The Yakushima Traverse In May of 2009, I hiked the Yakushima Traverse across the Island of Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. This island lies just south of the principal southern island of Kyushu. The island is on UNESCO's World Heritage list due to its incredible beauty and untouched old growth cedar forests. Taking the ferry from the city of Kagoshima to Yakushima is a wonderful experience due to the island’s topography: Yakushima is a small island that rises abruptly out of the water, which creates a dramatic effect. The mountains on the island exceed 6000 feet and the highest mountain, Myanura Dake, is considered sacred by many Japanese and a right of passage for many living on the island of Kyushu.
Click above for photos from my Yakushima Traverse.
Click above to view the location of all Yakushima Traverse photos.