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Itinerary
Island Enchantment: Yakushima, Amami, and Yoron
12 days · 22 stops · ¥180,000–¥300,000 · 2 views
Explore the mystical forests of Yakushima, the vibrant culture of Amami, and the serene beaches of Yoron, each offering a unique slice of island life.
Days
Yakushima
Kagoshima
Schedule
Day 01 of 12Getting there
Day 1Kagoshima
≈ 2h
Miyanoura PortToppy & Rocket (Tane-Yaku Jetfoil) · Jetfoil from Kagoshima (~2h)
Slower car ferry (~4h) also runs daily
Getting around: Rental car — essential for the cedar-forest trailheads
Renting a car? Check the license rules
Some licenses (FR/DE/CH/BE/TW) need a JAF translation, not an IDP — 5-min guide.
Stay
Yakushima · 3 nights
Sat, Sep 5 → Tue, Sep 8 · 1 guest
14:00
EXPLORE
屋久島
Stay ~2h
Begin your adventure by immersing yourself in the mystical forests that inspired Ghibli's 'Princess Mononoke'. The lush greenery is a perfect introduction to the island's natural beauty.
Getting around, region by region
Your route mixes city and countryside — here's the best mode for each leg.
Yakushima → Amami Oshima · Days 1–8
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Nagasaki · Day 9
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Nagasaki → Yakushima · Days 10–12
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Rental car: pick up in Yakushima (Day 1), drop off after Yakushima (Day 12). Skip it for the city legs.
Browse rental cars on Klook →Getting around
🚆
Kyushu Rail Pass
Your trip stays within Kyushu. The All-Kyushu 5-day pass (from ¥18,000) covers all shinkansen and limited express trains — far better value than a full JR Pass.
View Kyushu Rail Pass →🚗
Rental car recommended
Several stops on this route are in rural areas with limited rail access. A rental car from the nearest city hub gives you the freedom to reach places no bus serves.
Browse rental cars on Klook →⛴️
Ferry required
At least one destination is accessible only by ferry. Book in advance — island ferries sell out weeks ahead in peak season (Apr–May, Jul–Aug).
Browse ferry options on Klook →01 / 12
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥23,000–¥39,500 / person / day
¥275,000–¥475,000 total
💴 Carry ~¥5,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 20 travel legs and 11 hotel nights. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
Everything you need, sorted.
Is a JR pass worth it for this trip?
Rough estimate · based on trip distances
Close call — your rail estimates to ~¥23,383 vs ¥24,000 for the JR Kyushu Pass (All, 5-day). Rule of thumb: a 7-day JR Pass usually pays off only with 2+ long shinkansen round-trips (e.g. Tokyo→Kyoto→Hiroshima). Check the official fares for your routes.
Check official coverage
Stay Connected
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Get Around
Shinkansen, regional rail passes, and city transit — sorted before you land.
Compare passes
Stay Hidden
Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
Browse ryokans
Travel Light
Ship luggage ahead on the shinkansen route. Explore every day completely hands-free.
Book delivery
Travel Safe
Insurance that actually covers adventurous travel — hiking, onsen, ski slopes.
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