Itinerary
Islands of Tranquility: Yakushima, Amami & Yoron
12 days · 20 stops · ¥300,000–¥450,000 · 4 views
Tue, Sep 15 – Sat, Sep 26
Explore the lush nature of Yakushima, the serene beaches of Amami, and the cultural charm of Yoron over 12 days.
Days
Shiratani Unsuikyo
Kagoshima
Σ64 / CC BY 4.0
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
Tue, Sep 15 → Fri, Sep 18 · 1 guest
14:00
EXPLORE
白谷雲水峡
Stay ~1h 30m
No rail access — local bus from Miyanoura Port, ~25 min (¥560 one-way, ~4 round trips/day), or ~30 min by car
Shiratani Unsuikyo is a moss-covered cedar ravine on Yakushima, entered on payment of a ¥800 forest-maintenance levy at the trailhead hut — raised from ¥500 in April 2026. Allow about four hours for the full circuit through the moss forest and its ancient cedars. There is no railway: local buses from Miyanoura Port take about 25 minutes, cost ¥560 one way and run only about four times a day each way, so check the timetable before committing to it.
Getting around
🚄
JR Kyushu Rail Pass — All Kyushu Area
Close call — your rail estimates to ~¥24,650 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 →🚗
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
¥24,000–¥41,000 / person / day
¥290,000–¥490,000 total
💴 Carry ~¥5,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 19 travel legs and 11 hotel nights. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
Everything else, sorted.
Stay Connected
Japan eSIM delivered instantly to your phone — 5% off with code HIDDENJAPAN.
Get yours
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.
Get covered
Save on Exchange
Spend yen at the real mid-market rate. Saves real money on a 2-week trip.
Open free
Hidden Japan may earn a small commission on purchases — at no extra cost to you.
Your turn
Plan a trip like this — free
This itinerary was built from 2,650+ verified hidden places — real routes, ferries, and events matched to your dates. Yours takes about a minute.
No credit card, plan your first trip now!