Itinerary
Ancient Cedars & Island Rhythms: Yakushima to Amami
10 days · 23 stops · ¥230,000–¥330,000
Sat, May 1 – Mon, May 10
Ten days tracing two of Kagoshima's wildest islands — Yakushima's primeval cedar forests and Amami Oshima's mangrove-lined beaches — by rental car, with quiet trails and hidden coasts instead of resorts.
Days
Miyanoura Village
Kagoshima
Yasu / CC BY-SA 3.0
Schedule
Day 01 of 10Land at KOJ · Sat, May 1 · from JFK · 2 travelers
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 · 5 nights
Sat, May 1 → Thu, May 6 · 2 guests
17:00
EXPLORE
宮之浦
Stay ~1h 30m
No rail access (Yakushima has no railway) — Miyanoura Port: jetfoil (Toppy/Rocket) direct from Kagoshima ~1h50m, or the car-carrying Ferry Yakushima 2 (slower)
A gentle evening stroll through Yakushima's main port village, with dinner at a local soba shop. Note: this is Golden Week, Japan's busiest travel week — expect big crowds and book everything early.
Getting around
🚄
JR Kyushu Rail Pass — All Kyushu Area
Matched to your route — one pass instead of point-to-point tickets on the rail legs.
View JR Kyushu Rail Pass — All Kyushu Area →🚗
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 / 10
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥14,000–¥25,000 / person / day
¥275,000–¥500,000 total for 2 travellers
💴 Carry ~¥9,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 22 travel legs and 9 hotel nights. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
Passes for this trip
✓ Matched to your route
JR Kyushu Rail Pass — All Kyushu Area
Covers the rail legs on this route — one pass instead of point-to-point tickets.
View this pass
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Get Around
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Stay Hidden
Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
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Ship luggage ahead on the shinkansen route. Explore every day completely hands-free.
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