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You will have to take….what I like to call the ‘Hairy Monkey Drive’. This is an extremely narrow drive along the Western side of the island and a great place to see many monkeys behaving badly. The best way to get around the island is by renting a car. Even the lovely staff at the car rental place will warn you of this very winding cliff side drive.

The view however is spectacular!

There is also a beach 35 minutes drive from the Miyanoura Port called ‘Nagata Inaka-hama’ Beach or better know as ‘turtle beach’ to the foreigners. This is the one spot on the island where turtles come up onto land and lay their eggs.  Spawning season is from mid May to mid July.

About 5 minutes drive from the ‘Turtle Beach’ is Yakushima Light House. Like any good light house it had a very eerie feel about it.

There are also a large number of beautiful waterfalls on Yakusima Island. We counted approximately 30 waterfalls on our way up Mt. Miyanoura-dake. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of this one.

But, I do remember this one! This waterfall is called ‘Ono-no-taki’ or ‘Great River Falls’. According to my research this is the highest waterfall in Southern Kyushu with a drop of about 80 metres. This is by far the most breathe-taking waterfall on the island.

I had to leave the best picture till last. Check out this outdoor hot spring bath right on the ocean’s edge. And you have got to love the partition between the men and women! This may be a little confronting for some, but how’s the serenity!! Go back to your roots I say!

The end!

Welcome to Yakushima a small Island off the Southern Coast of Japan. Only a 35 minute plane ride from Kagoshima Airport (please excuse the advertisement for JAL).

Yakushima is almost a complete circle and takes approximately 3 hours to drive around. There is a twisting rugged coastal road on the Western side of the Island, called the Monkey Drive – only for the strong hearted…. But a great place to find playful red-faced monkeys.

 The landscape is very similar to tropical North Queensland with lush rainforests and crystal blue swimming holes (not your usual image of Japan). The highlight of the Island is the Jomon-Sugi  which is said to be between 6300-7200 years old! The oldest Cedar Tree in the world!! As the Japanese would say - ‘Berry Berry Old Tree’. The only thing is,  it takes a 5 to 6 hour hike up the mountain to be able to witness this monster of a tree.

As I am not much of a hiker, I went to the best next thing – 1000-2000 year old tree, which I think from memory is called the Daio-Sugi.

Along the way you can meet a few friends……this one looks a little evil, but very nice in person.

And check out the breath taking views from Mt. Miyanoura-dake, the highest peak on the Island.

To be continued…………..