Island in Kagoshima, Japan
Getting around Yakushima
How to get around Yakushima
Rent a car for flexibility; buses circle the coast but run infrequently. Trailheads like Arakawa use shuttle buses only.
Ways to get around Yakushima
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rental car | About 6,000–10,000 JPY a day | Roads are narrow, with wild deer and monkeys; book early |
| Yakushima local buses | About 200–800 JPY | Few departures; stop early in the evening |
| Trailhead shuttle buses | About 1,500–2,000 JPY return | Required for the Jomon Sugi route; check seasonal times |
| Taxi | From about 600 JPY | Pricey for long hops; trekking shuttles can be booked |
Taxis in Yakushima
- No ride-hailing apps operate here. No ride apps; taxis are few, so book trailhead pickups and airport rides ahead. Hotels and guesthouses can arrange them.
Arriving in Yakushima
Yakushima Airport (KUM)
Short flights from Kagoshima (about 40 min) and Fukuoka. Taxi to Miyanoura or Anbo about 20 min.
Via Kagoshima ferry port (KOJ)
Toppy and Rocket jetfoils from Kagoshima take about 2 hr to 2 hr 45 min, roughly 9,000–11,000 JPY one way.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Some rentals exist but rain and steep roads make it risky; needs a Japanese licence or a 1949 IDP.
- Driving: on the left. Bring a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; licences from Germany, France, Switzerland, Taiwan and a few others need a JAF translation.
- Onward travel in Japan: Shinkansen bullet trains link most cities fast but are pricey; the national JR Pass only pays off on long itineraries. Highway buses and budget flights are cheaper.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Yakushima?
No ride-hailing apps work here. No ride apps; taxis are few, so book trailhead pickups and airport rides ahead. Hotels and guesthouses can arrange them.
What's the best way to get around Yakushima?
Rent a car for flexibility; buses circle the coast but run infrequently. Trailheads like Arakawa use shuttle buses only.
How do I get from the airport to Yakushima?
Short flights from Kagoshima (about 40 min) and Fukuoka. Taxi to Miyanoura or Anbo about 20 min.
Is Yakushima walkable?
You'll need transport.
More about Yakushima
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Sources
- Japan Rail Pass (official)
- smartEX Shinkansen booking (Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu)
- Japan National Tourism Organization
- Yakushima Tourism Association
- Yakushima Town
- Kagoshima Prefecture tourism (Travel Kagoshima)
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.