A place straight out of a fairy tale

I first heard about Yakushima when I was around 18 or 19, back when I was watching a lot of anime. After seeing Princess Mononoke, one of Hayao Miyazaki's beautiful films, I became curious about the real places that had inspired its magical forests. That's how I discovered Yakushima, and ever since then, I'd dreamed of visiting this little island in Japan. I could hardly believe I was finally there, so many years later!

Princess Mononoke tells a story about the relationship between humans, nature, and the spirits that protect the forest. And it's easy to understand why Yakushima inspired its world. This UNESCO World Heritage island is home to ancient cedar forests, some of the oldest trees in Japan, and an incredible amount of rain that keeps everything covered in lush green vegetation. The famous Yakusugi cedars are over 1,000 years old, while Jomon Sugi, the island's most celebrated tree, is estimated to be somewhere between 2,000 and 7,000 years old!

I stayed in two different parts of the island and spent my days exploring its forests, including the magical Shiratani Unsuikyo and the long hike to Jomon Sugi. I was absolutely amazed by everything around me. The enormous trees, twisted roots, moss-covered rocks, little wooden bridges, and endless shades of green made the forests feel like something straight out of a fairy tale. Every few steps, I wanted to stop and take another photograph.

I'd been hoping for some beautiful mist in the forests, but surprisingly, I didn't get very much of it. Still, the landscapes were beyond anything I'd imagined. Yakushima is incredibly wild, with frequent rain and weather that can change so quickly. That wet climate is part of what makes the island so special, although the ancient cedars also owe their remarkable longevity to their slow growth and resilient wood.

Getting around wasn't always easy without a rental car, especially when trying to reach the mountain trails using the infrequent local buses. But every bit of effort was worth it. I also got to enjoy some of the island's natural hot springs, which were incredibly hot!

I honestly wish I'd had more time there. After dreaming about this place for so many years, finally walking through those forests was something I'll never forget. Yakushima was every bit as magical as I'd hoped, and perhaps even more so in real life.