Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · Asia

Berlin to southern Kyushu: Kagoshima and Yakushima

Berlin → Kagoshima → Yakushima

Yakushima
"Forest on Yakushima from Route 592.jpg" by Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Yakushima (Yakushima)
Photo: NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

An active volcano & ancient cedar forest Best season (general guide): Mar–May, Oct–Nov

Southern Kyushu is warm, volcanic and green. This route spends two nights in Kagoshima and four on Yakushima. From Berlin you'll connect via Tokyo or another hub to Kagoshima. Kagoshima faces Sakurajima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, across the bay. A short ferry crosses to the volcano, where lava fields and viewpoints can be visited.

How to pace it: Spend days one and two in Kagoshima: day one, ferry to Sakurajima; day two, Sengan-en garden. Then spend days three to six on Yakushima: day three, fly or ferry to Yakushima; day four, Shiratani Unsuikyō; day five, Jōmon Sugi hike; day six, coast and hot springs.

Sengan-en, a garden of the Shimadzu lords, uses the volcano as borrowed scenery. Yakushima, an island south of Kyushu, is listed by UNESCO for its forests of ancient Japanese cedars. Some trees are thought to be thousands of years old. Jōmon Sugi, the most famous cedar, is reached on a long hike. Shiratani Unsuikyō is a ravine of moss-covered rocks and streams, said to have inspired a famous animated film.

Yakushima is one of the wettest places in Japan, so rain is part of the experience. Spring and autumn are the best seasons.

Good to know: Ferries and flights link Kagoshima and Yakushima. Bring good rain gear and boots, and start the Jōmon Sugi hike early.

Kagoshima's trams make it easy to get around the city, and the ferry to Sakurajima runs often. On Yakushima, buses link the main villages, but a rental car gives more freedom to reach the trailheads. Accommodation on the island is limited, so book ahead in the busy seasons. The island's forest trails can be slippery, so wear boots with good grip. Allow a rest day on the coast after the long hike, with a soak in one of the hot springs by the sea. Kagoshima ramen and black pork are local specialities. Kagoshima's shōchū, a spirit distilled from sweet potato, is served in most local bars and restaurants.

Suggested outline

  1. Berlin

    Start

  2. Kagoshima

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    A bay city facing an active volcano.

    Sakurajima from Kagoshima city
    "Sakurajima Port and Kagoshima City Sakurajima Fishing Park from ship of Sakurajima Ferry.jpg" by そらみみ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  3. Yakushima

    By air · 4 nights suggested

    An island of ancient cedars and mossy forest.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Kagoshima — Arrive; ferry to Sakurajima· Berlin → Kagoshima (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Kagoshima — Sengan-en garden
  3. Day 3 · Yakushima — Fly or ferry to Yakushima· Kagoshima → Yakushima (by air)
  4. Day 4 · Yakushima — Shiratani Unsuikyō
  5. Day 5 · Yakushima — Jōmon Sugi hike
  6. Day 6 · Yakushima — Coast and hot springs
  7. Day 7 · Yakushima — Travel home from Yakushima· Yakushima → Berlin (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Kagoshima

More about Kagoshima →

Plan the trip: Kagoshima

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Yakushima

More about Yakushima →

Plan the trip: Yakushima

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.