How to get to Yakushima
Yakushima Town, Kagoshima · World Heritage · 屋久杉
You reach Yakushima by boat from Kagoshima Main Port South Pier (High-Speed Ship Passenger Terminal), Nishinoomote Port (Tanegashima), Kagoshima Main Port South Pier or Taniyama Port. The fastest is the high-speed boat from Nishinoomote Port (Tanegashima) (50 min). The cheapest adult one-way fare is ¥3,900 from Taniyama Port. You can also fly from Kagoshima Airport, Fukuoka Airport or Osaka International Airport (Itami).
A round island about 135 km south of Kagoshima City, about 132 km around with an area of about 503 km². Recognized for its Yakusugi cedars, some thousands of years old, it was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in December 1993, together with Shirakami-Sanchi, as Japan's first. Population about 14,000.
Every way to get there
- Travel time
- 1 h 50 min
- Adult one-way
- ¥14,000
- Sailings
- 6 sailings a day (4 to Miyanoura, 2 to Anbo; 2 direct, the rest via Nishinoomote on Tanegashima)
- First boat
- 07:30
- Last boat there
- 14:45
- Last boat back
- 16:00
- Cars
- —
Jetfoil. Figures are for the winter timetable (Oct 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027; pending approval). Departures from Kagoshima: 7:30 (via Nishinoomote, Miyanoura 10:20), 8:00 (direct, Miyanoura 9:50), 10:00 (via Nishinoomote, Anbo 12:40), 13:00 (via Nishinoomote, Miyanoura 15:30), 13:30 (direct, Miyanoura 15:20), 14:45 (via Nishinoomote, Anbo 17:20). To Kagoshima: Anbo 7:00, Miyanoura 10:05, Miyanoura 10:40 (direct), Anbo 12:55, Miyanoura 15:45, Miyanoura 16:00 (direct). 110 min direct, 150-170 min via Nishinoomote. Adult one-way fare from May 11, 2026 (including the fuel surcharge). Reservations open 2 months before sailing; check in by 20 min before departure. The official site says nothing about carrying vehicles. The Ibusuki route has been suspended since Apr 1, 2026.
Sources (6 pages): www.tykousoku.jp
- Travel time
- 50 min
- Adult one-way
- ¥6,200
- Sailings
- 4 sailings a day (2 to Miyanoura, 2 to Anbo)
- First boat
- 09:30
- Last boat there
- 16:25
- Last boat back
- 15:45
- Cars
- —
A leg of the Kagoshima-Yakushima jetfoil. Figures are for the winter timetable (Oct 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027; pending approval). From Nishinoomote: 9:30 to Miyanoura 10:20, 11:45 to Anbo 12:40, 14:40 to Miyanoura 15:30, 16:25 to Anbo 17:20. To Tanegashima: Anbo 7:00, Miyanoura 10:05, Anbo 12:55, Miyanoura 15:45. Adult one-way fare from May 11, 2026 (including the fuel surcharge).
Sources (6 pages): www.tykousoku.jp
- Travel time
- 4 h
- Adult one-way
- ¥7,000
- Sailings
- 1 sailing a day (no service on some days)
- First boat
- 08:30
- Last boat there
- 08:30
- Last boat back
- 13:30
- Cars
- Allowed
Kagoshima 8:30 to Miyanoura 12:30; Miyanoura 13:30 to Kagoshima 17:40. Scheduled non-operating days: Oct 18, Oct 25, Nov 8, Nov 15, Nov 29, Dec 6, Dec 13, Dec 20, 2026, and Jan 1, Jan 3, Jan 10, Jan 17, Jan 24, 2027. Fare is the 2nd-class adult one-way fare from Oct 1, 2026, including a 500-yen fuel surcharge (fare table pending approval). Cars, motorcycles, bicycles and groups of 12 or more must book by phone (from 9:00, 2 months before sailing; TEL 099-226-0731). Passengers only need no reservation; tickets are sold only at the counter on the day.
Sources (6 pages): ferryyakusima2.com
- Travel time
- 13 h
- Adult one-way
- ¥3,900
- Sailings
- 1 sailing a day (no Sunday departure from Kagoshima). All sailings suspended Oct 5 to Nov 15, 2026 for dry dock
- First boat
- 18:00
- Last boat there
- 18:00
- Last boat back
- 08:10
- Cars
- Allowed
Suspended for dry dock from Oct 5 to Nov 15, 2026, so not operating as of Oct 15. Normally Taniyama 18:00 to Nishinoomote 21:40 (overnight on board), departing 5:00 next morning to Miyanoura 7:00. Miyanoura 8:10 to Nishinoomote 10:10 to Kagoshima (Taniyama) 14:40. No Monday departures from Tanegashima or Yakushima. 2nd-class adult one-way fare (including the fuel surcharge). Cars must book by phone (from 1 month before); passengers and motorcycles need no reservation (motorcycles limited to the first 10). On board there are only vending machines: no shop, restaurant or shower.
Sources (5 pages): www.yakushimaferry.com
- Travel time
- 40 min
- Adult one-way
- —
- Sailings
- —
- First boat
- —
- Last boat there
- —
- Last boat back
- —
JAC-operated flights listed as ANA codeshares in ANA's domestic timetable (Jul 1 to Oct 24, 2026, as of Mar 30) depart Kagoshima at 13:25, 15:25 (until Oct 20) and 17:50, and Yakushima at 11:45, 16:35 (until Oct 20) and 19:00 (35-40 min). Some flights carry only JAL flight numbers, so this may not be every flight. The JAL Group timetable and fare pages (jal.co.jp) could not be retrieved for this check, so the number of flights, first/last departures and fares for all flights are left blank.
Sources (2 pages): www.jac.co.jp・www.ana.co.jp
- Travel time
- 1 h 10 min
- Adult one-way
- —
- Sailings
- —
- First boat
- —
- Last boat there
- —
- Last boat back
- —
The JAC-operated ANA codeshare flight listed in ANA's domestic timetable (Jul 1 to Oct 24, 2026, as of Mar 30): Fukuoka 13:50 to Yakushima 15:00 (Sep 1 to Oct 24), Yakushima 15:30 to Fukuoka 16:45. The JAL Group timetable and fare pages (jal.co.jp) could not be retrieved for this check, so the number of flights, first/last departures and fares for all flights are left blank.
Sources (2 pages): www.jac.co.jp・www.ana.co.jp
- Travel time
- —
- Adult one-way
- —
- Sailings
- —
- First boat
- —
- Last boat there
- —
- Last boat back
- —
Japan Air Commuter's route map shows an Osaka (Itami)-Yakushima route. The JAL Group timetable and fare pages (jal.co.jp) could not be retrieved for this check, so the number of flights, first/last departures and fares for all flights are left blank. Flight time is also left blank.
Sources (2 pages): www.jac.co.jp
Common questions
How do I get to Yakushima?
You reach Yakushima by boat from Kagoshima Main Port South Pier (High-Speed Ship Passenger Terminal), Nishinoomote Port (Tanegashima), Kagoshima Main Port South Pier or Taniyama Port. The fastest is the high-speed boat from Nishinoomote Port (Tanegashima) (50 min). The cheapest adult one-way fare is ¥3,900 from Taniyama Port. You can also fly from Kagoshima Airport, Fukuoka Airport or Osaka International Airport (Itami).
Can I take my car to Yakushima?
The ferry from Kagoshima Main Port South Pier or Taniyama Port carries cars. Whether you can drive on the island itself depends on local rules, so check the island’s guidance.
What time is the last boat to and from Yakushima?
Kagoshima Main Port South Pier (High-Speed Ship Passenger Terminal): last boat to the island 14:45, last boat back 16:00. Nishinoomote Port (Tanegashima): last boat to the island 16:25, last boat back 15:45. Kagoshima Main Port South Pier: last boat to the island 08:30, last boat back 13:30. Taniyama Port: last boat to the island 18:00, last boat back 08:10. Times change by season, so check the official timetable.
Can I visit Yakushima as a day trip?
On the timetable, yes. Take the 07:30 from Kagoshima Main Port South Pier (High-Speed Ship Passenger Terminal), arrive around 09:20, and the last boat back leaves at 16:00: up to about 6 hours on the island. Some days have fewer sailings.