Yakushima
Welcome to Yakushima, a Temperate island in the Eastern China Sea, part of the majestic Pacific Ocean. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of what makes Yakushima unique – from its geography and climate to its population, infrastructure, and beyond. Dive into the details:
- Geography and Size: Explore the island’s size and location.
- Climate and Weather: Weather patterns and temperature.
- Topography and Nature: Uncover the natural wonders of the island.
- Infrastructure and Travelling: Insights on reaching, staying, and making the most of your visit.
- News and Headlines: Latest News.
Geography and size of Yakushima
Size: 503.2 km²
Coastline: 128.6 km
Ocean: Pacific Ocean
Sea: Eastern China Sea
Continent: Asia
Yakushima is a Large Island spanning 503 km² with a coastline of 129 km.
Archipel: Ryukyu Islands – A chain of Japanese islands stretching southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan, known for their unique Okinawan culture and subtropical climate.
Tectonic Plate: Okinawa – Located in the East China Sea, near the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan, it’s involved in the subduction zone between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
The geographic heart of the island is pinpointed at these coordinates:
Latitude: 30.33928615 / Longitude: 130.52209739
Climate and weather of Yakushima
Climate Zone: Temperate
Climate Details: Humid Subtropical Climate
Temperature: Hot Summer
Climate Characteristics: With continuous rainfall and hot summers, this climate is common in some coastal regions, supporting diverse vegetation.
Topography and nature of Yakushima
Timezone: UTC+09:00
Timezone places: Asia/Tokyo
Max. Elevation: 1936 m Miyanoura-dake
Mean Elevation: 646 m
Vegetation: Evergreen Needleleaf Forest
Tree Coverage: 84%
The mean elevation is 646 m. Dominating the island’s landscape, the majestic “Miyanoura-dake” rises as the highest peak, soaring to impressive heights. The island is characterized by Mountains: High, steeply elevated landforms. Characterized by both a high maximum elevation (over 500 meters) and a high mean elevation, creating rugged, mountainous terrains on islands.
Dominating Vegetation: Evergreen Needleleaf Forest
Dominated by evergreen coniferous trees such as pines and firs, which retain their needle-like leaves throughout the year. These forests are often found in cooler climates. Yakushima has a tree cover of 84 %.
Vegetation: 9 vegetation zones – Very Highly Diverse Island
Islands in this range are ecological powerhouses, showcasing a wide array of vegetation zones. Each zone, from lush rainforests to arid scrublands, coastal mangroves to mountainous regions, contributes to a complex and interdependent ecosystem. These islands are often hotspots of biodiversity, supporting numerous species and intricate ecological processes.
Infrastructure and Travelling to Yakushima
Does the island have a public airport? yes.
Yakushima has a public and scheduled airport. The following airports are located on this island: Yakushima Airport.
Does the island have a major port? no.
There are no major ports on Yakushima. The closest major port is KIIRE, approximately 102 km away.
The mean population of Yakushima is 24 per km². Yakushima is Gently Populated. The island belongs to Japan.
The name of the island resonates across different cultures and languages. Here is how it is known around the world: Arabic: ياكوشيما; Spanish: Yakushima; French: Yakushima; Portuguese: Yakushima; Russian: Якусима; Chinese: 屋久島
Continuing your journey, Kuchinoerabu-jima is the next notable island, situated merely km away.
Yakushima: an Oasis of Unspoilt Nature | World Natural Heritage in Japan
Japan is classified as Developed region: G7: Group of Seven – Major advanced economies, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The level of income is High income: OECD.
News – Latest Updates and Headlines from Yakushima
Stay informed with the most recent news and important headlines from Yakushima. Here’s a roundup of the latest developments.
Please note: The data used here has been primarily extracted from satellite readings. Deviations from exact values may occur, particularly regarding the height of elevations and population density. Land area and coastline measurements refer to average values at mean high tide.