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Kayaking in Yakushima

©Yakushima Town　　

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Kayaking in Yakushima

Try forest bathing by boat and other outdoor activities in the Anbo River valley on this UNESCO-registered island

Yakushima Town, Kagoshima Prefecture

Yakushima, the UNESCO World Heritage island off the southern coast of Kyushu, is renowned for its beautiful mountains, primeval temperate rainforest, and water, which flows from its steep mountains down to the ocean.

Yakushima is sometimes called “the island of water,” and its pristine water is the source of its famously rich nature—and can play host to all kinds of water-based activities.

The Anbo River is one of the most popular spots to try outdoor activities like stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking, due to the proximity of the river mouth and the deep, green forests that envelop both banks of this V-shaped valley. The water is crystal clear and, in the spring, the valley is awash with fresh green as the trees sprout new leaves.

Viewed from the perspective of the river, the forest above appears lush and dense, and the journey is relaxing and rejuvenating. If you've heard of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), then this is “forest bathing by boat”— Adventure tourism that is an extraordinary escape from daily life.

How to get there

From Haneda Airport, take a flight to Kagoshima Airport (about 2 hours). From Kagoshima Airport, take a flight (about 40 minutes) or a high-speed boat (about 2–3 hours) to Anbo Port on Yakushima. Anbo River is about 10 minutes on foot from Anbo Port.

Anbo, Yakushima Town, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima-ken