InsideJapan News Network

The island of Yakushima in Japan offers visitors a "lush escape" from the "urban grind" which can be seen in many of the country's large cities and towns, it has been said.

Writing for Forbes Traveler, Anthony Grant said that the area boasts plants that are from subtropical and cold temperate areas.

He went on to point out that the area helped to inspire the anime fantasy film Princess Mononoke, which is thought to be the highest grossing movie in the history of Japanese cinema.

The area is also "dense with ancient Yakusugicedar trees in a sylvan landscape", he said.

Speaking to the source, Nori Akashi, from the Japan National Tourism Organisation, said that the island is also relatively easy to get to for those wishing to visit.

"You can fly from Tokyo's Haneda airport to Kagoshima (100 minutes), then from Kagoshima to Yakushima Airport (40 minutes)," they said.

The island is around 60 kilometres south from the southern end of the Osumi Peninsula and a fifth of the area is deemed a natural heritage site.

Written by Kimberley Homer.


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