Activities
ActivitiesUnique activities to fill the heart amidst great outdoors of a Natural World Heritage site
Enjoy unique activities and sightseeing recommendations tailored to what inspires you. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, our personalized plans from a variety of experiences, including specialist guided hikes, snorkeling or sea kayaking in crystal-clear waters, and tours that let you get closer to the local culture.
*Availability may be limited during busy periods. Inquiring early to secure your preferred booking is recommended.
Meet Our Guides
Nobusuke Ohki
Certified Yakushima Guide, Certified Japan Mountain Guides Association Guide (Stage II Trekking Guide), National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English)
I have climbed many mountains throughout the world and Japan, but I’m always amazed by the nature of Yakushima. A microcosm of Japan’s delicate and varied natural environments, it’s a jewel in the crown of our global and national heritage. At Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima, we offer activities that give you a unique insight into the relationship between people and nature and how to perceive the natural expressions and rhythms of nature, elements which are often overlooked. I hope I can help people feel at one with nature and delve deeper into its majesty.
Yoshito Kawada
Basic Lifesaver (Japan Lifesaving Association), Japan Underwater Diving Federation (JUDF) Snorkeling Instructor, Stand-up paddleboarding instructor, Certified Japan Mountain Guides Association Guide (Stage I Trekking Guide)
What kind of flower is this? What’s making that sound? Why are old-growth forests so important?
In 1993, Yakushima became Japan’s first UNESCO Natural World Heritage site.
Among the four UNESCO criteria, Yakushima remains the only site in Japan recognized for its natural beauty.
This island is home to towering, rugged mountains that see up to two meters of snow in winter, coral reefs where sea turtles swim year-round, and one of the world’s oldest temperate primeval forests hidden deep within its heart—there’s truly no other place like it.
I hope to share my passion for Yakushima’s nature with you as we journey through its forests and waters and spark your curiosity every step of the way.