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Off the southern coast of Kyushu, Yakushima is an island where nature writes its own symphony. Waves break rhythmically against volcanic rocks, waterfalls thunder in hidden valleys, and streams murmur softly through moss-draped forests. For travelers seeking a deeper connection with nature and art, the World Heritage Yakushima Sound Art Premium Tour offers a rare invitation to experience Yakushima not only visually, but audibly, and spiritually.
Unlike conventional sightseeing tours, Sound Art is designed around the themes of “Legacy” and “Sound.” Every step, every pause, and every moment of quiet listening is carefully orchestrated to create an intimate dialogue between humans and the island’s natural voice.
By the end of the World Heritage Yakushima Sound Art Premium Tour experience, guests carry home more than images—they take with them the resonance of Yakushima: the rhythm of the ocean and the whispers of the forest in harmony with a live performance in nature.
Yakushima Tour Guided by an Expert in Forestry and Photography
The tour is led by professional guide Tabira Takuya who has a background in forestry and photography. Having studied Yakushima’s forests firsthand, he uses his deep familiarity of the island to find spectacular locations for nature documentaries, music videos, commercials, and feature films, including productions by NHK and TBS.
His intimate knowledge of Yakushima’s terrain and history allows him to lead visitors to secret spots where the essence of the island is felt in every sound and sight. Guided by his keen eye for natural beauty, guests are sure to experience an unforgettable tour across one of Japan’s most secluded locations.
Choose Your Own Premium Yakushima Adventure
World Heritage Yakushima Sound Art Premium Tour offers two different courses that awaken the senses. Unlike conventional tourism, this journey encourages travelers to slow down, move gently, and listen deeply to engage with the natural environment through sight, sound, touch, smell, and emotion. In doing so, they connect with the essence of Yakushima, not as visitors, but as participants in its living story.
For those who appreciate nature, art, and exploration, the World Heritage Yakushima Sound Art Premium Tour provides a rare opportunity to encounter Yakushima in a way few travelers ever will—through listening, feeling, and experiencing the hidden symphony of Yakushima.
One-Day Tour Plan 01: Mossy Forest
Visitors are invited to pause, listen, and fully attune to the forest. The World Heritage Yakushima Sound Art Premium Tour guide emphasizes the island’s acoustic landscape: the delicate drip of water from leaves, the faint hum of insects, and the whispers of wind brushing through the branches.
Awaken the Senses on a Sacred Site in Yakushima
The journey begins at Ushidoko Moisho (牛床詣所), a sacred site for mountain worship. Surrounded by the serene energy of the forest, this site serves as a gateway to Yakushima’s spiritual heart. Light filters gently through the towering cedars, illuminating the forest floor, where moss carpets every stone and root. The soft rustle of leaves and distant calls of birds set the stage for the immersive experience ahead.
An Immersive Walk through the Mossy Forest of Yakushima
From here, visitors move toward Shiratani Unsuikyo (白谷雲水峡), renowned for its verdant moss forests, ancient cedar trees and clear streams. Here, the landscape appears timeless. Among the serene nature, visitors will take a quiet moment to mindfully take in the atmosphere. Following this meditation, the Special Concert in the Forest performed by Uchida Akira adds another voice to the forests symphony in perfect harmony.
Hear Quiet Pulse of Yakushima on the Shore of Miyanoura River
On the return journey, visitors are guided to the Miyanoura River (宮之浦川), one of Yakushima’s most iconic waterways. Flowing from the heart of the mountains, the river winds gracefully through Yakushima’s ancient forests before reaching the sea. Pausing here, visitors can sense the quiet pulse of Yakushima itself, carried gently in the flow of water.
World Heritage Yakushima Sound Art Premium Tour Mossy Forest Route Info
The one-day tour departs from THE HOTEL YAKUSHIMA OCEAN & FOREST at 1pm and is scheduled to return to the hotel at 5:30pm. A dedicated vehicle will be used during the tour, but for the forest walks, rainwear, sports shoes, and warm clothing are recommended.
Date: November 25 (Tue), 27 (Thu), 29 (Sat), 2025
Time: 1pm-5:30pm
Price: 36,000 JPY
Reserve your tickets here.
One-Day Tour Plan 02: Seibu Rindo Forest Path
The second itinerary explores Seibu Rindo Forest Path, a trail famed for its pristine beauty and biodiversity. It is also part of the World Natural Heritage site. Towering trees frame the path, some of them centuries-old, and the occasional glimpse of wildlife—a macaque or deer—adds to the feeling of being deep within a primeval world.
The Seibu Rindo Forest Path tour is designed as a retreat into Yakushima’s natural rhythm. Through walking, listening, and mindful observation, participants experience not just scenery, but the emotional and sensory depth of the island.
Walk through a Forest of Massive Ancient Trees in Yakushima
This peaceful forest walk is about a 30-minute round-trip. A highlight of this tour is one of Yakushima’s largest Akou trees (アコウの木). Its massive roots spread widely across the forest floor, radiating vitality and a sense of permanence.
Around this natural monument, the Special Concert in the Forest is performed, blending musical notes with the ambient sounds of the environment: rustling leaves, birdsong, and the gentle whisper of the wind. The result is a unique, ephemeral experience that unites art and nature in perfect harmony.
Witness the Sunset on the Beaches of Yakushima
As the day wanes, travelers are guided to Nagata Inakahama (永田いなか浜), a serene white-sand beach known as Japan’s largest nesting ground for sea turtles. As the sun sinks slowly into the Pacific painting the sky and water with gorgeous sunset hues, waves whisper against the shore in rhythm with the gentle sea breeze.
This sunset moment offers a meditative pause, a time to reflect upon the day’s journey and absorb all of the sights and sounds of Yakushima.
World Heritage Yakushima Sound Art Premium Tour Seibu Rindo Forest Path Info
The one-day tour departs from THE HOTEL YAKUSHIMA OCEAN & FOREST at 1pm and is scheduled to return to the hotel at 6pm. A dedicated vehicle will be used during the tour, but for the forest walks, rainwear, sports shoes, and warm clothing are recommended.
Date: November 26 (Wed), 28 (Fri), 30 (Sun), 2025
Time: 1pm-6pm
Price: 36,000 JPY
Reserve your tickets here.
Special Concert in the Forest by Uchida Akira
A centerpiece of the Sound Art Premium Tour is the Special Concert in the Forest, led by Uchida Akira—an acclaimed musician, piano tuner, and clavichord maker. Uchida has crafted instruments for world-renowned artists, including Sakamoto Ryuichi of the Yellow Magic Orchestra. His extraordinary instruments are created from reclaimed wood from Kyoto’s famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Uchida emphasizes the craftsmanship behind each instrument, showing how tuning, making, and performing are intimately connected in the pursuit of musical expression. In the forest, Uchida performs on hand-crafted instruments, allowing music to intertwine naturally with Yakushima’s ambient sounds. Each note rings out alongside bird calls, leaf rustles, and flowing water, creating a living dialogue between human artistry and nature’s own composition.
These meditative performances offer guests a rare opportunity to witness the intersection of art, sound, and untouched wilderness. With each stroke upon the clavichord the forest itself seems to resonate, tying the whole experience together. These sounds, intertwined with the island’s natural beauty, leave a lasting impression that continues to echo in memory long after the journey concludes.
If the concert is cancelled due to poor weather, it will be performed at during the separate Sound Art Dinner program—an immersive experience savoring the sounds of Yakushima’s nature.
Extend Your Yakushima Experience
Enhance your World Heritage Yakushima Sound Art Premium Tour with an overnight stay at THE HOTEL YAKUSHIMA OCEAN & FOREST, featuring ocean and forest-view rooms that capture the island’s natural beauty. For a truly unique evening, join the Sound Art Dinner, a multi-course meal highlighting seasonal ingredients from Yakushima and Kagoshima, paired with immersive soundscapes inspired by the island’s forests and streams. Together, these experiences offer a luxurious way to enjoy Yakushima’s world heritage nature with all five senses.
The accommodation plan starts from 29,400 JPY to 50,300 JPY.
