Yakushima Newsletter August 2009

www.yakumonkey.com NEWSLETTER Issue #8

THE SUMMER SEASON August brings the height of the summer season and the first wave of this year's typhoons to Yakushima. Keep an eye out for typhoons south of Yakushima, even from a long distance away they can affect transportation

links due to high waves. A good weather site is listed on yakumonkey website under the video of a typhoon. Check it before you go. Also remember that this is a very busy time on the island and if you wish to avoid the crowds (and damaging the forest) avoid the temptation

AUGUST 2009

Yakushima but the trip can be a let down in August. If you have the guide book, try out some of the less trekked routes and experience the forest as it should be experienced. July saw the much anticipated eclipse darken the skies above Yakushima to strangely quiet viewing areas and through low cloud. It would appear that the island survived the onslaught of tourists and to most people there was very little difference from a normal week in summer.

The deer 'problem' There are somewhere around 7,000 Yaku shika deer on Yakushima island and the number is increasing every year. While this appears a good thing on the surface and allows many a photo opportunity for tourists, it • The deer 'problem' comes however at a • Arakawa Shuttle bus price.

In this Issue

to hike to Jomon sugi. It is admittedly the tree on everyone's lips when you mention

Undergrowth in many key parts of the island has decreased

•

Low tide times

dramatically due to the voracious appetite of the roaming deer. Many of these include saplings of the very trees which make Yakushima famous and without these next generation trees the forest is in danger. The numbers of deer increased dramatically after a decline in hunting and steadily less harsh winters and periodic questionnaires come round from the town hall as it decides what to do with them. Farmers have been holding a private war against the deer for some time now. The following is by no means an isolated example: A neighbour once came by with the cutest little bambi-like creature with big glistening eyes and a soft whimper. It was tied to the back of his

small pick-up and covered with a blue plastic sheet for the short journey from his plot of land to my workshop. He had caught it in a trap the night before. If such things were possible I would have instantly adopted it and brought it home as the newest member of family, given it a cute name and taken it for daily walks in the long grass. But alas, it was taken down the hill to the river, swiftly decapitated (with the head floating downstream), skinned, and sliced into cookable pieces for the night's dinner. Whatever the final decision may be over the fate of the Yaku shika, like it or not, I think it is likely that you will see more venison on the menus of Yakushima's restaurants as time goes on.

Arakawa Trail Entrance Travel Restrictions The stretch of road between Arakawa junction and the Arakawa Trail Entrance is closed to

traffic and walkers until September 22nd. The only way you can get to the Trail entrance is by shuttle bus, organised coach or taxi. By taxi: Taxis need a special 'ticket' which costs 250 yen and without it will not be allowed up. By bus: A shuttle bus will run from Yakusugi museum to Arakawa Trail Entrance and will cost (one way) ¥1000 for adults and ¥500 for (Elementary School) children. If you intend on returning on the bus you must purchase two one-way tickets prior to travelling. Both of the above tickets for the taxi and bus can only be bought the day before at the following places: • Airport Tourist Information Centre [Tel: 49-4010] Open 8.30am – 6pm • Miyanoura Tourist Information Centre [Tel: 42-1019] Open 8.30am – 5pm • Anbo Tourist Information Centre [Tel: 46-2333] Open

8.30am – 5pm • Yakusugi Museum [Tel: 463113] Open 9am – 6pm • Yakushima Environmental Culture Village Centre [Tel: 42-2900] Open 9am - 6pm If you don't use the ticket, you can get a refund. One half of the ticket is retained and is a coupon for use in Yakushima (so don't throw it away!)

The Shuttle bus Timetable: From Yakusugi museum car park: 6 buses - 4.45am, 5am, 5.15am, 5.30am (connects with the Matsubanda bus), 5.45 am (connects with the Yakushima Kotsu bus), 6am. From Arakawa Trail Entrance: 13 buses 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm, 3.45pm, 4pm, 4.15pm, 4.30pm (connects with the Matsubanda bus), 4.45pm, 5pm

(connects with the Yakushima Kotsu bus), 5.15pm, 5.30pm and 6pm.

Low tide times I have now added on the website the times (for August and September) for low tide in the morning and evening in Yakushima. This will be useful when visiting places like Hirauchi Seaside onsen which gets covered at high tide.

to sell it way above the published price. In Japan, amazon.co.jp bring the price up and down like a yo-yo. In the US, Barnes and Noble have it at $14.15 and lulu.com at $15.38. In Europe, you should be able to find it for around €12.50 or £10.95.

Yakumonkey Guide

Should you have any difficulty locating a copy of the guide wherever you may be let me know and I will see if I can help.

The guide book is now available to buy in Yakushima in the trail store at Yakusugiland and other outlets on the island.

Updates on the information in the guide book will be on yakumonkey.com website at 'the guide book page' link. Changes so far are to parts of the Matsubanda bus timetable which was revised after the guide book was published. Also the relocation of 'Andes' hiking store in Anbo and the closure of Cafe Green Shower in Yudomari.

If you buy it elsewhere look around for the lowest price as some booksellers are trying

Thank you.

If you come across any changes to details in the guide book, please let me know at www.yakumonkey.com

and then I can then inform everyone else.

Copyright © Clive Witham 2009