JP155Yakushima and Tanegashima islands

Site Description

Forest

Tanegashima is a long and undulating island lying north and south, with its highest point at 282 m. It is located at about 35 km south of Ohsumi Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture. There are some roads and houses along ridgeways and on flatlands near the sea, and some forests remain along valleys. Mageshima, an islet at 7 km west of Tanegashima, is an uninhabited islet of smooth shore terrace, having its highest point at 71 m, covered with some forests and shrubs. Recently a large stone crushing plant on the island has become a controversial problem. Yakushima island is located at 50 km south of Ohsumi Peninsula. The central part of Yakushima is mountainous granitic terrain rising 1,800 m high that includes Mt.Miyanouradake (1,935 m). Forest belts extend deep into the island that has many large stout trees of Cyryptomeria japonica, Chamaecyparis obtusa, and many other endemic species. Kuchinoerabujima, located 12km northwest of Yakushima, is a gourd-shaped volcanic island with its highest point at 657 m. Around these islands are some islets that hold breeding grounds for Roseate Tern and others.

Area & Coordinates

50,455ha 30°20′N 130°32′E
region: Kyushu Region, Kagoshima

Category

A2

Designation Type

National Park, Wilderness Area, World Heritage

Protection Status

Protected

Conservation issues

• Recreation/tourism
• Disturbance to birds
• Infrastructure
• Extraction of industry
• Deforestation (commercial)