Yakushima Jetfoil from Kagoshima

Yakushima, the rain soaked island of ancient cedars that helped inspire Princess Mononoke, sits off the southern tip of Kyushu, and the quickest sea route there is the high speed jetfoil from Kagoshima. The Toppy and Rocket boats skim across the water on hydrofoils, cutting the crossing to a fraction of the regular ferry time.

The crossing

Jetfoils ride above the swell on submerged wings, so the trip is faster and generally smoother than a conventional ferry, with services running to the island’s ports at Miyanoura and Anbo. On a clear day the departure gives you fine views back to the smoking cone of Sakurajima across Kagoshima Bay. Seats are allocated and passengers remain seated with belts on for most of the journey, more like a flight than a ferry ride.

Why Yakushima deserves the trip

The island’s mountain interior holds cedar trees measured in thousands of years, moss forests, and hiking routes from gentle boardwalk strolls to the full day pilgrimage to the great Jomon Sugi. Sea turtles nest on its beaches and waterfalls pour almost everywhere after rain, which the island receives in famous quantities. Two nights is a sensible minimum.

Getting there

Boats depart from the high speed ferry terminal at Kagoshima’s port, a short bus or taxi ride from Kagoshima-Chuo Station, which is the southern terminus of the Kyushu Shinkansen. Book ahead in holiday periods and check baggage rules, as jetfoils carry less luggage than regular ferries.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the crossing? Sailings take a couple of hours or so depending on the route and stops, roughly half the time of the car ferry.

Do I need to reserve? Yes, reservations are strongly recommended, especially in summer and around national holidays when island accommodation and boats fill together.

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