I travelled to Yakushima this year in April. The purpose was to see this 7000 yr old cedar tree called Jomon Sugi by the locals. To get to yakushima, we caught the rocket ferry (fast ferry) from Kagoshima.We stayed at the Youth Hostel there and it was clean comfortable accomodation with english speaking host. We were given very clear directions and maps on how to climb to Jomon Sugi. The next morning, we set off around 430am very early to catch a bus to the starting point of the walk. By the time the bus got there , it was alredy 6am. It took us 5 hours to get to Jomon Sugi and another 5 hrs to get back to the starting point .. we saw monkeys, birds,snakes, lots of unusual mountain plants, streams, rivers.. it was just all very well preserved. The walk is very well maintained..and most of the time, you walked on the old railway.. or on wooden steps. sometimes, you will have only dirt tracks and tree roots and rocks to walk on. By the end of the whole walk, I think we were all ready to catch the bus and get back for a shower at the hostel. Good things too about Yakushima is the seafood there, the wagyu beef there. The Japanese people there are so friendly.. and we met one that spends a whole week trekking around Yakushima. Its an amazing island to go to.