Yakushima aka: 屋久島

I live on Yakushima and put together some links about the island on a web page: http://yakushima.50webs.com/.

On a hard foundation of volcanic rock, the soil of Yakushima is less than a meter deep, and the tree’s roots expand on the surface. With little ressources, the Yakusugi, Yakushima’s great cedar trees, grow less than a millimeter thicker every year, making them extremely dense trees that can resist to heavy rains, bugs, disease, and rot. The Yakusugi is nearly immortal. The oldest tree on the island, Jômon Sugi, is believed to be between 2000 and 7200 years old. On Yakushima, Cedar trees wich are less than 1000 years old, no matter how impressive, are simply called kosugi, or little cedars.

Every year, the isaland of Yakushima is subjected to the violent typhoons of the pacific, scoarching it’s trees and tearing branches off. To recover, the whole forest slowly radiates a substance called phytoncide, patiently healing it’s wounds. It is said that simply standing in the forest of Yakushima has healing powers.

Great mountains, sea, flying fish and people.

Great place for hiking, canoeing, exploring, or just relaxing.