Home » Yakushima, Tanegashima & Ibusuki’s Rapeseed Blossoms Journey 5 Days

In Search of Early Japanese Spring Landscapes

Yakushima, Tanegashima & Ibusuki’s Rapeseed Blossoms Journey 5 Days

Meeting Point: Haneda Airport

Finish Point: Haneda Airport

Recommended Season: December, January and February

Duration: 5 days

Tour Code: KYU0001

Contact Us

Tour Highlights

Experience early spring scenery amongst the rapeseed blossoms of Ibusuki and Lake Ikeda

Stay overnight on Tanegashima, an island rich in history and natural beauty, gateway to the cosmos

Explore Yakushima by private coach on a complete island circuit with minimal walking whilst encountering the ancient Yakusugi cedars

Message from Tour Planner

Tanegashima and Yakushima, situated in the Satsunan Islands, lie adjacent to one another yet harbour entirely different charms—one an island of history, the other a World Natural Heritage site. Yakushima, Japan’s premier World Natural Heritage destination, captivates with its pristine wilderness sprawling across unique terrain dominated by Mount Miyanoura at 1,936 metres. We connect this remarkable island with Tanegashima—a fascinating blend of historical significance from the introduction of firearms and futuristic space exploration—via high-speed ferry for a combined visit. Whilst Yakushima often conjures images of lengthy treks, we have crafted an itinerary requiring minimal walking. You may leisurely appreciate Yakushima’s magnificent nature and the ancient Yakusugi cedars, some 3,000 years old. Alongside these two islands, we have timed this journey to coincide with the rapeseed blossom season around Mount Kaimon and Lake Ikeda, where mainland Japan’s earliest spring scenery unfolds, creating a tour celebrating Japan’s early spring.

Contact Us

Recommended Program

Early Spring Landscapes of Ibusuki’s Rapeseed Blossoms—Earlier Than Mainland Japan

In Ibusuki, rapeseed blossoms begin flowering from mid-December—amongst the earliest in the nation—continuing until mid-February. The area surrounding Lake Ikeda, Kyushu’s largest caldera lake, presents a spectacular vista of approximately 940,000 rapeseed plants in bloom. Beyond this golden carpet rises Mount Kaimon, known as “Satsuma Fuji,” creating a picture-postcard landscape of extraordinary beauty.

Rapeseed fields at Lake Ikeda with Mount Kaimon (Image)

Yakushima Island Circuit by Private Coach—Savouring Mountain and Coastal Beauty

Yakushima, renowned for its ancient cedars and designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, preserves Japan’s most precious primeval forests. Mountains rise directly from the coastline, and long isolation from the outside world has preserved this untouched wilderness. Whilst Yakushima is famous for the ancient “Jomon Cedar”—trees over 2,000 years old—visiting this particular specimen requires a 10-hour return trek, leading many to believe that “Yakushima requires extensive hiking.” However, Yakushima offers abundant rewards without mountaineering. We explore the island by coach on a complete circuit, appreciating both mountain grandeur and coastal beauty—the dual charms that define Yakushima’s appeal. Our route encompasses the island’s most spectacular viewpoints.

Kigen Cedar is accessible by vehicle approach
Senpiro Falls—one of Yakushima’s characteristic water features

Minimal Walking Routes to Experience the Yakusugi Cedars

For those wishing to witness “the giant cedars and beautiful moss” that define Yakushima, rest assured. At Yakusugi Land near the Yakusugi Natural Museum and the beautiful Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, well-maintained walking paths allow leisurely exploration whilst viewing the giant “Yakusugi” cedars. Yakusugi Land offers various primeval forests including Yakusugi over 1,000 years old, fir, and hemlock trees. Here, accompanied by birdsong and the murmur of streams, we enjoy approximately one hour’s walking along maintained paths. At Shiratani Unsuikyo, we follow a circular 2-kilometre trail, immersing ourselves in Yakushima’s dramatically varied natural splendour.

Yakusugi Land—even beginner routes reveal various Yakusugi species (Image) © K．P．V．B
Shiratani Unsuikyo (Image) © K．P．V．B

Tanegashima—The Historic Island of Firearm Introduction

Despite lying adjacent to Yakushima, which draws attention as a World Natural Heritage site, Tanegashima often remains overlooked. Since the Kamakura period, Tanegashima served as Japan’s southern frontier facing China and the Ryukyu Kingdom, governed by the Tanegashima clan as a strategically vital location. It flourished as the centre of twelve islands including Yakushima and Amami Oshima. Nishinoomote, where high-speed ferries from Kagoshima arrive, served as the Tanegashima clan’s stronghold—Japan’s southernmost castle town of that era. Additionally, Tanegashima’s modern face looking towards the future—the Tanegashima Space Center—ensures the island’s attractions remain inexhaustible.

Cape Kadokura at Tanegashima’s southern tip, where the Firearm Introduction Memorial stands © K．P．V．B
Japan’s prestigious Space Center is located on Tanegashima © K．P．V．B

Kaseda Fumoto Samurai Residence Quarter in Satsuma

During the Edo period, the Shimazu family’s 770,000-koku domain established settlements called “fumoto” where samurai resided to handle regional politics and military affairs. These “fumoto” still preserve samurai residences today, with their substantial stone walls and hedged compounds displaying dignified architectural character. We visit Kaseda, designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings as a Satsuma “fumoto.” Kaseda flourished as a Satsuma domain outer castle, where samurai residences from over a century ago remain preserved to this day.

Kaseda Fumoto samurai residences. (Photo courtesy: Minami-Satsuma City Tourism Association)
Contact Us

Itinerary

5 Days

City

Schedule

Meal
Included

Day 1

Haneda Airport  Kagoshima Airport Tanegashima Airport / Tanegashima

■ Morning departure from Haneda Airport by aircraft to Kagoshima Airport.

■ Upon arrival, connect to onward flight to Tanegashima Airport.

■ Transfer to hotel upon arrival at Tanegashima Airport.

(Overnight: Tanegashima)

✖

✖

D

Day 2

Tanegashima /　Tanegashima/Nishinoomote Port Yakushima/Anbo Port / Yakushima

■ Morning visits to Hirota Archaeological Museum and Tanegashima Space Center (Space Science & Technology Museum).

■ Afternoon sightseeing: Cape Kadokura, Sakai Shrine’s Giant Cycad, Male and Female Dragon Rocks, and Firearms Museum.

■ Ferry transfer to Yakushima.

■ Transfer to hotel upon arrival at Yakushima.

【2 consecutive nights】(Overnight: Yakushima)

B

L

D

Day 3

Yakushima

■ Full-day Yakushima sightseeing by small coach.

■ Morning: Shiratani Unsuikyo with Yayoisugi Course walking trail (approximately 1 hour).

■ Followed by complete island circuit drive visiting Nakama Banyan Tree, Oko Falls, Western Forest Road, Nagata Inakahama Beach, and other locations.

(Overnight: Yakushima)

B

L

D

Day 4

Yakushima /　Yakushima Port/Miyanoura Port Ibusuki Port / Ibusuki

■ Walking in the primeval forest of Yakusugi Land (approximately 1 hour on maintained trails), Kigen Cedar.

■ Ferry transfer to Ibusuki.

■ Transfer to hotel upon arrival at Ibusuki Port.

(Overnight: Ibusuki)

B

L

D

Day 5

Ibusuki / Lake Ikeda / Kaseda Fumoto / Kagoshima Airport Haneda Airport

■ Morning appreciation of early spring herald: rapeseed blossom scenery at Lake Ikeda with views of Mount Kaimon (Note).

■ Subsequently, visit samurai residence quarter at Kaseda Fumoto.

■ Evening departure from Kagoshima Airport by aircraft to Haneda Airport.

■ Dissolution upon arrival.

B

L

✖

What’s Included

・Hotel in Tanegashima, Yakushima and Ibusuki
・Private guide for 5 days
・Transportation in the itinerary
・Meal：Breakfast 4 / Lunch 4 / Dinner 4
・Entrance fee at the spots in the itinerary

What’s NOT Included

・Round-trip transportation to Meeting and Finish point
・Tips for guides, drivers and others
・All fee for free time

Explanation of marks in the itinerary and approximate times

Explanation of marks in the itinerary:

Move

Plane:

Bus:

Car:

Train:

Ship:

Ropeway:

Walking:

Helicopter:

Meal

Breakfast:

B

Lunch:

L

Dinner:

D

Contact Us
Travel Conditions

Minimum Number of guests

1 person

Meeting point

Haneda Airport

Meals

Breakfast 4 / Lunch 4 / Dinner 4

Guide

Included

Important Notes
  • Unless otherwise specified, the tour will be conducted in English.
  • In case of itinerary revisions, our terms and conditions will apply. Please note the following points in paticular:
    　・The itinerary may change due to circumstances beyond our control.
    　・Accommodations in designeated cities is subject to availability.
    　・The order of the itinerary may change.
Contact Us

Related tours

Destination

Style and theme

Contact Us