Yakushima Environmental and Cultural Village Center
Yakushima Environmental and Cultural Village Center is an indispensable source of local history and information located within walking distance of the ferry port of Miyanoura. The facility has a permanent exhibition and a film projection area that highlights the relationship between Yakushima’s inhabitants and the island’s nature. Displays are illustrated with many visual and audio materials. They focus on the formation of the island and its natural habitat, as well as on the culture and lifestyles of the people living in the forests, by the sea, and in the mountains.
A tourist information center certified by the Japan National Tourism Office (JNTO) is located on the first floor, as well as a souvenir and local product shop, and a cafe. Access to this area is free of charge, though visitors must pay to see the exhibitions. Detailed English-language explanations and pamphlets, as well as films with English subtitles, make this center as accessible for foreign visitors as for domestic travelers.
The center is open daily, Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entrance at 4.30 pm). It is open on Mondays as well during summer holidays. Entry to the exhibition and theater costs 520 yen for adults, 360 yen for high school and university students, 260 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and is free for children up to six years old.
Before starting your exploration of Yakushima, do visit the Yakushima Environmental and Cultural Village Center.