{"id":28751,"date":"2017-10-01T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2017-09-30T23:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=28751"},"modified":"2020-03-27T10:55:53","modified_gmt":"2020-03-27T01:55:53","slug":"yakushima-things-to-bring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/yakushima-things-to-bring\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t leave Kagoshima without it! – Travel tricks and tips for your adventures in Yakushima!"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sponsored by AEON<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Yakushima<\/a><\/strong> boasts some of the best and most bizarrely unique nature<\/strong> in the whole of Japan<\/strong>. Surrounding yourself in it\u2019s wildly eccentric forestry is like entering a dream land in which, suddenly, all those Ghibli movies<\/strong> you\u2019ve seen, magically come to life. The twisting, bulging, clawing trees, flowing streams and rows of mossy rocks suddenly make you consider the possibility that Ghibli\u2019s Princess Mononoke<\/strong><\/em>, while a complete fantasy, could actually exist. A place where, I swear, if you stand staring for long enough, the forest comes to life.<\/p>\n Kagoshima chuo station<\/p><\/div>\n This could be one of the best adventures you ever undertake but it could equally be awful if you go unprepared. After all, Yakushima<\/strong> is a tiny island a good way away from the nearest ferry port in Kagoshima<\/strong>, Kyushu. Goods on the island are sparse. With nature at it\u2019s heart, the island supports its residents with a handful of supermarkets, only about two ATMs<\/strong> and no convenience stores<\/strong>! And, considering everything has to be shipped in, it whacks up a heavy price<\/strong>, even for the simplest of things. Since it\u2019s expensive and there\u2019s no guarantee, you\u2019ll find what you need, the best idea is to come prepared!<\/strong><\/p>\n Kagoshima port overlooking Sakurajima island<\/p><\/div>\n Luckily, you can find everything you need on budget<\/strong> in AEON at Kagoshima ferry port<\/strong><\/a>, just before you hop on the ferry to Yakushima. If you have a little more time to prepare, there\u2019s even an AEON near Kagoshima Chuo station<\/a><\/strong>. So, take your pick!<\/p>\n AEON near Kagoshima Chuo station<\/p><\/div>\n AEON at Kagoshima ferry port<\/p><\/div>\n AEON Bank’s ATM<\/p><\/div>\n You can change the language setting as English.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Considering there are just around two ATMs on the entire island, its best to come prepared with all the money you think you\u2019ll need. Fear not! Aeon has everything, including ATMs.<\/strong> In fact, these are the very same ATMs you can find at 7\/eleven, so they\u2019re fully foreigner card friendly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For the hours of trekking,<\/strong> hiking<\/strong> and exploring Yakushima has to offer, you\u2019d be pretty crazy not to go with a good pair of hiking boots<\/strong>. Not only are they water proof<\/strong>, they also support your ankles<\/strong> when climbing rocks and will stop you from slipping on wet surfaces.<\/p>\n Yakushima island prides itself on its safe, crisp, mountain filtered water<\/strong>. Buy a strong water bottle<\/strong>, fill it up whenever you see flowing water from pipes, streams or waterfalls, and you wont need to carry massive bottles of water on your hikes. Not only will you save money on that expensive, shipped, bottled water, but you will save the environment from more unnecessary plastic waste. Even now, I never leave home without mine.<\/p>\n This is such a small purchase but so very very necessary. In Yakushima alone, I used almost a whole packet\u2019s worth in about three days. When hiking, the toilets are often less than fresh. With no soap or towels, and the sweat consuming your body, a fresh wet wipe<\/strong> will feel like heaven.<\/p>\n From mopping the sweat from your brow, to wiping your feet when emerging from a free local foot bath<\/strong>, to even placing upon ones head as a flat hat to shield you from the sun, the hand towel is another small, yet crucial item for your hiking list. How disappointing would it be to to find a small lake, flowing stream or free foot bath and not be able to dry your weary feat afterwards? Don\u2019t take that chance! A hand towel provides a convenience like no other. Its another cheap item, but one I wouldn\u2019t leave home without.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yakushima is like one crazy tropical island<\/strong>. One minute, its beautiful sunshine in a cloudless sky, and the next, we have a warm, tropical downpour. If you\u2019re anything like me, you\u2019ll be thankful to be cooled by the rain, but a heavy downpour is bad news for whatever you may be carrying in your bag. I took a small, light raincoat<\/strong> when I went to yakushima and it served me well in the light rain.<\/p>\n More prepared hikers had protected their backpacks with a covering<\/strong>, which I wish I had had at the time. I was carrying a camera, my mobile phone and some extra clothes in my bag, all of which became a little wet. I would highly recommend at the very least a light waterproof jacket and a bag covering<\/strong>. You might even want to go the further mile and, for additional piece of mind, get a waterproof bag for all your electrical equipment.<\/p>\n Inspired by my mother when I used to go on school trips as a child, the plastic bag<\/strong> is invaluable when you want to sit on any wet or dirty surface. Simply lay it down and sit on it. It also doubles up as something to put your bag on.<\/p>\n While I would not recommend taking an umbrella on a hike, I would recommend taking a small one<\/strong> if you want to explore the outskirts of Yakushima or even if you\u2019re planning and going out for dinner. The weather is very unpredictable.<\/p>\n Hiking is a sweaty business. You\u2019ll need a hefty supply of thick socks<\/strong>, to prevent uncomfortable rubbing inside your hiking boots, and thin socks<\/strong>. Of course, if you can get them in some wacky and crazy designs, then even better!<\/p>\n sweets and candies<\/p><\/div>\n Hiking is tough work and what better way to reward yourself and get a little sugary energy boost than with your favourite sweets and snacks<\/strong>. Get them at AEON<\/strong> before you leave or risk not being able to find or afford them on Yakushima.<\/p>\n Yakushima<\/strong> is a beautiful island, full of mystery and wonder, but it can be stressful or even unpleasant if you don\u2019t go prepared. Stock up on the essentials at Kagoshima ferry port<\/strong> and enjoy a stress-free adventure on perhaps the most uniquely memorable islands in Japan. The access to Yakushima island, please check out my previous article<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/a>
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Prepare Yourself or Prepare Your Wallet<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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10 Things You Will Need<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1.Money<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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2.Hiking boots<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3.Re-usable water bottle<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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4.Wet wipes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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5.Hand towel <\/strong><\/h3>\n
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6.A light wet weather jacket and a protective bag covering<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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7.Plastic bags or bin liners <\/strong><\/h3>\n
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8.An umbrella<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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9.Thick socks, thin socks and lots of socks <\/strong><\/h3>\n
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10.Sweets and snacks!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Final thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n