Yakushima
Native name: Japanese: 屋久島 | |
|---|---|
Landsat image of Yakushima | |
| Geography | |
| Location | East China Sea |
| Coordinates | 30°20′38″N 130°31′26″E / 30.34389°N 130.52389°E |
| Archipelago | Ryukyu Islands |
| Area | 504.88 km2 (194.94 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,936 m (6352 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Miyanoura |
| Administration | |
| Kagoshima Prefecture | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 11,698 (2022) |
| Pop. density | 26.1/km2 (67.6/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Japanese |
| Criteria | Natural: vii, ix |
| Reference | 662 |
| Inscription | 1993 (17th Session) |
| Area | 10,747 ha |
| Official name | Yakushima Nagata-hama |
| Designated | 8 November 2005 |
| Reference no. | 1559 |
Yakushima (屋久島) is one of the Ōsumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The island, 504.88 km2 (194.94 sq mi) in area, has a population of 13,178. It is accessible by hydrofoil ferry, car ferry, or by air to Yakushima Airport. Administratively, the island consists of the town of Yakushima, which extends to the neighbouring island of Kuchinoerabujima. 42% of the island is within the borders of the Yakushima National Park.
Yakushima's electricity is more than 50% hydroelectric, and surplus power has been used to produce hydrogen gas in an experiment by Kagoshima University. The island has been a test site for Honda's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle research.