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Want to visit Yakushima from Tokyo but not sure whether there is a direct flight, or whether to take a plane or a boat from Kagoshima? This article sums up how to get to Yakushima, by type of transport.

• The 3 ways to cross from Kagoshima to Yakushima (plane, high-speed ferry, ferry), compared
• Flights from Haneda and Narita to Kagoshima
• The Kagoshima to Yakushima flight timetable, and direct flights from Osaka (Itami) and Fukuoka
• Timetables, fares and discounts for the Toppy & Rocket high-speed ferry
• Timetables and fares for Ferry Yakushima 2 and Ferry Hibiscus
• How to get from Kagoshima Airport and Kagoshima-Chuo Station to the ports

There are direct flights to Yakushima from Osaka (Itami) and Fukuoka, but no direct flight from Tokyo is listed in Yakushima Town's access guide. From Tokyo, you travel to Kagoshima and change there to a plane, high-speed ferry or ferry. The times and fares in this article were checked on October 27, 2026 on the official websites of each operator, Yakushima Town and Kagoshima Airport.

The diagram below lets you switch between the plane, high-speed ferry and ferry routes from Kagoshima to Yakushima and see which port each one arrives at. Press "View in 3D" to also see the sailings that stop at Tanegashima and how Ferry Hibiscus stays overnight at Tanegashima.

3 ways to get to Yakushima: travel time, fares and number of services from Kagoshima

There are 3 ways to get from Kagoshima to Yakushima: by plane, high-speed ferry or ferry.

Travel times are from the Yakushima Tourism Association's guide, the number of flights is from Kagoshima Airport's timetable for October 25 to November 30, 2026, and the high-speed ferry is the winter timetable for October 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027. Ferry Hibiscus is out of service for dock maintenance from October 5 to November 15, 2026.

How to get from Tokyo to Yakushima

From Tokyo, fly from Haneda Airport or Narita Airport to Kagoshima Airport, then change to a service for Yakushima in Kagoshima.

1. Haneda or Narita to Kagoshima Airport (plane)
2. At Kagoshima Airport, connect to a flight for Yakushima, or take a bus to Kagoshima Main Port South Pier or Taniyama Port
3. Arrive at Yakushima Airport, Miyanoura Port or Anbo Port

Tokyo to Kagoshima (plane)

According to Kagoshima Airport's monthly timetable (October 25 to November 30, 2026), there are 22 flights a day from Haneda and 1 flight a day from Narita to Kagoshima.

Haneda to Kagoshima

The first flight from Haneda departs at 6:25 (arrives in Kagoshima at 8:20, JAL) and the last departs at 19:30 (arrives in Kagoshima at 21:25, JAL).

Narita to Kagoshima

From Narita, Jetstar operates 1 flight a day, departing at 12:50 and arriving in Kagoshima at 15:10.

Kagoshima Airport notes that flight schedules may change without notice, and asks travelers to check the latest times on each airline's website.

How early to arrive at the airport for a domestic flight is covered in "How Early to Arrive for a Domestic Flight" (in Japanese).

Flying from Kagoshima to Yakushima

Flights from Kagoshima to Yakushima are operated by Japan Air Commuter (JAC). According to Yakushima Town's access guide, the shortest flight time between Kagoshima and Yakushima is 35 minutes.

Kagoshima to Yakushima timetable (October 25 to November 30, 2026)

Source: Kagoshima Airport monthly timetable (to Yakushima)

Direct flights from Osaka (Itami) and Fukuoka

There are direct flights to Yakushima from Osaka (Itami) and Fukuoka (Yakushima Town access guide, updated March 10, 2026).

Source: Yakushima Town access guide

Taking the Toppy & Rocket high-speed ferry (14,000 yen one way)

The Toppy & Rocket high-speed ferry connects Kagoshima Main Port South Pier with Yakushima (Miyanoura Port and Anbo Port). Some sailings stop at Tanegashima (Nishinoomote Port), and sailings arrive at either Miyanoura Port or Anbo Port.

Timetable (winter timetable, October 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027)

Kagoshima to Yakushima

Yakushima to Kagoshima

The official website shows the winter timetable as "under application". The Ibusuki route has been suspended since April 1, 2026. The final decision on whether a sailing operates is made 1 hour before departure.

Source: Toppy & Rocket fares and timetables

Fares and discounts (Kagoshima to/from Yakushima)

These fares apply from May 11, 2026 until further notice and include the fuel price adjustment charge. "Adult" means age 12 or over (excluding elementary school students), and "child" means under 12, or an elementary school student aged 12 or over. Preschool children who do not use a seat travel free, 1 per adult.

• Round trip discount: Valid for 7 days. Only applies when the outbound and return routes are the same
• Early Bird 14: Web bookings only. Book up to 14 days before the sailing date. Can be changed only once after booking and purchase
• Early Bird 28: Web bookings only. Book up to 28 days before the sailing date. Cannot be changed after booking and purchase. Not available for December 26, 2026 to January 3, 2027
• Early Bird fares cannot be used if you book the outbound and return separately. Purchase within 4 days including the booking date
• A Super Seat (a slightly larger seat than standard) costs an extra 1,000 yen

Source: Toppy & Rocket discounts

How to book and what to do on the day

Online bookings can be made from 2 months before the sailing date up to the day before. By phone, call the booking center (0570-004015).

1. Choose the route, sailing date and number of passengers on the official website and book
2. Pay within 4 days including the booking date
3. On the sailing date, go to the counter with the booking number email (online booking) or your booking number (phone booking)
4. Receive your reserved seat ticket at the counter (and your return ticket for a round trip)

Even without a booking, you can board if seats are available. If you lose your ticket, you will need to buy another one.

Source: Toppy & Rocket official website ("Boarding procedures" page)

Taking Ferry Yakushima 2 (7,000 yen one way)

Ferry Yakushima 2 makes 1 round trip a day between Kagoshima Main Port South Pier and Miyanoura Port on Yakushima.

Timetable and fares

Fares include the fuel price adjustment charge. "Child" means a child aged 6 or over attending elementary school. Infants (age 1 or over, not yet in elementary school) travel free, 1 per adult. Round trip tickets are valid for 30 days from issue.

Private rooms cost a per-room charge in addition to the 2nd class fare.

On board there is a bathroom (with showers), a shop and an observation room. The udon and soba corner is closed for the time being.

Source: Ferry Yakushima 2 timetable and fares / On-board guide

Taking a car

Vehicle fares include the 2nd class fare for 1 driver.

Vehicles must be booked in advance, from 2 months before the sailing date. The original vehicle inspection certificate is required. Motorcycles and bicycles are by reservation only. There is a round trip online discount for cars from outside Kagoshima Prefecture (not available during Golden Week, Obon and the New Year holidays).

Taking Ferry Hibiscus (3,900 yen one way)

Ferry Hibiscus runs from Taniyama Port in Kagoshima via Tanegashima (Nishinoomote Port) to Miyanoura Port on Yakushima.

Timetable (leaves in the evening, arrives the next morning)

There is no service from Kagoshima on Sundays, or from Tanegashima and Yakushima on Mondays, every week.

Fares (Kagoshima to/from Yakushima, 2nd class)

Fares include the fuel price adjustment charge. There is no shop, restaurant or shower on board, but there are vending machines for drinks and cup noodles. Bookings and inquiries are by phone (Kagoshima 099-261-7000).

Out of service for dock maintenance from October 5 to November 15, 2026

Ferry Hibiscus is out of service for dock maintenance for 42 days, from Monday, October 5 to Sunday, November 15, 2026.

Source: Ferry Hibiscus basic information / Ferry Hibiscus fares / Dock maintenance notice

How to get to the ports from Kagoshima Airport and Kagoshima-Chuo Station

The high-speed ferry and Ferry Yakushima 2 leave from Kagoshima Main Port South Pier, and Ferry Hibiscus leaves from Taniyama Port.

Kagoshima Main Port South Pier (high-speed ferry, Ferry Yakushima 2)

Depending on the time, some buses from the airport go to the high-speed ferry terminal. The high-speed ferry terminal (Tanegashima Yakushima High-Speed Passenger Terminal) is open from 5:30 to 20:00 and has coin lockers. The high-speed ferry terminal and the Ferry Yakushima 2 terminal (South Pier Passenger Terminal) are about 7 minutes apart on foot.

Source: Toppy & Rocket boarding point (Kagoshima Main Port South Pier) / Yakushima Tourism Association: How to get to Yakushima

Taniyama Port (Ferry Hibiscus)

From Kagoshima-Chuo Station to Taniyama Port, it takes about 50 min by Kagoshima Kotsu bus route 5 (Oroshihonmachi / Nanatsujima 1-chome line) and about 40 min by taxi. Ferry Hibiscus's official website lists the bus times as follows.

This is also the only bus from Taniyama Port to the city, so if the ferry arrives late you will need to use another means of transport. Ferry Hibiscus's official website notes that there is a nearby bus stop (Sunlife Pool-mae, about 300 m) and JR Sakanoue Station (about 3,000 m), but says a taxi is convenient.

Yakushima's ports and airport

Yakushima has 3 gateways: Yakushima Airport, Miyanoura Port and Anbo Port.

The ferries only use Miyanoura Port. The high-speed ferry arrives at Miyanoura Port or Anbo Port depending on the sailing, so check the arrival port of your sailing.

Source: Yakushima Tourism Association: How to get to Yakushima / Toppy & Rocket

Early-booking discounts by airline are covered in "Airline Early-Booking Discounts" (in Japanese).

Summary

Key points on getting to Yakushima:

• There is no direct flight from Tokyo to Yakushima. Fly from Haneda (22 flights a day) or Narita (1 flight a day) to Kagoshima and change there
• Flights from Kagoshima to Yakushima are operated by JAC, 5 a day, about 40 minutes
• The Toppy & Rocket high-speed ferry costs 14,000 yen one way and takes 1 h 50 min on direct sailings. The Early Bird 28 round trip is 18,500 yen
• Ferry Yakushima 2 costs 7,000 yen one way (2nd class), with 1 round trip a day departing Kagoshima at 8:30 and arriving at Miyanoura at 12:30
• Ferry Hibiscus costs 3,900 yen one way (2nd class), departing Taniyama Port at 18:00 and arriving at 7:00 the next morning. Out of service for dock maintenance until November 15, 2026
• There is 1 direct flight a day to Yakushima from each of Osaka (Itami) and Fukuoka

This information is as of October 27, 2026. Times, fares and service status may change, so please check each operator's official website for the latest information.