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Yakushima Museum of History and Folklore: A Cultural Gateway

Discover Yakushima's cultural heritage at this local history museum, showcasing traditions, folklore, and historical events that shaped the island.

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The Yakushima Museum of History and Folklore offers a glimpse into the island's past, showcasing its unique traditions, folklore, and historical events. Discover artifacts, photographs, and displays that highlight Yakushima's cultural heritage.

A brief summary to Yakushima Museum of History and Folklore

  • Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-5 pm
  • Friday 9 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on a clear day to enjoy the surrounding scenery after exploring the museum.
  • Check the bus schedule in advance, as services are infrequent.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Yakushima Environmental Culture Village Center.
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Getting There

  • Car

    From Yakushima Airport, take Route 78 towards Miyanoura for about 15 minutes. The museum is located at 1593 Miyanoura, Yakushima, Kumage District, Kagoshima 891-4205. Ample parking is available nearby.

  • Bus

    Take a Tanegashima-Yakushima Kotsu or Matsubanda Kotsu bus towards Miyanoura. Check the bus schedule for the most up-to-date information, as services are infrequent. From the Miyanoura bus stop, the museum is a short walk away.

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Discover more about Yakushima Museum of History and Folklore

The Yakushima Museum of History and Folklore is a portal to the island's vibrant past, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of Yakushima, renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and rich biodiversity. Inside, you'll discover a collection of artifacts, photographs, and displays that highlight the island's unique traditions, folklore, and historical events that have shaped its identity over centuries. The museum features exhibits of farming implements, a fishing boat used for catching flying fish, pictures, panels, and models introducing the past life of the islanders. You can learn about methods used in cutting down the massive Yakusugi cedar trees and explanations of longline fishing. It's one of the few places where visitors can learn not only about nature but also about the life and history of Yakushima. The single-story exhibition hall displays a variety of exhibits explaining the local history and culture of Yakushima. There are original Edo Period documents, wood and wicker folk tools, handicrafts, masks, pottery, and festival items on display. Outside the main building is a reconstruction of a rural house where roof tiles known as hiragi were made. There are also exhibits on Yakushima's native monkeys and deer, sub-species of their larger cousins on the main islands, including a wooden monkey trap. Of particular interest are the exhibits relating to festivals on the island, including costumes and a rice straw rope used in a tug-of-war festival between different villages. The museum opened in 1983.

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