Yakushima Island reopens Shiratani Unsuikyo on 18 October
Published on 10/18/2026 at 01:06 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Yakushima Island (Yakushima) will reopen Shiratani Unsuikyo in Japan on 18 October 2026, as a damaged access road returns to alternating traffic. The reopening follows repairs after Typhoon 24 and heavy rain, but some walking routes will remain restricted.
Yakushima Island reopening brings limited access on 18 October
Yakushima Town says the prefectural Shiratani Unsuikyo-Miyanoura road will allow alternating one-way traffic from 8am on 18 October 2026. The ravine will also reopen on that date, although the road will not yet have full unrestricted traffic.
The town reports that landslides and fallen trees have not been cleared from every section inside the site. As a result, the routes available to visitors will be limited for the time being. The reopening is therefore a partial return to use rather than a complete restoration of every trail.
The official Yakushima Town update links the road change directly to the opening date and asks visitors to check the latest route conditions before travelling.
Shiratani Unsuikyo links reopening with an ancient forest
Shiratani Unsuikyo is a recreation forest in the north-eastern part of the island, reached through the Miyanoura area. The Forestry Agency places the forest between 600 and 1,050 metres above sea level and describes granite gorges, waterfalls, Yakusugi cedars and moss-covered ground.
The site has three walking trails: Taiko-iwa Rock, Yayoi-sugi and Bugyo-sugi. Their climbs and descents mean that the reopening has a direct effect on what travellers can do there, because unfinished repairs may prevent access to individual sections.
The wider forest landscape was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 1993. That status gives the 18 October 2026 reopening more than a simple road significance: it restores access to part of the protected mountain environment while repair work continues.
The Forestry Agency description identifies the ravine's address in Miyanoura, Yakushima Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, and records its trails, terrain and World Heritage setting.
Visiting Yakushima Island: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Shiratani Unsuikyo reopens on 18 October 2026, while the access road resumes alternating one-way traffic from 8am that day.
- Some routes remain unavailable because landslide and fallen-tree repairs are unfinished. The town says the available walking courses will be limited for the time being.
- The ravine is in Miyanoura, Yakushima Town, Kagoshima Prefecture. The Forestry Agency lists bus access from Miyanoura Port through Miyanoura or Oharamachi to the Shiratani Unsuikyo stop.
- The forest lies between 600 and 1,050 metres above sea level, with hilly sections on its three walking trails. Sports shoes or hiking boots are appropriate for the terrain.
- Japan's official language is Japanese and its national currency is the yen.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Yakushima Island
When does the Shiratani Unsuikyo reopening take place?
Shiratani Unsuikyo reopens on 18 October 2026. Alternating one-way traffic on its access road begins from 8am that day.
What will change at Shiratani Unsuikyo?
The ravine becomes accessible again on 18 October 2026, but some walking routes will remain restricted while repairs continue.
Where is Yakushima Island and how do you get there?
The island is in Kagoshima Prefecture, south of Kyushu. Shiratani Unsuikyo is reached from Miyanoura by road or by bus through Miyanoura or Oharamachi.
