So after a disappointing start to our journey on this incredible island (scuba dives and hikes all getting cancelled) we decided that we would head on yesterday, regardless of the weather and explore!

Despite not sleeping at all in the night due to the noise from the storm (our tiny wooden cottage was literally shaking in the wind, with the loud banging and rattling of the metal shutters making sleep an impossible notion!) we woke up feeling excited and ready to see what we could do, and remained positive despite the weather.

The day incredible and made me realise that Yakushima is the most incredible place I have ever visited, with so much nature, geology, history and beauty to witness.

The storm had calmed down a lot, and despite getting very wet in the morning, we managed to have a wonderful day, and even experienced some sunshine at various points on the island!

Highlights of the day included :

- Oko no taki waterfall - at 88m high this is the tallest waterfall on the island and was fearsome yesterday due to the storm! 

- Visiting a tradition family run green tea plantation

- Seeing a family of monkeys playing and cleaning each other in the middle of the road

- Making our own chopsticks in a traditional woodcrafting woodshop from the local 'sugi' wood

Due to the weather it was not only too dangerous to scuba dive, but also to dangerous to hike Mt. Miyanoura (the tallest peak in Kyshu) and also to visit the 'Jomon Sugi' tree (estimated to be between 2200 - 7200 years old!). These hikes take between 10-12 hours each and so they require a lot of careful planning, good weather and also for the roads to be open which take you there! Buses were not running due to the storm and the roads were closed during our stay, although we heard from a local that every year people die on the hikes here due to being too stubborn to turn back when things get dangerous due to the weather. 

I have already made plans to come back in April next year and experience this magnificient island again - with the hikes and diving next time for sure!

Have a lovely day everyone!

'Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished' - Lao Tzu