There are ferry connections to Kagoshima and Shimama.
The "Toppy" (http://www.toppy.jp/fare_...) and "Rocket" (http://www.cosmoline.jp/) Jetfoil ferries can be taken from Kagoshima; they both take approximately 2 hours depending on if there are stops at Ibusuki and Tanegashima. They cost 7100 yen as of March 2011 and run 4 times a day, although regular ferry as well as jet foil ferry services are canceled in bad weather.
Ferries can arrive at either Miyanoura port or Anbo port, so take care to plan the following transport and accommodation accordingly.
Yakushima Airport, located between Miyanoura and Anbo ports along the circumference of the island, has direct flights to and from Kagoshima, Fukuoka, and Osaka, Itami (http://www.jal.co.jp/en/d...).
