Yakushima

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Yakushima Youth Hostel

(http://www.yakushima-yh.net/). on the farther side of the island. 48 beds.

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Camping is not allowed in the national park, but backpackers can find several small huts along the trails in the central mountains of the island that they can stay in free of charge. These huts vary in size and can accommodate anywhere from 20-60 people. However, they are little more than four concrete or wooden walls and a roof, and at night they get very cold. Backpackers should be well equipped with sleeping bags and heavy clothing even when weather along the coast is warm and pleasant. Rental equipment from Miyanoura is not always up to par.Camping sites at the coast are about ¥800 and a few backpackers starting from ¥1600 for accommodation only.

There are two youth hostels on the island, both of which are dormitory-style type and cost about ¥3000 per person.

Cottage Morinokokage is log cabin cottages in Funayuki. There are 9 individual log cabins, and 3 different types of room are available. Amenities are TV, air-conditioner, refrigerator, electric pot, dryer, Japanese Tea Set,candle lantern, bath & shower inc. shampoo, hair conditioner, body soap, and hand wash soap, toilet, mexican hammock, garden table, swing, low rebound mattress & pillow, free parking space, laundromat in property, and smoke free in the room.

It is located between Anbo and Miyanoura, where easy access to main sightseeing spot such as Jomonsugi and Shiratani Unsuikyo. Only 5 mins drive from Anbo port, 8 mins drive from Yakushima air port, and 20mins drive from Miyanoura port.

There is excellent mountainMyoujou-dake & Funayuki-maedake view from each rooms, and shining star can be seen at night. Walking distance to seashore to see beautiful sunrise and Tanegashima island. Breakfast, BBQ, early Bento delivery, local restaurant, taxi, rental car can be arranged.

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Midrange

There are many small lodges which run 5000-8000 yen with 2 meals.

Shiki no Yado Onoaida 四季の宿　尾之間 (http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/...) in Onoaida 尾之間 is a small family run lodge with a choice of Japanese style rooms, Western rooms or cottages. The price is around 8000 yen per person, per night including breakfast and dinner.

Lodge Yaedake Sanso （ロッジ八重岳山荘）, off the track from 牛床公園 bus stop on the route up the mountain from Miyanoura to Shiratani Unsuikyo, is a ryokan separate toilet and hot spring water bath with tatami mat rooms interconnected with wooden walkways. It is located within a forest of thin cedar trees which the rooms have balconies opening onto, and is right next to a clean, fresh water river. There are kayaks, a barbecue area, and a free laundry and dryer.

During the rain it is a cosy, lovely, dark, and aromatic experience in sharp contrast to the dense compact cities of modern Japan.

As per Shiki no Yado it's around 7-8,000 yen a person a night, including dinner and breakfast. Beer is separately purchasable, and for an extra 6-700 yen they will pack you a bento for lunch the next day - this is recommended as it can be hard to find a restaurant or food for sale on the hiking trails.

As it's quite out of the way, pick up at 4PM at the Minshuku run by the same people near Miyanoura Minshuku Yaedake Honkan 民宿八重岳本館　can be arranged during the booking or rock up and ask for the pickup

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Top end

JR Hotel Yakushima (http://www.jrhotelgroup.c...) in Onoaida has twin rooms from 15,000 yen per person per night including breakfast and dinner. The modern nonagonal hotel building is situated on a point so the Pacific horizon seems to stretch endlessly. Opposite, the island's mountains rise in a sheer rock face. The rooms and food are excellent, and there is a hot spring including rotenburo outdoor pool overlooking the ocean. But what most impresses is the polite and thoughtful staff and service, impeccable even by Japanese standards.