Yakushima

Photo : Grendelkhan (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Located off the southern coast of Kyushu in Japan, this mountainous island rises from the East China Sea and is characterized by its steep terrain and abundant precipitation. The site is recognized for its exceptional biodiversity and pristine natural ecosystems, which support a diverse array of flora and fauna adapted to the island's unique subtropical highland climate. Ancient cedar forests dominate the landscape, with some trees reaching extraordinary ages, creating an environment of significant ecological and scientific value. The island's vegetation zones transition from subtropical lowland forests to cool temperate mountain forests, reflecting the variation in elevation across its rugged topography. The preservation of these largely undisturbed natural systems and their complex ecological relationships form the basis for its cultural and natural heritage significance in the Japanese context.