On the afternoon of the eclipse I got a lift over to the other side of the island to see the Ohko-no-taki waterfall. Took the big camera and tripod, and before it started to rain I got several shots. This image was the best as it has some foreground interest (man looking up at waterfall) and even a tiny man with a tripod near the falls to show a sense of scale.

Ohko-no-taki Waterfall, Yakushima, Japan

The following day before heading back to the ferry I went to the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine. A long steep windy road takes you from the town of Miyanoura up into the misty mountains. A 424 hectare area of ancient Yaku-sugi cedar forest has been designated a “forest recreation area”. Visitors who don’t have the time or stamina to trek for hours or days into the centre of the island can follow a 90 minute loop on well kept trails, past waterfalls and through verdant forest to a couple of the ancient cedars the island is famed for.

Small waterfall at Shiratani Unuikyo natural recreation forest, Yakushima

Following the trail at the Shitatani Unsuikyo, Yakushima

One unexpected photo opportunity on this trip was when I stopped by the Yudomari-onsen hot spring. Hot spring bathing is an important part of Japanese culture, but is something I haven’t managed to photograph over the past decade. I asked the guys in the onsen if I could take a picture and they said no problem. I took a few shots and am very pleased with this one. As is often the case, my favorite photo from the trip was one I had never intended to take.

Yudomari-onsen Hot Spring, Yakushima, Japan

Overall,  my time on Yakushima was really interesting. Of course, the weather wasn’t helpful, but I’m looking forward to going back.