Journeys in Japan

Wonderful Yakushima (4x30)

Air date: Sep 17, 2013

Yakushima was registered as an UNESCO World Natural Heritage site 20 years ago. Though small, the island has mountains rising more than 1,000 meters. Elevation differences have created a unique climate zone allowing for 1,900 species of flora from subtropical to subalpine. The island also receives significant rainfall; so much so that people joke it rains 35 days a month. Blanketed in primeval forest, Yakushima attracts visitors from all over the world. Our reporter is Peter Skov, a Canadian photographer living in Japan for 12 years. He has a passion for Japan's mountains and has made them the subject of his work. He and a guide climb Miyanoura-dake, which is 1,936 meters high, making it the tallest mountain not only on Yakushima, but also Kyushu. Near the summit, they visit a small shrine where the god of Miyanoura-dake is venerated. On the descent, they visit the island's most famous attraction, the Jomon Sugi. The massive cedar tree is thought to be more than 7000 years old. Peter ventures on his own to a traditional summer festival. He also visits nesting grounds for sea turtles. Yakushima is the northern most spawning point for sea turtles. He witnesses how the increase in tourism is threatening their early lives. On Journeys in Japan, Peter focuses his lens on Yakushima's primeval forests, its soaring mountains and its sea turtle spawning grounds.