Getting a guide in Yakushima

Hi all I am planning to visit Yakushima and do the follow walks:
1. Island tour
2. Shiratani Unsuikyo Tour

I have three questions:
1. Is it necessary to get a guide? I�fve read that it is recommended to get a guide..is it more for knowledge or for safety reasons? Eg in case get lost etc.

2. If I just want to get a guide for one tour, which one (island tour or Shiratani Unsuikyo) should I opt for?

3. Any recommendation for English speaking guide who is Japanese? I saw quite a few tour companies conducting English tours but the guides are foreigners. Although they have stayed in japan for long enough but it still feels strange to me..

Thank you!

Hi!

For the hike you mentioned, Shiratani - the guide is not required since it is a very well marked and moderate difficulty trail but having a guide adds so much to the experience with all the information they feed you with. I hiked Shiratani with Jenny Lue of Yakushima Life, she is american but also very fluent in Japanese since she has been living in Japan for more than 15 years. Her site https://www.yakushimalife.com and my account of hiking in Yakushima (https://www.bizarrejourneys.com/yakushima)

BB

Also when you mention island tour walk - do you mean circling the 100km (which is nice but requires 2-3 days) or mix of driving/sightseeing including the West Forest Road?

Try this:
https://www.yakumonkey.com/p/contact-yakumonkey.html

Hi Bizarre Journeys
I was referring to something like this island tour:

https://www.yesyakushima.com/yakushima-tours/yakushima-island-tour/

Anyway I�fm relatively fit but sustained some knee injuries recently. So thinking of what other hikes I can opt for. Would love to do the Jomon Sugi hike but have to skip it cos of the long hours..don�ft think knees can take it :(

Any other relatively easier hike suggestions are welcomed :)

You may then enjoy the shorter trek at Yakusugiland - beautiful place and many different trails including ones as short as 30 mn. There are also 3 hour ones so you can take the detours depending on how you feel.

Thks all. I have decided to diy the hikes since I am not going for strenuous long hikes. To save the cost too..
Any recommendations on what driving routes I can take for short walks around the island besides those hikes already mentioned in most sites?

And also is there anywhere I can go to catch glimpse of monkeys and deers and other wild life?

May I also ask if i can reserve ferry tickets online?
Possible to travel to Miyanoura Port and depart from Anbo Port to Kagoshima?
Thank you!

This map may help you to get ideas for further research: http://yakukan.jp/doc/pdf/yakushimamap.pdf

I think my some guide companies offer a ferry booking service if you book hikes with them but dont think there is a direct online reservation option. I have traveled to Yakushima at the end of September, end of November and mid-Feb and due to the low season, I never had to book in advance.