Emergency Services

Canceling Reservations:

If you cannot make a reservation in Yakushima or are not returning to your accomodation at night, please contact them as soon as you can, less they worry that you might be stuck in the mountains.

Lost & Found:

If you have lost or found something of value, please report it to the police. (They will ask you to fill out some forms, so please be patient, but items are often returned in Japan.) You can also check with the Yakushima Tourism Association if you lost it on a trail or ask them to check with the appropriate bus company if you forgot it in a bus. If you found something dropped along a trail, you can turn it in to the person at the trail head or an information booth. You are expected to turn over items of value that may belong to others.

Medical Emergencies:

Several clinics around the island that accept walk-ins, and the Tokushukai Hospital in Miyanoura is open all the time. In an emergency call, 119. If you are in the mountains, a helicopter may be sent from Kagoshima, so it will take time before they arrive, assuming the weather is clear and there is a clearing where the helicopter can reach you. Ambulances are statoned in Onoaida in the south and Miyanoura in the northeast, and you may have to wait before they can reach you.

Police:

There is a police sub-station in each village. The headquarters is in Anbo. In case of an emergency call 110. For non-emergencies, you can call +81(997)46-2110 in Japanese. You should call both the police and the insurance company in case of a car accident.

Transportation:

If you cannot make a reservation, contact the company as soon as possible. Non-discount, domestic companies like JAL will often try to put you on the next flight if you are clearly not at fault (such as if a connecting flight is canceled due to a typhoon). If you are leaving Yakushima and your boat/flight is canceled, everybody on your flight/boat may have to make a quick decision about alternate travel. If you are changing from plane to boat, key questions are: Will your plane ticket be refunded? Can you make the boat? Even if you ride the boat, will you be in time for your connection in Kagoshima? If you get stuck in Yakushima, you can always try asking for help at a Tourism Assocation information booth. If you get stuck in Kagoshima, cancel your reservations in Yakushima. There are plenty of things to do in Kagoshima and usually plenty business hotel rooms, or you can try the Green Guest House for a hostel near the port.

Tourism Association:

There are three information booths run by the Yakushima Tourism Association: By the port in Miyanoura, in central Anbo, and next to the airport. Senior staff have experience with travelers in need, so it's worth asking if you need help.

Weather:

Evacuations are announced by loud-speaker. If you are unsure what to do, ask your neighbor or call the tourism association, town offices, or police if it is unsafe to go outside.

Typhoons:

It is dangerous to go outside or even open windows or doors during a typhoon. Power outages and transportation delays are common. If you experienec a typhoon, check radar images to see when the typhoon has completely passed. If you venture outside when the eye is passing over, you may be caught by the most severe winds when the eye has passed. Your accomodation may be evacuated to a shelter before a typhoon arrives.

Earthquakes:

Take standard precautions and be ready for a tsunami warning.

Tsunami:

Warnings are made by an alarm sounded over the loud speaker. Head for high ground immediately. Note that the alarm is tested annually on March 11 and that the speaker system is also used to play chimes and make other announcements throughout the day.

Fire:

Call 119.

Rescue:

Call 119. If you are in the mountains, a helicopter may be sent from Kagoshima, so it will take time before they arrive, assuming the weather is clear and there is a clearing where the helicopter can reach you. In general, rescue services are not dispatched to the mountains at night.

Bank:

Currency exchange is next to impossible in Yakushima. Daytime ATMs are available at the post office in Miyanoura and Anbo, as well as at select branches and banks around the island.

Grievances:

If you need to file a grievance against a tourism-related business in Yakushima, please contact the Yakushima Tourism Association.