Harutahama Beach

The most extensive coral reef flats on Yakushima, estimated to have been formed 6,000 years ago, are found at Harutahama beach. Children can play among the tidal pools in search of black sea cucumbers, Indo-Pacific sergeants, and shellfish. On land, many different flowering plants show their colors throughout the year: wild lilies, orchids, morning glories, primroses, sun spurge, beach peas, gentians, monk’s pepper, butterfly bush, sea daisies, and delicate star-shaped lianas, to name just a few. The pits along the path leading to the swimming area are remnants of an old island tradition of using rocks heated in a fire to warm pools of seawater for an alfresco, ocean-view bath.