Yakushima, Kagoshima

Yakushima (屋久島町) is a town located in Kumage District, Kagoshima, Japan. The town is on the island of Yakushima and Kuchinoerabujima.

History
On October 1, 2007, the town was formed by the merger of the towns of Kamiyaku and Yaku, both from Kumage District.

Geography
Major settlements of the island are the port towns of Anbō and Miyanoura. Other settlements are the coastal villages of Hiranai, Kuriobashi, Nagata, Okonotaki and the abandoned forest village of Kosugidani. Among the localities, there are the gorges of Shiratani Unsui, Arakawa, Yakushima Airport, Kigensugi and Yakusugi.

Demographics
As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 13,486 and the density of 24.9 persons per km2. The total area is 540.98 km2.

Transport
Yakushima Airport serves Yakushima. There are also hydrofoils and ferries serving the island. Kuchinoerabujima is accessible by a municipal ferry. Inside the island there is a forest railway, the Anbō Forest Railway.

Education

 * High schools
 * Kagoshima Prefectural Yakushima High School
 * Yakushima Ōzora High School (correspondence course high school)
 * Junior high schools
 * Anbō Junior High School
 * Gakunan Junior High School
 * Issō Junior High School
 * Kanadake Junior High School
 * Koseda Junior High School
 * Miyaura Junior High School
 * Nagata Junior High School
 * Elementary schools
 * Anbō Elementary School
 * Hachiman Elementary School
 * Issō Elementary School
 * Kamiyama Elementary School
 * Kanadake Elementary School
 * Koseda Elementary School
 * Kurio Elementary School
 * Miyaura Elementary School
 * Nagata Elementary School