SAUNTER MAGAZINE No. 6 | Special Feature: "Yakushima 2023"

A travel document magazine from Yakushima Issue 6 | Special Feature: "Yakushima 2023"

This is an issue devoted entirely to Yakushima, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the World Natural Heritage site.
This is the regular version without the CD (the audio itself is also available on music streaming services and can be listened to).

Travelers: Arata Iura (actor), Kaoru Inoue (DJ/musician), GOMA (didgeridoo artist/painter), Hama Okamoto (OKAMOTO'S), Akiko Oki (novelist), Chiyo Shibata (cheese maker), Takeshi Yoro (anatomist), and others.


Content
1) A mountain trip to Yakushima to see the megaliths - Arata Iura Traveler: Arata Iura, Photography: Rikiya Nakamura, Text: Shinji Kunimoto A trekking trip to Mt. Kuromi that welcomed actor Arata Iura to Yakushima. It also includes a photo book page "Spring on a Mountain Island" that Iura himself took.

2) GOMA: Healing and purifying energy created by the island's nature and ancient sounds
Traveler: GOMA, Photography: Mogi Monica, Text: Tsuchiya Tomoyo Didgeridoo artist GOMA enjoys Yakushima through live music, yoga, hiking and more, and also talks with island resident painter Takada Yuko.

3) Island Soundscape by Kaoru Inoue Traveler: Kaoru Inoue, Photography: Yuya Hasegawa, Text: Hajime Oishi
DJ Kaoru Inoue conducted field recordings on Yakushima and produced an original album based on them.

4) A fertile sea nurtured by the Kuroshio Current and the island's forests. Photos and text by Takakusa. Although Takakusa is an island surrounded by the sea, it is so famous for its Jomon cedars and mossy forests that it is surprisingly little known about its underwater environment. We take a closer look at the real picture.

5) Bouldering Heaven Traveler: Masashi Akuzawa, Photography: Shunzo Tanaka, Text: Tomoyo Tsuchiya Climbing and bouldering are on the rise. Yakushima, an island of granite, is full of famous rock formations. We follow the climbers closely.

6) The allure of extreme sports brought to the island by immigrants Photo: Shu Ito, Text: Tsuchiya Tomoyo The number of skateboarders on the island has suddenly increased. We interviewed the association promoting the sport, as well as a former Japanese BMX champion who recently moved to the island.

7) Living with the Yakusugi Forest Photo: Shu Ito, Text: Tomoyo Tsuchiya A guide to Yakusugi by Yuji Kashima, a master yamayama and owner of the wood shop "Kikori." What is the significance of protecting the forest while utilizing wood?

8) 30 Years of Nature Conservation and the Next 30 Years: Photos by Yamashita Hiroaki and Shu Ito, Text by Tsuchiya Tomoyo. Yakushima is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its designation as a World Heritage Site, but there are still many challenges to overcome in nature conservation. Tezuka Kenji and Yamashita Hiroaki of the Yakushima Evergreen Forest Network talk about it.

9) Looking up at the mountains and thinking about "Songlines of the Southern Seas" Illustration: nakaban, Text: Araki Maho Thoughts on "Matsubanda" by Araki Maho, a researcher at Kobe University Graduate School who served as the historical and folkloric researcher for "Songlines of the Southern Seas."

10) Yakushima Souvenir Shops What souvenirs should you buy on Yakushima? This is a question that is often asked by tourists, so here are some recommended shops from the editorial team at Saunter Magazine.

11) Travel Essays by Hama Okamoto (musician), Akiko Oki (novelist), Chiyo Shibata (cheese maker), and Takeshi Yoro (anatomist)
Essays about Yakushima written by Yakushima lovers.