Yakushima Sea Turtle Conservation Activities

Sea turtles of Yakushima

The main location for sea turtle nesting on Yakushima is Nagatahama (the collective name for Inakahama, Maehama, and Yotsusehama), the island's largest sandy beach. This beach is known as the largest nesting site for loggerhead turtles in the North Pacific and is also registered as a Ramsar Convention wetland. Nesting has also been confirmed at Kuriohama and Nakamahama  

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While loggerhead turtles are the primary sea turtles that nest on Yakushima, a small number of green turtles have also been spotted.
According to Ministry of the Environment data, these sea turtles spend most of their lives at sea, with only females coming ashore to lay eggs. They are said to take approximately 30 years to reach maturity.

Both loggerhead and green turtles are listed as endangered species by the Ministry of the Environment's Red List and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The fact that it takes sea turtles 30 years to reach maturity means that a decline in nesting success and a decline in hatchling survival rates today will have a direct impact on populations decades from now. If a given year's hatchling population does not survive due to beach degradation or climate change, the absence of reproductive adults for that generation will become apparent 30 years from now. This time lag obscures the true scale of population decline and the effectiveness of conservation measures, making continuous long-term monitoring essential. This shows that protecting sea turtles is not a short-term solution, but a multi-generational effort.

Spawning season

Female sea turtles emerge from the sea with all their might and choose a safe place above the high tide line. They then skillfully use their hind legs to slowly dig a body pit to fit their entire body inside and a deep egg chamber to lay their eggs in. Loggerhead turtles lay an average of 90 to 130 eggs at a time. After laying the eggs, they carefully cover the nest with sand using their hind legs to camouflage it before returning to the sea  

The spawning season on Yakushima is mainly from late April to early August, with peak activity between 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM

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Considering the enormous amount of energy sea turtles expend in laying their eggs and their vulnerability during this process, it is clear how important quiet, undisturbed beaches are. Even the slightest disturbance, such as light or the presence of a human, can cause sea turtles to give up on laying their eggs and return to the sea, a "false landing." 

Therefore, according to local rules, entry to the beach at Nagatahama will be restricted from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM from May 1st to September 30th

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Baby turtles leave

The eggs left behind by sea turtles are heated by geothermal heat in the sand and hatch in about 45 to 75 days. The hatching season on Yakushima runs from early July to late September. Once hatched, the baby turtles work together to dig their way through the sand over the course of three to seven days, then wait until darkness falls before crawling out of their burrows and heading for the sea  

The main cue that leads hatchlings towards the sea is that the sky over the ocean appears brighter than on land. However, this instinctive behaviour can backfire in modern environments. Street lamps, house lights and flashlights can lure hatchlings away from the sea, potentially killing them

Additionally, sandy beaches that have been trampled down by human foot traffic make it difficult or even impossible for baby turtles to emerge onto the surface on their own. In recent years, the percentage of baby turtles that have hatched at Nagatahama that make it to the sea (return rate) has been only around 35-50%, and it has been pointed out that one of the reasons for this is the compaction of the sand. Garbage on the beach also poses a major obstacle for small baby turtles

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Protecting Sea Turtles: Conservation Activities on Yakushima

A variety of organizations and people are working together to protect Yakushima's sea turtles and their nesting grounds

Yakushima's sea turtle conservation is a multifaceted model of collaboration between the national government, local governments, specialized nonprofit organizations, and the local community. Each actor brings their own strengths (legal authority, scientific expertise, field management capabilities, local knowledge, etc.) to the table, enabling a more comprehensive approach

For example, the "Nagatahama Sea Turtle Observation Rules" were created by a collaborative organization called the Yakushima Town Ecotourism Promotion Council

The shift from once relatively free beach access to managed viewing tours is an example of an adaptive management strategy that seeks to balance growing tourist interest with the need to protect sea turtles. Rules such as no lights and guided tours aim to provide an inspiring experience for people while minimizing disturbance

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Introduction to sea turtle observation events

The hotel is introducing this sea turtle egg-laying viewing event.
To promote understanding of sea turtles, if you are interested, please apply below.

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[Nighttime Sea Turtle Viewing Tour]
Led by a specialist guide, you may be able to witness the moment when a mother turtle lays her eggs, desperately trying to keep her alive, on a quiet beach at night. In this special space, where only the sound of the waves resonates, you will have an unforgettable experience of experiencing the mystery and power of life up close. While learning the rules of sea turtle conservation, you will quietly watch over this ancient activity.

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This year's sea turtle observation event has ended

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Conclusion: Yakushima's sea turtles and our responsibility

Makoto Goto, Representative of THE HOTEL YAKUSHIMA / Chairman of the Yakushima Tourism Association

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Yakushima's sea turtles are crucial to the overall North Pacific, but their future faces numerous threats, from local human disturbance and light pollution to global climate change and marine plastic pollution

Egg production data fluctuates from year to year, with some years seeing increases and others seeing decreases. This variability means that short-term trends alone do not paint the whole picture, and long-term monitoring and flexible management tailored to the situation are important.
The challenge of balancing economic activities like tourism with sea turtle conservation will continue. Finding sustainable solutions that benefit both the local economy and wildlife will be key to long-term success. This requires ongoing dialogue and cooperation between all stakeholders.

We believe that making these efforts to protect sea turtles and the environmental issues they face more widely known is an essential step towards creating a sustainable community that coexists with this precious natural environment and passes on its abundant blessings to the future , and towards continuing to protect sea turtles, an irreplaceable species .

Each of us must take to heart our shared responsibility to protect this precious natural heritage so that the sea turtles of Yakushima can continue to return to the sandy beaches of this beautiful island to find their lives

It will be a gift to future generations

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P.S.:

The reason that Yakushima's sea turtles have been able to return to the island's beaches for generations is not only due to the island's rich natural environment, but also thanks to the deep understanding and cooperation over many years of the local community, who have watched over the beaches every day and cherished coexistence with the sea turtles. The story of the sea turtles' lives is firmly connected not only to the beautiful sea and beaches, but also to the warm feelings of the people who live there

We also offer a "Sato Meguri" tour, which allows you to experience the lifestyle and culture of the people of Yakushima, located right next to the beach where sea turtles nurture their lives. You may encounter old stone walls that tell the story of the island's history, narrow streets filled with the wisdom of daily life, and above all, the smiling faces of the people who live there

Along with learning about the mysteries of nature and the brilliance of life that the sea turtles teach us, we hope you will also visit the island to discover the profound charm of its villages, another treasure. We hope that getting to know both the beaches and villages of Yakushima will make your trip even more enriching