Understanding what makes Yakushima’s nature unique
NOT A HOTEL DESIGN COMPETITION 2026
NOT A HOTEL seeks to create experiences that transcend the boundaries between travel and living. The places chosen as its stage each carry overwhelming landscapes and stories that exist nowhere else. Yakushima, selected as a candidate site for the “NOT A HOTEL DESIGN COMPETITION 2026,” likewise embodies a unique environment where the essence of Japan’s nature is condensed, together with a culture that has marked the passage of eternity. Architecture here will be situated amidst this immense scale. This article will explain the characteristics of Yakushima as a land.
Nature Beyond Human Scale
Yakushima lies about 60 kilometers south of Kyushu’s mainland, at the southernmost tip of Kagoshima Prefecture. With an area of approximately 504 square kilometers—slightly smaller than Tokyo’s 23 wards—and a circumference of about 130 kilometers, the island is nearly circular in shape. In 1993, it became the first site in Japan to be designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Recognized internationally as a rare location that meets both criteria of “ecosystem diversity” and “outstanding natural beauty,” Yakushima is uniquely valued worldwide. In fact, among Japan’s natural heritage sites, Yakushima is the only one recognized specifically for its “natural beauty.” “When I visited, I was struck by the extraordinary spread of ecosystems, the astonishing vitality and energy of nature. It is a captivating environment that changes its expression with each of the four seasons throughout the year. I also visited areas inhabited by wild monkeys and deer, but even when we approached, they didn’t flee. You get the sense that humans are merely guests in a place where animals and plants live freely on their own terms. It’s a place where you can feel nature in its overwhelming form.” — Hiroki Haji, Project Manager of “NOT A HOTEL YAKUSHIMA,” NOT A HOTEL ARCHITECTS One reason for this overwhelming natural environment lies in the island’s topography. The terrain is extremely rugged, with only limited flatlands; apart from small coastal settlements, the island’s interior is dominated by steep mountains. The highlands, which include Mt. Miyanoura—the highest peak in Kyushu—rise above 1,800 meters, making this one of the regions with the greatest elevation differences in Kyushu. As altitude increases, there is a dramatic shift in climate zones and vegetation, condensing within a single island the entire range of Japan’s vegetation from subtropical plants near the coast to subalpine coniferous forests near the mountaintops. Specifically, the island hosts a striking vertical distribution: banyan trees and sago palms along the coast, sudajii (Japanese chinquapin) and camellias on the slopes, and higher up, Yakusugi cedars, firs, and hemlocks. This remarkable vertical diversity is why Yakushima is also called the “Alps on the Ocean.”
A Rainy Climate
“On Yakushima, it rains 35 days a month.” This striking expression, written by Fumiko Hayashi in her novel Ukigumo (Floating Clouds), vividly captures the island’s climate. In fact, Yakushima’s average annual rainfall measures about 4,500 mm in the lowlands and between 8,000 and 10,000 mm in the mountainous regions—far exceeding more than twice the national average for Japan. This abundant rainfall provides water resources across the island, nurturing moss-covered forests, countless waterfalls, and lush vegetation. Despite the island being only about 40 km from north to south, rainfall varies greatly by region. The southern area, where the project site is located, tends to be sunnier, while the eastern side sees more rain. This is due to the presence of Mt. Yaedake in the island’s center: moist northwesterly winds hit the mountain and, by the time they pass over to the south, they dry out, bringing clear weather. It’s a phenomenon that evokes the same climatic dynamics found between the Sea of Japan side and the Pacific side of Honshu—compressed here into a single island. For nature, this rainfall is a blessing, but for humans and architecture, it isn’t always favorable. In addition to heavy rainfall, the island lies along the path of typhoons, meaning strong winds and rain are frequent. This makesYakushima’s climate a crucial factor in architectural planning. Yet the rain should not necessarily be seen as wholly negative. “I think the abundance of rain is a very significant factor. Usually, rain tends to be viewed negatively, but if it can be transformed into something positive, it could create an irreplaceable experience. For example, instead of simply draining rainwater away, one could collect it to form a waterfall, turning it into a unique feature. I hope participants in the competition will take on the challenge of designing architecture that makes people look forward to the rain.” — Haji
The Lives of People on Yakushima
How have people lived in relation to Yakushima’s nature? At first glance, the island’s natural forests may appear untouched, but in reality, they have changed alongside human activity. During the post-war period, there was a period of overlogging, but afterwards strict management and protection policies were put in place as the forests became national property. Today, areas such as “Yakusugi Land” and “Shiratani Unsuikyo” have been developed to balance conservation with tourism. In this way, Yakushima’s nature has been passed down in a unique form—“protected, yet open.” Looking at daily life, hydropower generation, harnessing the island’s abundant rainfall and steep terrain, was established early on and now supplies nearly all of Yakushima’s electricity. The island’s consistently heavy rainfall ensures a stable water supply, while its rivers with large elevation differences allow for efficient power generation. As a result, Yakushima is one of the few regions in Japan that comes close to complete energy self-sufficiency. This circular system is a symbol of a lifestyle lived in coexistence with nature. The relationship with nature can also be seen in the island’s traditional houses. Granite stone walls and Yakusugi cedar-clad exteriors are designed to withstand storms and heavy rain, carrying forward wisdom born of living alongside a harsh natural environment. This interplay between people and nature shapes Yakushima’s unique landscape. *However, in this competition, following these traditional forms is not a requirement. Tourist attractions are also closely tied to natural experiences. In addition to trekking through primeval forests such as the Jomon Sugi cedar and Shiratani Unsuikyo, visitors can take in breathtaking views from Mt. Mocchomu and marvel at dynamic waterfalls such as Senpiro Falls and Oko-no-taki. Along the coastline, attractions include Nagata Inakahama, known for sea turtle nesting, as well as diving and kayaking opportunities. Yakushima thus offers an environment where one can fully enjoy both the mountains and the sea.
The Site for “NOT A HOTEL DESIGN COMPETITION 2026”
The competition site is located on a mountain slope. Like the planned “NOT A HOTEL YAKUSHIMA” on the seaside, it is surrounded by rich vegetation that embodies the vitality of Yakushima’s nature. Because of its elevation, the atmosphere shifts dramatically with the weather—clear skies and overcast days leave entirely different impressions, and there are days when heavy rain obscures all visibility. While the lowlands have a subtropical climate, the temperature drops as the elevation rises, and snow even accumulates on the mountain peaks. The contrasting scenery of subtropical trees with snow-capped mountains rising behind them is a unique feature of this location. “If I had to describe the competition site in a single phrase, it would be ‘time in flux.’ Surrounded by abundant vegetation, you can experience the gradational shifts of the seasons. Even day to day, the mood changes completely between sunshine and clouds, and at times sudden downpours reduce visibility to almost nothing. It’s a site that constantly reveals different expressions depending on the moment.” — Haji The site itself includes several features: an existing pond, and areas where rock surfaces are exposed on the slope. While these elements give the site character, participants are not required to preserve or incorporate them. If they do not align with the concept of your envisioned space, they can be disregarded—but of course, if you find them attractive, you are encouraged to make use of them. “Of course, the competition is about architectural design at its core, but what matters most is the quality of the experience that guests can have through that architecture. I look forward to seeing proposals that vividly imagine what life or a stay in this place could be like—designs that make us feel excited and say, ‘Wow, this kind of lifestyle could be possible here!’” — Haji
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Akihiro Okamoto
NewColor inc