Sea Turtle Conservation Committee, Yakushima
Eco-tourism Promotional Association
Organizations

Nagatahama Beach, Yakushima

Yakushima Ranger Oﬃce for Nature Conservationof the ministry of the Environment
2739-343 , Ambo , Yakushima-town TEL:0997-46-2992

Kagoshima Prefecture , Nature Conservation Division,Environment and Forestry Aﬀairs

10-1 Kamoike shinmachi , Kagoshima-city TEL:099-286-2111

Kagoshima Prefecture Kumage Branch , Yakushima Oﬃce
650 Ambo , Yakushima-town TEL:0997-46-2211

Yakushima Town , Tourism and Commerce Division

March, 2024 Revised 13th Edition

NAGATAHAMABEACH

849-20 , Koseda , Yakushima-town TEL:0997-43-5900

The Yakushima Environmental and Cultural Foundation
823-1, Miyanoura , Yakushima-town TEL:0997-42-2911

Yakushima Tourism Association

187-1, Ambo , Yakushima-town TEL:0997-46-2333

NPO Yakushima Umigame-kan

805-1 Miyanoura, Yakushima-cho TEL:0997-47-1800

Nagata Sea Turtle Liaison Council

1229 , Nagata , Yakushima-town TEL:0997-45-2280

Sea Turtle Association of Japan

5-17-18-302 , Nagaomotomachi , Hirakata , Osaka TEL:072-864-0335

Nagata Villege

Kurio Villege

Nakama Villege

Issued by / Yakushima Ranger Oﬃce for Nature Conservation
2739-343, Ambo Mae-Dake, Yakushima-town
E-mail：RO-YAKUSHIMA@env.go.jp
TEL:0997-46-2992

Date of issue / March, 2024

Sea Turtle Conservation Committee,Yakushima
Eco-tourism Promotional Association

Yakushima National Park: A designated Ramsar Site

Welcome toNagatahama beach!
The sunset fromNagatahama beach

Nagatahama beach is a place where timeless nature and the life of thepeople unite.
From Okudake (the far mountain), the white sand created from weathered
granite travels down to the beach. In the ﬂowing together with the streamof Nagatagawa River, the sand continues to ﬁnd its way to the beach evennow.
This beach is where the people in Nagata village have long been ﬁshing,playing, and praying, while protecting their invaluable beach.
While migrating throughout the north Paciﬁc, sea turtles have for a very
long time been coming ashore at this beach to lay their eggs.
Within the north Paciﬁc region, Nagatahama beach is the largest nesting
ground for Loggerhead sea turtles.
This brochure outlines the rules we would like every visitor to Nagatahama
beach to follow. We greatly appreciate your cooperation in preserving thebeautiful environment of Nagatahama beach for future generations.

ContentsSea turtle footprints

1 . Before Observing Sea Turtles
2 ．Nagatahama Beach Sea Turtle Observation
3 ．Nagatahama Beach Sea Turtle
Observation Rules
4 ．Sea Turtle Conservation Activities
5 ．Home of Sea Turtles ‒ Nagata Village ‒6 ．Nagatahama Beach Vicinity Map
7 ．Other Nesting Sites in Yakushima
8 ．Rules for Protecting and Observing Sea Turtles
on Kuriohama Beach
9 ．Nagatahama Beach Information
10．Memo35710111213151718

1Before Observing Sea Turtles:the current status of sea turtles

In Nagatahama beach at night, sea turtles come ashore to lay andbury eggs from late April to early August. The eggs hatch fromearly July to late September , and baby sea turtles known as
hatchlings head to the sea.

○An Endangered Species: Sea Turtles
There are seven species of sea turtles worldwide. The three species ofsea turtles which come ashore to lay eggs in Japan are Loggerhead,
Green and Hawksbill. These sea turtles are in danger of extinction due tomany thereats such as marine pollution or deterioration of nesting sites.
*In accordance with the IUCN criterion○Nagatahama beach is a Valuable Nesting Groundfor Loggerhead Sea Turtles.
Nagatahama beach is known to have the highest number of nestingsites in the north Paciﬁc region for Loggerhead sea turtles. With thebeach being an irreplaceable region for sea turtle conservation, it wasdesignated as Yakushima National Park (previously called
Kirishima-Yaku National Park) in 2002. In addition, in 2005, it wasdesignated as one of the Ramsar sites of the Ramsar Convention.

※Ramsar Convention: The Ramsar Convention is aninternational treaty with the mission of providing theframework for conservation and wise use of all wetlands
including the species living in the area.
★Nagatahama beach is a collective term for the three
beaches: Maehama beach, Inakahama beach, andYotsusehama beach.

Nagatahama Beach

It is vital to continue protecting boththe sea turtles and the beaches!

○Sea turtles are very delicate creatures.
Once a sea turtle senses light or theexistence of a human, they stop theirjourney ashore. In addition, with more
visitors, the sand will be stamped ﬁrm,making the hatching of eggs and thehatchlings ability to snuggle out of theirnest diﬃcult.

○Problems which Nagatahama beach is facing
The rate of sea turtle egg laying, and the hatching success (percentageof turtles that hatch from their eggs) has been decreasing in
Nagatahama beach. After being designated as a National World
Heritage Site, the number of tourists arriving to Nagatahama beach has
increased immensely. Every year, approximately 5,000 people travel toNagatahama beach at night to watch sea turtles laying their eggs. The
adverse impact on sea turtles caused by the increasing humaninterference has become a concern.

○To preserve and protect both the sea turtles
and Nagatahama beachAfter a discussion with the related administrative organizations andlocal parties, rules for observing sea turtles in Nagatahama beach weredeﬁned. During the nesting season of sea turtles, we ask everyone torefrain from entering the beach at night.

These rules are not legally binding.
However, to preserve the sea turtles,
we appreciate your understanding
and cooperation in this matter.

2 Nagatahama Beach Sea Turtle Observation●Please do not enter the beach area atnight.

PeriodMay １st - Sept ３０th
８:００ PM to ５:００ AM

Meeting Place: Inakahama Beach Parking
Dates: Early May ~ Mid July 20：30～23：00 ＊Check on HP
Admission Fee: Over 16 years old 2,000 yen/
500yen for ages 15 and under*The funds will be used for activities such as the protection
and conservation of sea turtles.

※Entering the beach areas in a disorderly manner may have adverse
impact on both the sea turtles coming ashore and the hatchlings inthe sand.

Limit of Participants : Up to ５０people/per day
Reservation is required.

●An exception to the rule: Only the participants of the sea turtle
observing tour and staﬀ members are allowed to enter the nesting
beach, during the restriction of nighttime access to the beach.

The observation tours may be canceled due to bad
weather or infectious diseases. Please check in advancewhether or not it will be held.

Information on observation sessions
The tour is held by local residents in Nagata village for sake of sea
turtle protection.
The Sea Turtle Observation Tours will start with an orientation which
provides information on the basic rules and the biology of sea turtles.
Then participants watch a video image of female sea turtles landing.
Staﬀ members will guide you to its nesting site when they start nesting.

Reservations are required for observation sessions.
Please make an appointment using the contact
information below
Inquiries regarding sea turtle observation tour
◯Nagata Sea Turtle Liaison Council
1229, Nagata , Yakushima-town TEL:0997-45-2280
URL：http://nagata-umigame.com/【Reservation/Contact】3/1～Last day of observation

HPWe ask for your kind understanding of the fact that there is always
the possibility of not being able to observe the nesting scene as sea
turtles are living creatures.

3 Nagatahama Beach Sea Turtle Observation Rules
Rules When Observing Sea
Turtle Behavior at Nighttime:

1. Gain a full understanding of sea
turtles beforehand.

6. No recording of any kindincluding cameras andvideo cameras, allowed.
●The intense light from a camera ﬂash and even the dim light from a
video screen can disturb sea turtles.

●Before entering the beach area, please listen to the staﬀ’ s sea turtle
explanations.

7. Do not bring any alcoholic beverages
to the beach.

2. Follow the staﬀ’s instructions at all times.

●As it may disturb others, please refrain from entering the beach area
drunk or with any alcoholic beverages.

●To minimize disturbance to the sea turtles, please follow all
instructions given by the local staﬀ.

3. Turn oﬀ all lights.
●Sea turtles during nesting season avoid light. Also
hatchlings instinctively head toward light.
●Please turn oﬀ all devices that may emit lightincluding ﬂash lights and cell phones.

4. Do not wander around or
make noise.
●When sea turtles sense the presence of a human, they do not comeashore. Please also be on the lookout as there may be hatchlings
wandering around the beach during hatching season.
●Please refrain from making loud noises at night and from walking
around the beach.

5. Do not touch the sea turtles.
●Sea turtles are very sensitive to disturbance, so
please refrain from touching them.
※Capturing sea turtles or collecting their eggs at
Yakushima beach is forbidden under theOrdinance of Kagoshima Prefecture and the
Natural Parks Law.

8. No smoking allowed.
●The light from cigarettes can disturb the seaturtles. Please also refrain from using any
matches or lighters.

9. Take home your garbage.
●Any garbage remaining on the beach will be aninterference both for sea turtles coming ashore
and for hatchlings returning to the sea. Please do
not litter, and be sure to take home all yourgarbage.

10. Do not enter the beach area after
the Sea Turtle Observation Tour.
●After the Sea Turtle Observation Tour (after around 11pm), please do
not enter the beach area. A quiet environment is important for sea
turtles to lay their eggs as well as for baby sea turtles to hatch fromtheir eggs.
※On Nagatahama beach, research activity is conducted for the purposeof sea turtle preservation. This activity is undertaken during nighttime
at the beach and is exclusive to research staﬀ.

Rules Which Apply throughout the Day:
●Do not enter the fenced oﬀ locations
designated for sea turtle protection
・At Nagatahama beach, we have put
in place a fence to protect thehatchlings in high nesting areas.
・Please do not enter fenced oﬀ
locations, as you may accidently stepon the eggs or hatchlings.

●No campﬁres allowed

4 Sea Turtle Conservation Activities
Year1973
1982
1988
2002
2005

A photo of the fence for sea turtle
protection

・There is no knowing where on the beach sea
turtle eggs are buried.
・By building a campﬁre, you create the risk of eggs
or hatchlings in the sand dying from the heat of
the ﬁre. There is the additional risk of hatchlings
entering the ﬁre.

●No camping allowed
・The light originating from campsites may
become a disturbance for sea turtles coming
ashore or hatchlings returning to the ocean.
※Camping in Nagatahama beach (a specialzone of the National Park) is forbidden underthe Natural Park Act.

●Do not take sand home from the beach・Taking sand home from the beach can lead to adecrease in optimal nesting areas for sea turtles
to lay eggs and hatch.
※Collecting sand from Nagatahama beach (aspecial zone of the National Park) is forbidden
under the Natural Parks Law.

2006
2009

Main events
Former Kamiyaku-cho enacted the Kamiyaku
Nature Conservation Ordinance.
A monitoring service for Nagatahama and Issohama beaches
has been started on consignment from the town.
Kagoshima Prefecture enacted the Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance.
→Puts a ban on trapping sea turtles and collecting their eggs.
Nagatahama beach designated asa part of Kirishima - Yaku National Park.
Registered as one of the Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention.
The sea turtle registered as a designated animalin accordance with the Natural Parks Law.
Establishment of the Yakushima eco-tourism Promotional Association established.
The rules for observing sea turtles at Nagatahama Beach are formulated.

2019Sea Turtle Conservation Committee,Yakushima Eco-tourism
Promotional Association established.

2023

The overall concept for promoting Yakushima eco-tourism is decided.

■Regional activities
Admission fee is used for following activities and programs.

Sea turtle conservation activity

・Guidance to night visitors (Sea turtle observation tours held)
Monitoring activity during night・Installation of fences for sea turtle protection
・Transplantation of eggs, rescue of sea turtles, and other activitie

Dissemination andenlightenment activity

・Environmental education

Survey / Research activities

・Survey on the number of sea turtle landings

Environmental protection of the beaches

・Beach cleanup activity ・Management of light-shielding forests

5 Home of Sea Turtles ‒ Nagata Village ‒The mountains soaring high in the centerof Yakushima are called “Okudake (thefar mountains)”. Nagata is the only place
where Mt. Nagata (the Okudakemountain) can be seen from the central
part of the village.

■Nagatahama beach is indispensable tolocal belief and traditional events“Takemairi” is a pilgrimage to a shrine in
Okudake to pray for bountiful crops andﬁsh catches as well as peace and prosperity in the household. Participants cleanse
themselves in the sea and bring the sandfrom the beach to oﬀer at the shrine
located at the summit.
During the traditional performance
known as “Inviting ﬂying ﬁsh,” women oﬀer prayers to Buddha enshrined at
the beach and Ebisu enshrined at the river mouth, then try to invite into theirnests ﬂying ﬁsh while dancing and singing.

■Sea turtles have long been a partof the villagers’ life

Sea turtle eggs used to be precious resources that contributed to the local
diet as a food ingredient and beneﬁtted the local economy.
Even during those days when sea turtle eggs weretaken, there was a belief s u m m a r i z e d i n t h i se x p r e s s i o n : “Be considerate not to take all theeggs. Leave some untouched so that they can hatch.”

6 Nagatahama Beach Vicinity Map

Yakushima

Inakahama Beach
Approximately 30 minutes by car from
Miyanoura Port, 50 minutes by carfrom Yakushima airport.
Take the bus from Yakushima airport
bound for Nagata and get oﬀ at
Inakahama beach.

Inakahama Beach
ParkingMaehamaBeach

Nagata Community Center
Nagata Clinic

Nagata Port

Nagata River

Nagatahama Beachanoura→MiyInakahama BeachdoalRaurtecefPrInakahama
Beach Parking

Admission fee : 1,500 yen

Booking should be made until 3 days before the tour date.

Nagata Stone
Monument

Registration for observation
tour

Why don’t you stroll with local people and get to know
a lot more about Nagata village?
Village strolling tour is conducted in Nagata village.
Contact : 0997-42-2900

Miyanoura

Yotsusehama BeachNaga←ta

Registration forobservation tour

To visitors comingby car at night
Please slow down around theNagatahama beach vicinity
and set your lights to low
beam. Also, please turn yourlights oﬀ when you move inand out parking spaces.
Thank you for your cooperation.

7

Other Nesting Sites in Yakushima

Sea turtles come to lay their eggs on other sandy beaches
besides Nagatahama beach in Yakushima.
Recently, the number and area of nesting sites got
decreased partly due to loss of sand on nesting sites.
Please follow the rules to protect remaining nesting sites
and the endangered sea turtles.
Futatsuhama/Hitotsuhama
Yotsusehama
Inakahama
MaehamaMiyanoura PortHeiwamachi Beach
NagataMt.Miyanouradake

Yakushima Airport
Tashirohama
Anbo Port

Sagoshihama
Kuriohama

KurioNakama

Nakamahama

Inakahama Beach, now and old times / Left:2009 Right:2019

13■Kurio village

Sea turtles come to lay theireggs on Kuriohama beach.
No observation tours such asin Nagatahama beach areconducted.
During the nesting period,
sea turtle monitors leadvisitors and disseminate
rules about observing sea turtles on Kuriohama beach withassistance of supporting guides.
When observing sea turtles, make sure to follow all
instructions from these people and do not wander thebeach by yourself.
※The rules for observing sea turtles at Kurio Beach refer to page15.

■Nakama village
Sea turtles come to lay theireggs on Nakamahama beach.
Please refrain from observing
sea turtles at night on
Nakamahama beach since
there is no car-parking spacearound and no guardrail on
the beach side.
In Nakama village, part of sea turtle eggs are transplanted
into artiﬁcial hatching site and hatchling coming out there
are released as educational activity by children in the village
every year before summer festival.

14

8Rules for Protecting and Observing Sea Turtles
on Kuriohama Beach

Observation tours similar to those at Nagatahama
Beach are not held at Kuriohama Beach, but please
follow any instructions from the sea turtle monitors andbe mindful of the rules below when observing the seaturtles.

HPAt Kuriohama Beach, Kurio Village, Nakama Village, sea turtle monitors,
support guides and administrative oﬃcials form the Kurio Beach Sea
Turtle Liaison Council .

1. No observations after 11 pm.
●This is to prevent disturbing nearby residents.

2. No street parking on prefectural roads around
Kuriohama Beach.
●Please use the beach swimming parking areas.

3. Be aware of your car lights.
●Please set your lights to low beam and away from the sea.
Please do not use your car lights more than is necessary.

4. Follow any instructions from staﬀ.
●Make sure to always follow instructions from the sea turtle monitors
who are wearing the oﬃcial armband and ID.
Please do not go onto the beach unnecessarily, but wait in the restingarea.

5. Listen to the lecture ﬁrst.
●Please listen to the sea turtle monitors explain how
light and sound can harm the sea turtles.

6. Do not enter certain areas unless instructed
to do so.
●Unless instructed to do so by the sea turtle monitors, do not enter theembankment areas or the ﬁshing facilities, etc., from the beach.

7. Do not bring any alcoholic beverages
to the beach.
●This could disturb other people around you. Also, please do not
observe the sea turtles while under the inﬂuence of alcohol.

8. No smoking on the beach.
9. Do not walk around unnecessarily
or make excessive noise.
●Please observe quietly without walking around thebeach unnecessarily, shining lights or making noise.

10. Do not get close to sea turtles coming
to shore or burying into the sand.
11. Do not touch the sea turtles
or their eggs under any circumstances.
12. Do not take videos or photos.
13. Please check where the public restrooms arein advance.
●Please check where the public restrooms arein the parking area in advance.
The entrances will be kept dark because light
can be harmful to the sea turtles.

9 Nagatahama Beach Information

Special notices to mass media and researchers
When visiting Nagatahama beach for the purpose of researchor news reports

Require more information?

①Advance notice is required forbeach entry.

Inquiries regarding sea turtle observation tour

【Contact】The Yakushima Ranger Oﬃce for Nature Conservationof the ministry of the Environment(TEL:0997-46-2992)○Nagata Sea Turtle Liaison Council
1229, Nagata, Yakushima-town TEL：0997‒45‒2280
URL:http://nagata-umigame.com/【Reservation/Contact】3/1~Last day of observation session②Do not use any devices which emit light or ﬂashes.

We ask for your understanding and cooperation.
HP10 MemoInformation about lodging, car rental and taxis◯Yakushima Tourism Association
187‒1, Ambo, Yakushima-town TEL：0997‒46‒2333
Yakushima Tourism Association Oﬃcial Website
URL:https://www.yakukan.jp/
HP（Miyanoura Information Oﬃce）0997‒42‒1019 （Anbo Information Oﬃce）0997‒46‒2333（Airport Information Oﬃce）0997-46-4010

Inquiries regarding rules for sea turtle observation
on Nagatahama beach○Sea Turtle Conservation Committee,Yakushima
Eco-tourism Promotional Association
849-20, Koseda, Yakushima-town TEL:0997-43-5900

HPLearn about sea turtles○Sea turtle exhibition museum
NPO Yakushima Umigame-kan
805-1 Miyanoura, Yakushima-cho TEL:0997-47-1800<Opening hours>9 a.m. to 5 p.m. *Closed on Mondays<Admission Fees>Over 15 years old 500 yen
Free for ages 14 and under

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