Solar eclipse July 22nd 2009

[B-mies]

Hello, I will be going to Japan this summer and I found out that a total solar eclipse will occur in July. In Yaksuhima Island the eclipse will last about 4 minutes max. This is great for me, because I'd really like to go to Yakushima, and now I could even see a solar eclipse!

Do you know if it will be very busy and touristy in Yakushima at that time? I know that the Tokara Islands were booked full like years ago, and I'm a little concerned about Yakushima, as I planned to stay there for 3-5 days. Any information is greatly apprecieated.

Do you yourself have any plans for the eclipse this summer?

I recently learned that only 4200 visitors are allowed on Yakushima at that time, and the deadline for the lottery was a week ago. Do you know if have any chance of being on Yakushima on 22.7? I already mailed the Yakushima town office.

 

[Illusional]

it will be a great experience. however, after you're first solar eclipse, you'll realize that you'll never need to see another one in your life.

raverboy

 

[craftsman]

The eclipse on Yakushima is going to start at 9.37am and will be completely eclipsed sometime between 10.55-11.00am. The process finishes at 12.23pm. The numbers of visitors to view this on Yakushima have sensibly been restricted to 4,500 due to the capacity of the island's infrastructure. Any more and it just can't cope. So in answer to your question yes it will be very busy and touristy at that time!

I'm afraid Feb 27th was the last day of applications and the special hotlines and email address has now been closed. The lucky few out of those applications will be drawn by lottery on March 20th.

As to the practicalities of restricting visitors there's little information at the moment so I don't know how it's going to work. There'll be more info when it comes on my website and I'll let you know here.

(Hello to anyone who remembers me! It's been a while!)

 

[craftsman]

I have some more info about the eclipse.

In practical terms what the numbers restriction means is that from July 19th to July 25th access by ferry and jet foil is tightly controlled by the town hall. If you don't have permission, you can't board during these dates.

The plane however is not controlled and should you wish to take a day trip or if you have connections on the island who can provide you accommodation it is possible to fly there during these dates. Without evidence of fixed accommodation however it will be difficult and plane tickets will of course be sought after.

If you want to see Yakushima, which in my opinion is immeasurably better than a momentary eclipse, go at another time!