Minshuku Yakushima

The room was spacious and comfortable, with a fridge, TV, and the usual basics. The price is good, there's a bus stop right outside with about one bus an hour to the main sights, and restaurants and a supermarket are nearby. Shared facilities include a bathroom, an onsen with showers, a lounge and dining area, and a laundry room. Minshuku Yakushima is a moderate walk from the northern port, the less-used one on Yakushima. I would really only suggest staying here if you know Japanese. The owner seemed nice, but spoke no English, which is fine, and I had trouble communicating even with translation apps. He couldn't find my booking, and I wasn't sure whether I'd paid, how much I'd paid, or what it covered. He gave me the wrong room key, too. There were lots of handwritten signs my translation app couldn't read, and I didn't feel comfortable asking about things. I heard some guests had meals and what looked like bento lunches, but I couldn't tell if they cost extra or were any good. Don't expect to sleep past dawn: thin curtains, some windows without a way to block the light, and loud announcements outside had me waking very early and going to bed early to make up for it. If you're comfortable having these conversations in Japanese, it may work for you. I felt uneasy and uncertain because of the language barrier and my own lack of confidence.