By 2008 the price should be somewhat lower--and many Yakushima residents, subsidized by the government, are likely to be driving them.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Tourists who visit Yakushima will be required to ride hydrogen-powered buses.

FORBES: Mister Natural

"I heard that Iceland was planning to switch its economy over to hydrogen, and I realized we could do it way faster on Yakushima, " says Taniguchi.

FORBES: Mister Natural

Hiking among the high peaks and mossy forests is the main activity on Yakushima, but the island is also home to some excellent coastal onsen and a few sandy beaches.

BBC: Japan��s top five hiking spots

The 338-square-mile Yakushima makes a perfect test case.

FORBES: Mister Natural

Keep in mind that Yakushima is a place of extremes: the mountains wring every last drop of moisture from the passing clouds and the interior of the island is one of the wettest places in Japan.

BBC: Japan��s top five hiking spots

Can the Yakushima model be exported?

FORBES: Magazine Article

Hirauchi Kaichu onsen, the tidal pool in which the man and I were poaching, is on Yakushima, an island whose cedar forest earned a spot on Unesco's World Heritage List (and was the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's anime classic "Princess Mononoke").

WSJ: Soak Up Japan's Oases of Calm (Bonus: Snow Monkeys)