Hiking in Yakushima is a great way to see Yakusugi - natural cedar trees in Yakushima that are more than 1,000 years old. You can find them at locations more than 500m above sea level.
For more detailed route and times between points, download Hiking trail map from our Download Files page.
Before you go on a hike, read our Hiking Etiquette page
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Popular hike
Shiratani Unsuikyo - (Taiko-iwa Rock)
Distance: 2.5km Time: 5 hours Ascent: 430m
It is a natural forest at an altitude of 600 to 1050m, where you can see beautiful Yakusugi cedar trees.
There are three different walking courses, the Yayoisugi cedar course, the Bugyosugi cedar course and the Taikoiwa rock round trip course.
The foot of the forest is covered with ferns and moss reminiscent of a beautiful garden. It has inspired the scenes for the animation, "Princess Mononoke" and the view surrounding Taikoiwa rock is very popular.
Admission: 500 yen per person for high school students or above, 400 yen per person for groups of 15 people or more.
(Forest Environmental Enhancement Promotion Fund)
Hours: Anytime (the administrative building is open from 8: 30 to 16: 30 )
Closed: Open all the year (may close when weather warning has been issued )
Facilities: Accessible toilets available at the entrance, toilets and disposable toilet booths at Shiratani Hut.
Transport: Bus top at Shiratani Unsuikyo (No.29) or 30 minute drive from Miyanoura
Parking: 30 spaces
Safety: Do not cross the rivers when the water levels are high. Snowfall in winter
Tel: 0997-42-3508
Website: http://y-rekumori.com/
Distance: 0.8 to 4.4km Time: 30 to 210 min
Popular hike
Yakusugi Land
Distance: 0.8 - 4.4km Time: 30-210 min
A natural forest with many Yakusugi cedar trees located at an altitude of 1000 m. There are four different walking courses, 30 min, 50 min, 80 min and 150min in the ancient cedar forest.
Admission: 500 yen per person for high school students or above, 400 yen per person for groups of 15 people or more.
(Forest Environmental Enhancement Promotion Fund)
Hours: Anytime (the administrative building is open from 8: 30 to 16: 30 )
Closed: Open all the year (may close due snow in winter)
Facilities: Accessible toilets available
Transport: Yakusugi Land Bus stop(No.71), or a 30minute drive from Anbo
Tel: 0997-42-3508
Website: http://y-rekumori.com/
Popular hike
Jomon-sugi Cedar
Distance: 10.7km Time: 8-10 hours Ascent: 610m
At an altitude of 1,300m, Jomonsugi is the largest Yakusugi cedar that has been confirmed (25.3m high an 16.4m in circumference). It is estimated to be 2,170-7,200 years old.
From Arakawa Trailhead, it's a 8 km walk on the rail tracks from about 2.5 km and climb. Other Yaku cedar such as Wilson stump and Daio cedar can be seen. Jomon cedar hike is a popular hike, but hike with proper hiking gear.
Wilson's Stump
Located at an altitude of 1,030m on the way to Jomonsugi Cedar, Wilson's Stump is Yakushima's largest stump (13.8m in circumference). The estimated age is 3,000 years old. It said to have been cut down around 400 years ago when it was given as a gift to Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who was a Japanese daimyō and politician of the late Sengoku period. In 1914, it was introduced to the world by a botanist, Dr. A. H. Wilson.
Facilities: 4 toilets (Arakawa Trailhead, Kosugidani, Ookabu Trail entrance, Takatsuka Hut), 2 disposable toilet booths (Daiosugi, Takatsuka Hut)
Transport: Take the Arakawa Mountain Bus from Yakusugi Museum to Arakawa Trailhead (700 yen one-way or 1400 yen return). Or 40 minutes by car from Anbo.
*From March 1 to November 30, Arakawa Trailhead is only accessible by Arakawa Mountain Bus.
Parking: 20 spaces at Arakawa trailhead from December to February. 160 spaces at Yakusugi Museum from March to November.
Safety: steep climbs on route, snowfall in winter
Yakushima Mountain Environmental Conservation Donation: 1,000 yen for a day trip/ 2,000 yen for staying the night in the mountain. Thank you for your corporation.
Popular hike
Mt. Miyanoura and Mt. Kuromi
Mt. Miyanoura
Distance: 7.8km Time: 9-10 hours Ascent: 571m
Mt. Kuromi
Distance: 5.4km Time: 6-7 hours Ascent: 466m
Also known as the Alps on the ocean, Mt. Miyanoura is the highest mountain in Kyushu. You can see the many mountains within the World Heritage Area on the trail. The view from the summit is magnificent with the seas all around.
Facilities: 2 toilets (Yodogawa Trailhead and Yodogawa Hut)
3 disposable toilet booths (Yodogawa Hut, Hananoego, Okina Junction)
Transport: 25 minute walk from Kigensugi bus stop (No.72).
1 hour drive from Anbo to Yodogawa Trailhead
Parking: about 8 spaces
Safety: This trail is unsuitable for beginners, There is snowfall in winter. The path is easy to get lost on
Distance: 0.8 to 4.4km Time: 30 to 210 min
Janokuchi-taki
Distance: 3.5km Time: 4-5 hours Ascent: 410m
A hike to Janokuchi waterfalls, relatively low in climbing difficulty but you'll still need proper hiking gear to hike. Do take care as the path maybe difficult to follow due to fallen trees.
You can observe the transition of vegetation from subtropical to temperate zone and cedar deciduous broad-leaved forest. The change of geology from mud stone to sandstone and granite. The trail is suitable to hike all year as it stays snow-free in winter, do not go after heavy rain as the rivers level rise and won't be safe to cross.
Transport: 10 minute walk from Onsen Iriguchi bus stop (No.98) or 3 minute drive from Onoaida.
Trailhead next to Onoaida hot spring.
Safety: The path is easy to get lost on. Do not cross rivers when water levels are high.
Distance: 0.8 to 4.4km Time: 30 to 210 min
Challenging hike
Mt. Tachu
Distance: 4.1km Time: 6 - 7 hours Ascent: 497m
The hike for Mt. Tachu starts from Jamonsugi Cedar (fallen tree) on Yakusugi Land's 150-minute course . Walk through beautiful forests, such as the Kohanayama Forest and Tenmon-no-mori Forest and hike up the steep ridge to the summit at 1,497m. At the summit there is a 40m pyramid shaped natural stone on a pedestal, almost like an art piece. On a clear day, you can overlook the Anbo village, and in June, Yakushima Rhododendron bloom near the summit.
Facilities: 1 toilet by the car park and 1 disposable toilet booth by Jamonsugi Cedar
Transport: Yakusugi Land Bus stop (No.71), or a 40minute drive from Anbo
Parking: 20 spaces
Safety: The path is easy to get lost on. Snowfall in winter. Unsuitable for beginners.
Distance: 0.8 to 4.4km Time: 30 to 210 min
Challenging hike
Mt. Mocchomu
Distance: 2.5km Time: 6 - 7 hours Ascent: 667m
Also known as Matternhorn of the East Pacific, Mt. Mocchomu is a streneous hike along with Mt Aiko. The climb from the trailhead to Bandai-sugi cedar is especially steep and care needs to be taken when climbing downhill as well. Enjoy the magnificent view of the plains of the island and the Pacific Ocean from the summit. This trail is suitable all year as it remains snow-free in winter.
Transport: 40 to 50 minute walk from Tainokawa bus stop (No.87) or 15 minute drive from Hara.
Trailhead by Senpiro-no-taki viewing spot.
Parking: 15 spaces
Safety: The path is easy to get lost on. Steep climb. Do not cross rivers when the water levels are high. Unsuitable for beginners.
Distance: 0.8 to 4.4km Time: 30 to 210 min
Challenging hike
Mt. Aiko
Distance: 4km Time: 6 - 7 hours Ascent: 1,058m
Mt. Aiko, one of the long and streneous hikes in Yakushima, can been seen from the airport. Enjoy the wonderful view of the mountains including Mt. Miyanoura and islands such as Tanegashima on a clear day.
Remember to bring plenty of water with you since there is little water points on the trail.
Transport: 40 minute walk from Koseda bus stop (No.44).
Parking: 2 to 3 spaces
Safety: The path is easy to get lost on. Steep climb. Do not cross rivers when the water levels are high. Unsuitable for beginners.
