Trekking in Yakushima to experience the great nature! Introducing popular tours and the best season!

Trekking Tours in Yakushima

Trekking is probably the first name that comes to mind when talking about popular activities on Yakushima Island, which is also registered as a World Natural Heritage site.

A variety of tours are offered, ranging from hiking-like walks in the forest with beginners and small children to full-scale trekking courses.

Speaking of trekking tours in Yakushima, the mossy forests of Shiratani-unsui Gorge, where you can see scenery like the world of Ghibli, and the Jomon cedars are very famous.

Would you like to experience a wonderful trekking in the power spot of Yakushima?

 

What is Yakushima?

Yakushima, a remote island in Kagoshima Prefecture, was the first island in Japan to be designated a World Natural Heritage site in 1993, and is a very popular tourist destination for both foreign and domestic visitors.

With its fantastic and photogenic Yakushima forests, emerald green rivers, and crystal clear waters, the island is also known as the "Alps of the Ocean" due to its mountain range of more than 1,800 meters above sea level.

Yakushima Island is highly regarded as a power spot, and there are abundant opportunities to experience moving experiences such as the giant Yakusugi cedar trees, which are over several thousand years old, beautiful moss, flora and fauna, and the chance to see yakushika deer and yakusaru monkeys.

Enjoy a moment of healing as you take in the mystical and dynamic scenery and beautiful unspoiled wilderness.

 

How to get to Yakushima

There are two ways to get to Yakushima from Kagoshima: by plane or ferry.

From Kagoshima Airport, it is possible to take a 40-minute flight on Japan Air Commuter flights.

Fly to Kagoshima Airport from Haneda or Narita in Tokyo or Centrair in Aichi, and then transfer to a plane bound for Yakushima.

It takes about 2 hours from Tokyo to Kagoshima.

In addition, there is one direct flight a day from Osaka Itami Airport to Yakushima, providing convenient access for those in the Kansai area.

Direct flights from Osaka Itami Airport take about 1 hour and 20 minutes to Yakushima.

In addition, there are direct flights from Fukuoka Airport, the gateway to Kyushu, to Yakushima Airport, which is 1 hour and 10 minutes away.

For those who access by ferry, there are high-speed ferries "Toppy" and "Rocket" from Kagoshima Port, which take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Seven high-speed ferry services make round trips each day.

The Kagoshima Port Terminal is accessible by the "Dolphin Bus" from Kagoshima Chuo Station, which will take you to the ferry terminal in about 20 minutes.

 

Trekking tours you can enjoy in Yakushima

Trekking tours are the most popular activity on Yakushima.

Walk through the deep forest, experience the fantastic scenery and enjoy the dynamic nature.

There are a variety of trekking tours that can be enjoyed on Yakushima, including routes recommended for beginners, children, and the elderly, as well as courses for advanced hikers who are used to trekking.

Let's take a look at some popular trekking courses.

Please refer to it when you travel to Yakushima.

 

Jomon Cedar Trekking Tour

Some people may want to trek to Jomon Cedars at least once.

The most popular trekking tour on Yakushima is the "Jomon Cedar Course.

Tours to the power spot Jomon cedars from the Arakawa trailhead include a one-day course departing early in the morning and a two-day/one-night course staying overnight at a mountain lodge.

It is 22 kilometers round trip from the trailhead to the Jomon Cedars and takes about 10 to 12 hours.

The Jomon cedars, the symbol of Yakushima, are said to be between 2,000 and 7,000 years old, and are mysterious and impressive.

On the walking tour with a skilled guide, you will walk along a trolley path and view Wilson's stumps, which look like hearts, and husband and wife cedars.

You will enjoy trekking while seeing the rare flora and fauna of Yakushima, as well as yakushima deer and yakumaru monkeys.

During the fall season, Yakushima's endemic species and alpine plants bloom, making the scenery even more beautiful.

Jomon cedar trekking is one of the most highly recommended trekking spots, full of mysterious and dynamic experiences.

 

Hakutani Unsui Gorge Trekking Tour

Shiratani Unsui Gorge, the forest that inspired the Ghibli film Princess Mononoke, is a very popular trekking course that rivals the Jomon Cedars.

It is a popular spot among various generations, including mountain girls, beginners, and three generations of families.

Shiratani Unsui Gorge stretches from 600 meters to 1,300 meters above sea level, and was designated as a natural recreational forest in 1974.

There are courses ranging from three hours to half a day, and courses that pass through Shiratani Unsui Gorge and aim for the Jomon Cedars, so you can choose the course that best suits your physical strength.

The highlight of the Shiratani-unsui Gorge trekking tour is the "moss forest" that is the very world of Ghibli.

The mossy forest, which shows different appearances depending on the weather, becomes even more mysterious when it is foggy, and more fantastic when it rains.

And since Yakushima Island is home to a whopping 650 species of moss, ask a skilled guide to tell you more about them.

Moss is not the only attraction at Kokemusu Forest.

The mossy forest is home to many yakushika deer, which are sure to be very soothing to the visitors.

The Shiratani-unsui Gorge trekking course will give you a great view from Taikoiwa, and you can also see the Shichibonsugi cedar trees, which are more than 2,000 years old.

Visitors can also experience drinking very tasty water from the five beautiful streams in Shiratani-unsui Gorge.

Listen to the murmuring of the river, admire the mysterious moss, and be enchanted by the world of Ghibli.

 

Yakusugiland Trekking Tour

Yakusugiland, which was designated as a natural recreation forest in 1974, allows visitors to enjoy the forests of Yakushima to their heart's content, from hiking to full-scale trekking.

This is a great trekking spot for small children, the elderly, and beginners.

It is located at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,300 meters and offers five trekking trails.

You can enjoy the forest as if you were hiking "Fureai nothe way (of proper conduct, etc.)The "Course" takes about 30 minutes and is recommended for those with young children.

The "Ancient Forest Course," which takes less than one hour to trek, allows visitors to fully enjoy the Yakusugi cedars and catch a glimpse of beautiful prehistoric nature.

The Azalea River Course is ideal for beginner trekkers.

The Tsutsujigawara course, a 1.5-hour hike up the mountain, will be an inspiring time to encounter the beautiful emerald green river, Yakusugi cedars, moss, and other scenery typical of Yakushima.

There is also the "Yakusugi no Mori Course" that takes more than 2.5 hours and the "Astronomical Forest Course" that takes more than 3 hours. During the trekking, the giant cedars that are more than 2,000 years old, such as the Millennium Cedar, Kuguri Cedar, Jamon Cedar, and Mother and Child Cedar, are a sight to behold.

Alpine flora, Yakushima's diverse flora and fauna, and yakushika deer can also be seen, making for a very satisfying trek.

 

What is the best season to enjoy trekking in Yakushima?

Some trekking in Yakushima can be done in any season of the year, but the best seasons to enjoy trekking are spring and fall.

During the summer season, activities such as trekking and stream play on the emerald green river, SUP, and snorkeling are popular, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the ocean, river, and mountains.

But on the other hand, it has the disadvantage of being very crowded.

And in summer, Yakushima coincides with approaching typhoons.

In the winter season, snowy scenery can be seen on Yakushima, where there are a series of high mountains, but Jomon Cedars trekking is not possible.

In spring, cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom, and fresh greenery is very beautiful.

In addition, moss becomes more vibrant in spring, so spring is the best season to visit moss forests.

Also, it is during the fall season in September and October that alpine flora blooms and comfortable temperatures are available for trekking.

The fir trees and cedars begin to turn their beautiful autumn colors from late October to early November, and the autumn leaves reflected in the clear stream are breathtaking.

Check the best season for each point you want to visit and visit Yakushima to enjoy the wonderful scenery.

 

summary

We hope you enjoyed this article on trekking tours in Yakushima.

Deciding in advance which spots you want to visit according to your physical fitness and the time you have to stay will help you enjoy your trip smoothly.

Walk through the deep forest and experience the wonderful nature of Yakushima and refresh your mind and body.

The fantastic scenery unique to Yakushima will surely be a memory you will never forget.

Also, since Yakushima is a World Natural Heritage site, please observe the rules and manners when trekking to protect the environment and enjoy nature to the fullest.

Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.