Yakushima- Sandai Cedar

What is Sandai Cedar?

The life span of a typical cedar tree is said to be about 500 years, but Yakusugi is said to have an exceptionally long life span due to the high resin content of the soil and the high rainfall and humidity of Yakushima, which prevents rotting.

Not only does it have a long lifespan, but it also has a strong and dynamic sense of vitality, and it is the third generation Japanese cedar.

The Sandai cedars are estimated to be about 500 years old, so strictly speaking, they are not Yakusugi, but are counted in the category of kosugi (small cedar).

As the name implies, these three generations of cedars are young shoots that grew on stumps that had been cut down.

The first generation was cut down 2,000 years ago, and the second generation about 1,000 years ago. The stumps of these trees have come to life and are a mystery of nature.

However, it is actually not so uncommon for Yakusugi cedars to have young shoots grow in places that have been cut down or felled and are now exposed to the sun.

You can see the Sandai cedars on the way to climb the mountain to see the Jomon cedars.

It is located 5.4 km from the Arakawa trailhead at an elevation of 700 m.

Since it is roughly half the distance to the Jomon Cedars, the Sandai Cedars can be used not only for sightseeing, but also as an approximate marker of the distance to the Jomon Cedars.

Directions to Sandai Cedar

The three generations of cedars are,It is located approximately 40 minutes by rental car or 45 minutes by bus from the Miyanoura area.

For rental cars

From Prefectural Road 77, when you see Matsubanda Kotsu, a red building on your right, turn right at the intersection with the Naono Suisan sign.

Then follow the road to the Arakawa Climbing bus parking lot (Yakusugi Shizenkan).

After parking, transfer to the Arakawa Climbing Bus.