Yakushima - Taikoiwa
What is Taikoiwa?
Taikoiwa is located at the goal of the 5.6-km Taikoiwa trekking course from the entrance to Shiratani-unsui Gorge.
It is located further into the interior from Mononoke no Mori (moss forest), about 10 minutes up a steep mountain path from Tsuji Pass.
Made of massive granite exposed from the mountain slopes, it looks like an observatory created by nature to look out over the forests of Yakushima.
The atmosphere of the forest is completely different from that of the overgrown forest up to that point, with clear blue skies and a 360-degree panoramic view.
Benches are set up on the taiko rocks, and when the weather is nice, napping in the fresh air and pleasant sunlight is the best thing to do.
Also, lunch sitting on a bench is exceptional.
Taikoiwa is depicted in the Ghibli movie Princess Mononoke as the place where Ashitaka and Moro (the mountain dog who took San's mother's place) confronted each other.
The trek to Taikoiwa in Shiratani-unsui Gorge is said to be the hardest of all the treks in Yakushima.
It is wise to take a guided tour.
How to get to Taikoiwa
Taikoiwa is located approximately 22 minutes by car from Miyanoura Port.
It can be found by following the road south on Prefectural Route 594.
The White Valley River flows through the area and should be a good landmark.
Detail of Taikoiwa
| Location | Miyanoura, Kamiyaku-cho, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima, Japan (View on Map) |
| Access | From Miyanoura Port, take the Yakushima Kotsu Bus bound for Shiratani-unsuikyo (40 minutes), get off at the last stop, and walk for 2 hours and 15 minutes (the bus is closed during the winter). |
| parking lot | - |
| toilet | - |
| Business Hours | - |
