Bandai Sugi: A short,
physical climb
From the outset, enter the World Natural Heritage Site and cover some rough terrain on the short but treacherous trail to Bandai Sugi, a tree thought to be 3,000 years old.
Bandai Sugi is a cryptomeria tree said to
be about 3,000 years old.
The trail head is at the entrance to the
World Natural Heritage Site.
When
the fog comes up and the trail and streams start to look
similar.
From the outset, enter the World Natural Heritage Site and cover some rough terrain on the short but treacherous trail to Bandai Sugi, a tree thought to be 3,000 years old.
Bandai Sugi is a cryptomeria tree said to
be about 3,000 years old.
The trail head is at the entrance to the
World Natural Heritage Site.
When
the fog comes up and the trail and streams start to look
similar.
Links:
Content last updated in 2020.
- Experience Level:
- Advanced
-Slippery rocks, steep climb, mild scrambling.
-Leeches in warm months
-Getting Lost - Trail Head Access:
- Car or Taxi
- Time:
- ~3 Hours
- Round Trip Distance:
- 6 km
- Trail Head Elevation:
- 270 m
- Peak Elevation:
- 640 m
| Deer/Monkey Sightings | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Yakusugi Trees | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Mossy Forests | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Vista Views | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Endurance | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
| Strength & Technicality | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
| Crowds | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
| Weather Cancellations | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
- Costs:
-
The town of Yakushima recommends a voluntary donation of ¥1000
(valid for all World-Hertiage Site day hikes in one month) per hiker
and purchase of a disposable toilet kit.
For a guided hike, I used to charge ¥7,000~12,000 per hiker, depending on number of hikers, but most guides may not offer this less popular hike.
¥100 is recommended for use of town-operated toilets at the trail head. - Getting to the Trailhead (GPS coords: 30.2580, 130.5812):
- You can take a taxi or drive. It's also possible, but not recommended, to walk from the village of Haruo. I highly recommend setting out on the trail before noon, as people are known to get lost in this area.
- Toilets:
- There are toilets at the trail head.
- Also of interest:
- Senpiro Waterfall, Bandai Sugi
- Equipment List:
- Water Bottle, Snacks, Headlamp + Batteries, First Aid Kit, Map, Compass, GPS, Rain Jacket + Rain Pants, Hiking Boots, Disposable Toilet Kit, etc.
- The Hike:
- Almost immediately the trail becomes narrow, slippery, and steep. The uphill battle is pretty relentless until shortly before you reach Bandai Sugi. Some years the leeches on this trail are also relentless in warmer months. You'll cross a beautiful valley (which can become quite foggy) with a stream you can drink from, and head uphill just a little farther before reaching the est. 3,000-year old tree named Bandai Sugi. There's a nice space to rest on the rocks in the shadow of Bandai Sugi. This tree is so huge it's easily viewable from the town of Haruo. When you get there, contemplate that the elementary kids from Haruo traditionally climb this far as an annual field trip! Plan extra time for hiking down, as this trail is more slippery than the trails of Yakushima's interior.
- In the case of bad weather
- There's only one way down this mountain. The trail does not usually flood; however it is extremely slippery, and people have been known to get lost. Watch your time, and be careful not to lose the trail. Depending on your carrier, there is cell phone coverage along most of this route.