Follow a Yakushima's least demanding path of boardwalks, stairs, and paved walkways that wraps around the moody valley of the raging Arakawa River. See old Yakusugi trees, epiphytes, and second-generation trees.
In
the valley of the Arakawa River...
...See
thousand-year old ""Yakusugi" trees.
In
the forest in the clouds...
...Trees
cut down hundreds of years ago shelter deer and a new
generation of trees.
Links:
- Official Yakusugiland Website
- Certified Guide List
- Hiking Notification
- Brochure and Island Map
- Trail Times, Bus Schedule
Content last updated in 2020.
- Experience Level:
- Beginner
-rocks/roots, water - Trail Head Access:
- Bus, Car, or Taxi
- Time:
- 30~90 minutes, slow pace
- Round Trip Distance:
- ** km
- Trail Head Elevation:
- 980 m
- Peak Elevation:
- ** m
| Deer/Monkey Sightings | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Yakusugi Trees | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Mossy Forests | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Vista Views | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Endurance | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
| Strength & Technicality | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
| Crowds | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
| Weather Cancellations | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ (Extreme rain, road closures) |
- Costs:
-
The recommended park donation is ¥500 per hiker. Between
Yakusugiland and Anbo, the bus costs around ¥800
each way.
For a guided hike, expect to pay ¥5,000~¥150,000 per hiker. - Getting to the Trailhead (GPS coords: 30.3048, 130.59952):
- The closest town is Anbo. You can take a car (only if you are confident in your driving), taxi, or
bus. There are several buses each day, and you can use the
Yakutani bus pass. Check the bus schedule though, because you may have time to take the bus up to Kigen Sugi as well.
At the trail entrance there is a public shelter open during park hours, with wifi and a small store, but they do not sell food (2020) so make sure you bring a lunch with you.
- Toilets:
- There toilets at the park entrance. As these are provided by the town, ¥100 donation is recommended.
- Equipment List:
- Water Bottle + Lunch, Rain Jacket + Rain Pants, Sneakers, etc.
- The Hike:
- Recent improvements have made the trail less slippery than in the past, but Yakusugiland is one of the rainiest places in
the world, so except trails to be slippery and possibly muddy. (Don't be fooled by the name; this is not a theme park.)
For the shortest walk—under a kilometer—and least stairs possible, just keep turning left after entering the park. You will still pass over two large bridges and through natural tunnels of trees through beautiful, ancient, mossy forests.
I personally suggest the 2-kilometer 50 minute course, which turns back at the stunning suspension bridge over the rapids of the Arakawa River (so you don't actually have to cross it), and then out to the ancient Yakusugi Tree called the Budda Sugi, before returning.
If you want rocks and roots underfoot, then the 80-minute trail continues on the far side of the Arakawa River.
**BE WARNED** The 150-minute and 210-minute courses are MUCH more difficult and are also intended to be hiked at a faster pace.
- In the case of bad weather:
- Walk back the same way you came. Please do not hike on closed trails.
Depending on your carrier, there is cell phone service at the park entrance, and near the front of the park.