activity

    Jomon cedar

    A journey to discover the “King of the Forest”—a sentinel of time, standing strong through the ages.
    The Jomon-sugi cedar has long watched over the forest, in quiet stillness.Tracing the ancient pulse of Yakushima’s land, this journey leads you through a forest woven with light and shadow.At the end of a mountain trail where human activity and nature’s memory intertwine, you encounter a presence beyond words.More than its overwhelming size, experience the emotion of being face-to-face with time itself.The journey naturally stirs up a longing to see out once-in-a-lifetime discovery on your own two feet."

    Basic information

    Season
    Year-round (except in the event of a weather warning or while snow cover is present)
    From March 1 to November 30, access to the trail requires taking the Arakawa Mountain Shuttle Bus (chartered buses and taxis are allowed)
    Standard Duration
    Activity time: Approx. 10 h round-trip
    Schedule when departing from Sankara: Depart at 4:00am, return at 5:30pm
    Required Hiking Gear
    Round-trip bus ticket (March–November): ¥2,000
    Donation entering mountain area (junior high school students and above): ¥1,000
    Hiking boots, rain gear for hiking (jacket and pants), backpack and cover.
    (Hiking equipment is available for rental. As availability is limited, please inform us of the items you require in advance.)
    Packed meals (breakfast and lunch)
    Drinks (at least 500 ml, refill points available)
    Snacks (easy-to-eat foods)
    Headlamp (in winter)
    Recommended Additional Gear
    Trekking poles, folding umbrella
    Packed meals
    Packed breakfast: Parcels of bread are available at the lobby, which can be picked up before you depart.
    Packed lunch: Orders are accepted until 7:00pm the day before.
    *Orders must be collected prior to departure for the trailhead.
    Schedule
    4:00am: Depart from hotel
    5:00am: Depart from Yakusugi Shizenkan Museum on the Arakawa Mountain Shuttle Bus
    5:35am: Arrive at Arakawa Mountain Trailhead (toilet break)
    5:45am: Start hike
    6:35am: Site of Kosugidani Village
    7:15am: Kusugawa Junction (toilet break)
    8:30am: Okabu Trail Entrance (toilet break)
    9:00am: Wilson’s Stump
    10:00am: Daio-sugi cedar (the great king cedar)
    10:30am: Jomon-sugi cedar
    1:00pm: Okabu Trail Entrance
    4:00pm: Arrive back at Arakawa Mountain Trailhead
    4:30pm: Depart on the Arakawa Mountain Shuttle Bus
    5:05pm: Arrive at Yakusugi Shizenkan Museum
    5:30pm: Arrive at hotel
    Restroom
    3 restrooms (Arakawa Mountain Trailhead, Kosugidani, and Okabu Trail Entrance)
    2 portable toilet booths (Near refill point and Daio-sugi cedar)
    Access
    Rental car:
    March to November: Access by private cars is restricted (not applicable to chartered buses and taxis).
    Yakusugi Shizenkan Museum is about 30 min. from Sankara.
    Parking lot available (160 spaces).
    Access requires using the Arakawa Mountain Shuttle Bus.
    December to February: Private car restrictions are lifted.
    The Arakawa Mountain Trailhead is 1 h 10 min. from Sankara.
    Parking lot available (20 spaces).
    Bus: Take the bus bound for Yakusugi Shizenkan Museum/Anbo Port from Botanical Research Park, the closest stop to Sankara. Disembark at Yakusugi Shizenkan Museum and transfer to the Arakawa Mountain Shuttle Bus.
    Taxi: Advance booking is required.
    Estimated guide fee
    From 15,000yen per person (including tax and insurance. Private guided tours are available for an additional fee)
    The fee varies depending on the number of participants. Please check the website of each guide company for details.
    Advice
    The Jomon-sugi cedar, considered a symbol of Yakushima, is one of the largest and oldest cedar trees in Japan, estimated to be around 7,200 years old. Reaching it is a truly memorable experience—a rigorous 22 km round-trip hike through deep forest taking 10 to 12 hours.The hike begins along the gentle incline of the Anbo Forest Railway Track, where you can take in the island’s natural beauty and gain a deeper sense of the history of its people.As the trail leaves the track to head deeper into the mountains, you pass landmarks like Wilson's Stump, famous for the heart-shaped view of the sky from inside, the majestic Daio-sugi cedar, which is over 3,000 years old, surrounded by the deep forests of the Natural World Heritage site.Reaching the Jomon-sugi cedar inspires a powerful moment as you stand face-to-face with the “King of the Forest,” which has withstood the passage of time for thousands of years.Since ancient times, Japanese people have believed that spirits dwell in great trees and massive stones—and this hike brings you close to such treasured natural phenomena.As the trail can feel very different depending on your physical condition, preparing well in advance before attempting the hike is highly recommended to maximize your enjoyment.