If you pick up a book about Yakushima and it’s filled with moss-green forests, then the chances are you are looking at Shiratani Unsuikyo.
Shiratani Unsuikyo is relatively easy to access and therefore it is a popular destination. Due to its ease of access, some visitors are tempted to “going-it-alone” at Shiratani Unsuikyo, but they miss so much. The hike around the forest with a YES guide is easily twice as long as it would be if you go by yourself which is an indication of how you much you will miss out. Consider the Shiratani Unsuikyo Tour as a “must do” and leave the forest feeling inspired rather than just ticking it off a list.
If you only have an hour or so then this tour would head straight up to see Yayoi sugi – a 3,000 year old sugi nestled on the hillside – and through some very scenic forest along a paved route. A longer walk would also include part of the genseirin trail.
A short tour of 4 hours would include the quieter primeval forest trail towards the three-footed sugi. This area is a beautiful moss and river area.
Heavy rain can force the Shiratani Unsuikyo forest to be closed due to some dangerous river crossings, but we are often able to take alternative courses that can avoid these dangerous river crossings.
Tour Information
There are many water access points along this hike.
Level 2/5 | Distance: 1 – 4km | Time 1 – 4 hours | Altitude 600 ～ 800m
Shiratani Unsuikyo Tour fees
Options & Prices | Open Tour - Guide with English ability | Private Tour - Guide with English ability | Open Tour - Native English Guide | Private Tour - Native English Guide |
1 person | 39,000 yen | 49,000 yen | 43,000 yen | 59,000 yen |
2 people | 40,000 yen | 50,000 yen | 44,000 yen | 60,000 yen |
3 people | 48,000 yen | 57,000 yen | 54,000 yen | 69,000 yen |
4 people | 52,000 yen | 64,000 yen | 60,000 yen | 76,000 yen |
More the 4 guests - contact YES |
Included in the guide rate： lunch bento | transportation
Visitors entering the Shiratani Unsuikyo forest aged 15 years or over are requested to pay a 500 yen National Park entry fee. Please make this payment at the National Park entrance on the day of the tour.
BOOK THIS TOUR and/or ask YES for more details.
Please check the YES hiking gear recommendations. If you do not have the correct gear and don`t wish to carry heavy hiking boots on an international flight then YES can arrange hiking gear rental on Yakushima.
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Cancellation Policy
A cancellation charge will be waivered only if adverse weather prevents the guest from arriving to Yakushima, or adverse weather forces us to cancel the tour. Under all other circumstances if a the guest cancels a tour then cancellation charges apply.
Cancellation Charges
| 15 days in advance | Free |
| 14ー8 days in advance | 30％ |
| 7 – 2 days in advance | 50％ |
| 1 day or on the day | 100％ |
