While Jomon sugi may be the tree that attracts Japanese visitors to Yakushima, there are many other old and large cryptomeria trees that are just as impressive as Jomon sugi. Away from the main attractions then you can usually be alone with these trees as you sit and have lunch under its canopy. Yamato sugi is one such tree. Anyone wishing to experience the ‘real’ Yakushima forest should consider booking the Yakusugi Land and Yamato sugi Tour.
The YES guide will fill the day with explanations of the forest, flora and fauna, as well as the history of the area.
The Yakusugi Land and Yamato sugi Tour begins from Yakusugi Land and it offers a flavour of things to come as we pass by a number of large sugi. Within 30 minutes we leave the established Yakusugi Land trail and enter the ‘real’ forest – walking along the less established Ishizuka Trail. This trail is rarely walked by trekkers and so we are usually alone most of the time. There are some wonderful trees along this deep-forest.
After a 2 hour walk we arrive at Yamato sugi – just within the UNESCO boundary area. Yamato sugi (@3000 – 4,000 years old) sits in a quiet valley and resting by the old tree while eating lunch is recommended.
The return journey back to Yakusugi Land is along the same trail, but heading in the opposite direction gives a very different account of the forest.
Yakusugi Land is a good area to walk around in the rain as the river crossings are much safer than Shiratani Unsuikyo. There are always less people hiking around the Yakusugi Land forest than at Shiratani Unsuikyo and the forest feels more dense than at Shiratani Unsuikyo. There are also plenty of moss species to keep the camera happy and monkeys can often be viewed by the roadside on the way up to the forest.
Tour Information
Although water can be found along this trail, it is recommended to bring a liter.
Level 3/5 | Distance: 8km | Time 6 – 7 hours | Altitude 1000 ～ 1200m
Yakusugi Land & Yamato Sugi 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 | 43,000 yen | 53,000 yen | 47,000 yen | 63,000 yen |
2 people | 44,000 yen | 54,000 yen | 48,000 yen | 64,000 yen |
3 people | 57,000 yen | 66,000 yen | 60,000 yen | 75,000 yen |
4 people | 64,000 yen | 72,000 yen | 68,000 yen | 84,000 yen |
More the 4 guests - contact YES |
Included in the guide rate： lunch bento | transportation
Visitors entering the Yakusugi Land 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.
Please click here for recommended travel insurance
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％ |
