Tag: Hiking

How to visit Yakushima without a guide Day 5- Miyanoura-dake and Hirachi Kaichu Onsen

How to visit Yakushima without a guide Day 5- Miyanoura-dake and Hirachi Kaichu Onsen

Located in the middle of the island, Miyanoura- dake is the highest peak on Yakushima, as well as the highest mountain in south Japan. We couldn’t believe our luck to wake up with another sunny morning, a perfect start for a long hike. The most common starting point is Yodogawa Mountain trail entrance, though it is possible to access the peak from west Hanayama entrance or even continued from Jyomon-Sugi. At this point we have learned that all the trails here are connected. There are basic huts in the forest, so one can do a multi-day circular trek visiting all the places if equipped with camping gear.

How to visit Yakushima without a guide Day 4 – Janokuchi Waterfall and Onaida Onsen

How to visit Yakushima without a guide Day 4 – Janokuchi Waterfall and Onaida Onsen

At this moment we have done the most popular hikes on the island. Janokuchi-taki Waterfall trail is lesser known to tourists, therefore we were almost the only people on the trail for the most part. The trail started from Onaida-Onsen house and runs into a tropical forest covered with palm trees. It is amazing to see here how tropical plants and cooler temperature zone plants, like cedar could exist not far away from each other.

How to visit Yakushima without a guide Day 3 – Jomon Sugi trail

How to visit Yakushima without a guide Day 3 – Jomon Sugi trail

Today we planned the big hike to Jyomon-Sugi cedar, a (maybe)7500 year-old cedar tree in the middle of the island. The hike is a 4-5 hours trek along a deserted railway to reach Jyomon–Sugi and backtrack to the starting point. As daylight ends so early, an early morning start is a must. In fact the latest shuttle bus leaving from the car park at Yakusugi Museum is 5:40am at this time of the year.

How to visit Yakushima without a guide Day 2 – Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine hike

How to visit Yakushima without a guide Day 2 – Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine hike

The second day in Yakushima was again a sunny day! We could hardly believe our luck in Yakushima. Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine is a valley located at the north part of the island. It has three trekking routes varying in difficulty and length. We decided to do a combination of Bugyosugi Cedar course (the orange route) and Yaoisugi Cedar course(the red route). The combination would take around 4-5 hours.