The hiking trails on Yakushima
There are many beautiful hiking trails in Yakushima both long and short.
In my guide book (nudge! nudge!) I detail and map 15 different trails from all over the island – Yakusugiland, Shiratani Unsuikyo, Arakawa trail, Okabu trail, Yodogawa trail, Kusugawa trail, Onoaida trail, Mt.Mochomu trail, Mt.Tachu trail, Mt.Aiko trail, Yudomari trail, Kurio trail, Hanayama trail, Nagata trail and Yakusando trail (phew!). In this collection of walks there’s something for absolutely everyone.
Many visitors are interested in one of the three key paths which head into the interior of the island to visit Jomon sugi and Mt.Miyanoura. You’ll find a brief description of them in the links below. In great detail however (cough! cough!) in my guide book.
For more informatiom about hiking in Yakushima – check out the one and only Yakumonkey Guide to Yakushima
Hello,
Thanks for your response and the Yakumonkey book! My friend and I have been reading it avidly, as we prepare for our trip to Yakushima later this week.
I have a few more specific questions. Thanks for your help.
We are deliberating over which hikes/trails will best suit our interest, and we are hoping you could offer some suggestions. After reading through the hikes in the Yakumonkey Guide, we aren't sure exactly how many of the trails we will be able to cover.
We are both young, fit competitive trail runners and climbers. We would like to cover the more challenging trails on the mountain. We have climbing gear, but are thinking of leaving it behind, as it likely won't be necessary. We would much prefer the more remote, less tracked trails to the moderate level busy trails. We would like to visit Jomonsugi, Wilson's Stump, and Yakusugi Land also want to access the more remote areas of the island.
We have three nights on the island. We arrive at 12:40 on Friday, and we're hoping to at least make it up to one of the huts by nightfall. We would already be prepared with our gear, so we were thinking of crushing the Arakawa Trail, thus getting to Jomonsugi by late afternoon to avoid crowds. Does this sound possible? Also, we'll be arriving on the Jetfoil, and how do you suggest reaching the trail head from the port. We will not be renting a car, and we are more than open to hitchhiking.
Our first night we're thinking of staying in the Shin-Takatsuka Hut. Then we have two more full days of hiking. We definitely want to summit Miyanoua, so we'll likely do the Yodogawa Trail. However after that, we want to do the more challenging trails. Which do you recommend? We'd much prefer anything technical and really challenging, as we're very comfortable and confident in our ability. We also move at a swift pace. We'll definitely take our time through the forest to maximize the experience, but we also want to challenge ourselves throughout our hiking.
What hut would you recommend us trying to stay in our second night? On our third day we'll have another full day of hiking. We're wondering between the Nagata Trail, Ishizuka Trail, Aiko Dake Trail. Ideally, we'd like to end up at one of the nicer remote beaches and camp along the beach (or in an official campground). We'll be very discreet about it if not in an official place? What beach to you recommend? Inakahama beach seems nice, especially if we take the Nagata Trail? One last thing we'd like to do is find a nice onsen. Any suggestions?
On our fourth day, we'll be back to the port to catch the ferry around 11:00AM.
Thanks a lot for your help. What we're most confused about, is which trails make the most sense to link up.
Much appreciated,
-Benjamin
Hello Benjamin. OK I'll try to answer some of your queries. Which jet foil are you on? Is there one that arrives at 12.40? If you're coming via Miyanoura, your best bet is to go up to Shiratani. Depending on your exact arrival, you could jump on a bus all the way up or failing that take the Kusugawa trail (a short bus ride south). From Shiratani (If you hit any snags in your plans – there's always Shiratani hut) you can meet the Arakawa trail half way and carry on past Jomon Sugi to the Takatsuka or Shin Takatsuka huts. That's the possibility of three huts to sleep in. Don't worry about crowds for Jomon sugi – there shouldn't be many people at this time of year!
For the next day, Nagata hut would be close to sleep in, although the Nagata trail should be challenging as its so rarely used nowadays. Ishizuka hut is a bit further away and from there you'd have the choice of Ishizuka, Kurio or Yudogawa trails.
More coming…
Thanks so far. Been a huge help. We'll be arriving on the Tane-Yaku Jetfoil (#114), supposedly arriving at 12:40. Sorry my friend did the ferry booking, so that's all the info. I have at the moment.
Getting excited, Thanks!!
Ok so you arrive at 13:20 at Anbo Port. That changes things a bit. As far as buses go you've got a choice – there's a bus from Anbo port to Kigensugi (Yakusugiland or the start of Yodogawa trail) at 13.31 and one to Miyanoura which leaves Anbo port at 13.42. This one to Miyanoura gets there around 14.20 and you can connect with the next bus to Shiratani leaves Miyanoura port at 15.30. These are the quickest routes into the mountains from that jet foil.
As far as onsens go, the one at the bottom of the Onoaida trail is great if you come down that way. It's right at the trail entrance. The two open air onsens are also fun – Hirauchi and YYudomari. Of the more expensive ones try Manten, JR hotel or Hotel Tsuwanoya.
For camping, as it is out of season be discrete and you should have no problems. If you go to Inakahama, stay near the edges as it's a protected beach (the giant turtles). There should be plenty of places where you should find a quiet spot around the coast wherever you are.
Alright, looks like we're pretty well set. We'll plan on getting to Shiratani via Miyanoura then hoofing into the forest for our first night, staying in either the Shiratani, Takatsuka, or Shin-Takatsuka Huts. Our second day we'll hike up to Miyanoura Dake, then make our way to either the Yodogawa or Ishizuka Hut. Our final day of hiking we'll plan on making it all the way south and get to the Yudomari and Hirauchi Onsen.
The only question I still have is, what do you recommend as far as getting back up to Miyanoura? We will need to catch a 10:45 ferry from Miyanoura. What area in the south would we have our best bet catching a bus back north? We figure we'll get a jump on the morning and get up at sunrise so we don't cut it too close. How long would a bus take to get back north, about two hours?
Thanks again, your posts and the Yakumonkey book have been soooo helpful.
If you're on the south side of the island. There are 3 buses you could take – they leave from Kurio at 06.44, 07.59 and 08.24 and arrive at Miyanoura port at 08.20, 09.35 and 10.00 respectively. You can pick them up on the way, depending where you are.
Hi,
My friend and I plan to visit the island the 24th of Feb for 2 nights. As you have given valuable comments to other posts I hope you can be so kind to help us with information as well.
We would like to hike to see the wonderful trees and nature. We are fit but inexperienced hikers.
Can you give us an update on the trail/ snow conditions whether it is possible to hike (eg the 10 hour hike) and whether we can do this on our own or a guide is recommended. If there is a knowledgable guide available we might even prefer so we can learn more about what we see.
Looking forward to your response.
Kind regards
Francisca
The conditions are of course changeable but as of a week ago, the snow began at Wilson's stump on the Okabu trail and Jomon sugi had 5 cm of snow. From there upwards the snow will increase in depth. Hiking by yourself all depends on your equipment and experience in hiking in cold conditions – it's off season for mountain guiding but you could try Cameron at http://www.yakushimaexperience.com/
Hi, thanks for your reference. We had a great hike yesterday to Jomon sugi together with Cameron.
Great!
We are fit but inexperienced hikers. We have 2 full days on the island. We would hike to hike for no more than 4 hours per day and would prefer easy, safe trails. Pls kindly recommend the best trails. Thanks
I might be best to stick to Yakusugiland and Shiratani Unsuikyo.
Hi!
In first thanks for you books 🙂 i have some more questions. We are planing(we are two friends) to come in yakushima during 4 days around the 9 september. After one night in a hotel, We would like to do kusagawa trail ambo trail okabu trail and sleep in the hut to see the next day the miyanoura dake. In this period the hut aren t full isn t it? If the weather is not with us is it possible to find accommodation without reservation?
September can sometimes be very busy – it depends on the day. Here's a rough guide to how busy it can be: http://www.yakumonkey.com/2011/07/hiking-guide-to…. It's first-come first-served for the huts so if you arrive early, you can reserve your place. If you need other accommodation, you should be able to find something as the schools have gone back but weekends may be more difficult.
Hi there,
My husband and I are scheduled to visit Yakushima next week with our kids, 8 and 10. Do you have recommendations on hikes or other activities, sites they might enjoy? They are both good though not necessarily eager hikers. Knowing that, would you suggest taking them to see Wilson's stump and the Jomon Sugi?
I have ordered your book, by the way, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
Thanks for your thoughts.
I'd go more for Yakusugiland or Shiratani Unsuikyo if the weather allows it. Jomon sugi is often too far for that age group and everyone ends up being miserable.
Thank you very much. Are there other places or sites on the island that kids might enjoy? Thanks again for your help.
Hello! I have question regarding hiking in Yakushima. Is possible to go Shiratani Unsuikyo trail and then continue to Takatsuka hut? (We will arrive with Ferry around 12:30 in the port) We would like to spend a night in Taratsuka cabin and then continue to Yodogawa hut and sleep there… is it doable? Or are the routes not connected to each other?
Thank you very much!! Tereza
Yes, it's a common hiking route to go from Shiratani to Takatsuka hut and then on to Miyanoura peak and Yodogawa hut. The trails are all connected.
Hello there, my friend and I (both 25 years old, athletic and energetic) are planning to visit Yakushima next week. We will arrive at Miyanoura at 9:45 AM and leave 2 days later. We have a total of 3 days on the island and we will rent a car. Which hiking route would you recommend for us? Besides hiking, what other activities do you recommend? Thanks!
You could take the Shiratani Unsuikyo route to Jomon sugi, take the Yodogawa trail to Mt.Miyanoura, go scuba diving, go snorkeling, go kayaking or paddleboarding, visit an onsen…
Hey Yakumonkey. My friends and I will arrive in Yakushima the 15th of november, leaving with the first ferry on the 18th. We were thinking of doing a two-day hike 16-17 november. Have you got a two-day suggestion? I can't really choose, and most multiple day hikes seem to cross the Island in 3 days… We're all fit and very used to hiking in all conditions, but no professional mountaineers though 🙂 Thanks!
Hello Wouter. If you arrive in time, you could start by taking a bus or a taxi up to the Yodogawa trail in the afternoon then sleep at the Yodogawa hut. The next day hike over Mt.Miyanoura and down to stay at the Shin-Takatsu hut for the next night. Then go past Jomon sugi and take the Okabu trail which changes into the Arakawa trail and turn up towards Shiratani Unsuikyo. At Shiratani, there are buses to Miyanoura or you can arrange for a taxi to collect you. Then you can stay in Miyanoura for your last night.
Hi Yakumonkey, I'm planning a trip to Yakushima, maybe 4 or 5 nights, arriving around 18 Feb, probably by plane (and taking one of the ferries back), travelling solo and a keen & experienced hiker, in good shape. I need to book some minshuki accom (or sleep in a tent if it's not too cold), as well as sort out huts. Might you have a suggested itinerary for 4-5 days of full-on hiking? (I'm used to walking from 8 to 12 hours a day in the mountains, fascinated by the ancient trees and not too bothering about peaks, it's the mossy forests and jomon sugi that I'm super eager to experience). Don't plan on renting a car, so I will move on foot, hitch-hiking or bus where necessary. Any advice for itineraries would be super appreciated, so I can sort out necessary accommodation bookings asap! Thanks a million!
Hello yakumonkey! I got a question about Yakushima thats been on my head, im heading there in april, I will take the boat from kagoshima at night and it will arrive first thing in the morning, I want to walk as far as I can while seeing the trees waterfalls and deers, at dawn i will camp and the next morning I want to make another 5-7 hour hike but that at some points begins going back, so that again at night I can camp, next morning only leaving a bit of the trail left to get to port/town and back to Kagoshima, what trail would be possible to accomplish in about 5-7 hours on the way in and next day around the same on the way out? Thank you in advance!
Hello Patrick. Perhaps take a bus up to the start of the Yodogawa Trail (Y1), walk 5 hours to the top of Mt.Miyanoura, continue on another 2 hours down to Shintakatsuka Hut. Then the next day walk to Jomon Sugi along the O1 trail and then continue along the A1 trail to the Kusugawa Trail (K1) intersection. Then take the K1 trail through Shiratani. Stay at Shiratani Hut and the next day you can walk the rest of K1 down or take a bus. All the trail codes, timings and details you'll find in the book. This combination should fit your hiking goals.
Hello Yakumonkey. Would your advice for Patrick be equally good for me in mid/late Feb (dates in my post above)?
I've booked guesthouse accommodation for first night after arrival (Sat) and the last night (Thurs), so now I'm looking for route options, as a solo experienced hiker, for the full days of Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs. Sleeping in my tent or huts for 2 or 3 nights? Love hiking in Japanese mossy forests, as well as ridges and above the snow line, and I'd love to see the ancient trees but maybe not at a time when there are crowds on the forest paths (hiking is a form of meditation with nature for me, used to walking from morning to nightfall). Any dream itineraries you would recommend me for my 4.5 day's? Sorry to bother you but your advice would be super valuable! Thanks
Hello Harri. If you're an experienced hiker and prepared for the cold/snow, I think you can take your pick of the trails. Get hold of the 3rd edition book and look at how 4 of the trails meet at Hana-no-ego. The Ishizuka and Yodogawa huts are not far. You can then see what combination of trails you can take to the north and south. With the northern trails there are less choices – usually the combination of the Y1/M1/O1/K1 trails (4 huts to choose from) in either direction which takes 2-3 days.
Thank you! 😀
YOUR WEBSITE IS SO AMAZING! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU PUT INTO IT!!!!
Hello Yakumonkey,
I decided quite late to go to Yakushima during my stay in Japan, initially planned to go Osaka Kyoto Nara only. I found Yakushima later on and couldn't resist to fly there. I am a bit worried now though as I hear July is a moonsoon period and hiking in Yakushima on some areas can be dangerous. I am not sure to find a guide for 8-11 july for now (and I don't know the price for it yet). Anyway, here is how it goes. I'll be hiking alone, 27y old fit man, I have already done three days in the peruvian mountains on some intermediate trek with a guide. I like checkîg famous spots but if I see too many people on the trail Im on I don't feel so good. Which means I need a part of the trek, 50%, off the easiest trails I guess. I would love seeing a spot people rarely get to.
Anyway, I'm arriving 8th july around noon and leaving 11th around 6pm. In this length of time I would like to scooter around the island to see beaches, hike into the mountain/forest, maybe kayak in a river ? I love cascades and would like to try onsen. I'd like to spend a night or two in the forest/mountain.
Knowing all this, could you advise on some itinary ? Precautions if I'm unguided ?
Thanks in advance and thanks for your website !
Hello Adrien. You are exactly the kind of person who I wrote the guide book for! All of the answers to your questions are there! Yes, you can visit in July. If there is a typhoon, then you're very unlucky. They don't come on schedule and happen now any time until October. You can have one if you want, but you don't need a guide to enjoy the mountains. Just get the book, and go and experience the best of Yakushima without the worry.
Awesome, I will check it out then !
Hello Yakumonkey,
I have a question based regarding the assesment of the trails. I will be with my wife (Honeymoon trip) in Yakushima for few days in the second week of August. We consider hiking. We are on the nagata beach and I would like to know if the Nagata trail is a good option.
We have a reasonable hiking experience (Scotland, Compostelle…) but no climbing.
How would you assess Nagata ?
Thaks in advance (and for teh website !!!)
Antoine
Hello Antoine. You can hike along the trail for a short while no problem but very few hikers ever take the Nagata trail up the mountains. It's just too long. All of the trails are categorised clearly in the book, get a copy and you'll see.
Hi Yakumonkey,
i have a question about the hiking and accomodations. My boyfriend and I would like to come in mars and stay for 4 or 5 day. We would like to make a trek of several days, is it an itinerary with huts on the way that you can recommend us? We are young and fit and love nature, so even if it's a bit
Also, is there a place where you can deposit a bag during your stay?
Thanks!
Svetlana
Yes, there are great itineraries you can follow and yes you can deposit your bag! I put all the information in the Yakumonkey book. That's all you need for your trip!
Thanks for your answer!
Hi there, just walked the K1 route only to find out it's a dead end …
I walked about 2 hours and just a few minutes after a sign saying 40 minutes to go I could not go further.
There were lots of cut trees and I tried to follow a path the woodcutters made but than again it didn't go very far and there was nowhere anything like a path 🙁 had to go back all the way withouth seeing much at all ;(
Hello Kevin. Thanks for the information. I'll try to find out what has happened to the trail. Logging sometimes takes place in that area and it's possible that during the off-season, there was some work. I'm trying to work out which part of the trail you walked. Did you walk from the coastal road or the trail head?
sadly I can not upload a picture here but I took "the only" way up from the coast
down at the beginning there was the sign saying Kusu Gawa Kusugawa route and there was a small hut for hiker down below. Walked up a street which got rather bad later and saw a old whitered sign saying Kusugawa hiking trail and below Siratani Unsuikyo 40分
not to much further there was a place where they cut lots of trees and I actually did see these pink bands but rather unreachable I think, at least it did not feel save to go there … one was rather high up to the right but no way to go and the other one was left but again you could probably go but it looked very dangerous and I was not sure if the pink ribbon shows the way or just the next tree to be cut 😛
Okay. It sounds like you reached the trail head. It is 3.2 km from the main road (about an hour's walk). They often cut trees around that area before the trail goes higher. There should have been a hiking trail board with a map of the trail. It's really strange. And you should have been able to spot the trail from the red ribbons at least. I also sympathise with you as I know that route well and how boring that first part is – and to do it twice! If you have any pictures, you can email them to admin@yakumonkey.com
Hi does the shiritani trail allow you to then descend to ambo, as sea re staying there and would avoid too many buses…. It seems to link on the maps and would be preferable than an up and down but local hotel folk say no cannot….
Any other round trip walks you can recommend?
The local hotel folk know best! You can get from Shiritani to Arakawa (A1) but there's no trail down from there to Anbo. If you only want to go one way, you'll need to use transport at some point.
Hello,
I bought your guidebook today and it's very helpful.
I still need your help though, if you can.
I'm going there in 12th of March.
I plan to do 2 days hike, staying a night in a hut.
My initial plan is starting from Anbo with A1 trail, sleep in Shin Takatsuka hut, and then continue all the way to Y1 trek and back to Anbo.
Do you think this is good 2 days trek?
Or can you recommend anything else, maybe something that begin in Anbo but ends in Miyanoura, or vice verse? Maybe starting and ending in different place is better? I'm not sure.
I'm a photographer so I'm really hoping to get some nice images of the mountains.
Please help. thank you.
Yes, that's a good option. You could also take the bus up and go from Y1, K3, M1, O2, A1, K1 and then from Shiratani (S1), take a bus down to Miyanoura. You'd still be sleeping in Shin Takatsuka hut.
Your site and your guide are amazing, thank you!
We are considering visiting the island in March with a friend (we are both experienced hikers). Do you think it is a good plan to start with the Y1 on the first day until Yodogawa Hut, then to do M1 & O1 on the next day and sleep in the Shin-Takatsu Hut, and finally to walk from there to Shiratani Unsuikyō on the last day?
Thank you a lot for your amazing work!
Best
Hello Yakumonkey,
Thanks a lot for all the great advices, your website was a huge help to plan my trip.
Unfortunately there was a slight issue in my plans and I couldn't take the 7:30 jetfoil as I wanted. Instead, I arrived with the 12:00 one at 13:50. After settling in my guest house and buying some food for my hike, it's now 16:30, and night should fall in about one hour. I'm in Miyanoura. Is there any short hike recommended for such a situation, or is it too risky with the night coming so soon? What if I plan to spend the night in a mountain hut and resume the hike tomorrow, would that help? I don't want to waste the rest of the day doing nothing…
You may end up seeing this comment too late, but I would still appreciate your advice anyway for future reference 😉
Thanks!
Victor
Yes, Victor. I think I'm a few hours too late! You could stay in Shiratani hut but you'd need a sleeping bag and warm clothes but as you checked in already…The only walk in Miyanoura is up to the recreational park. You can walk in the dark as you follow the road but you'll need a flashlight. The park is small but is next to the river and often has deer.
Hello Steve. Yes, that's a sensible plan. The hut is not far along Y1 so it's best to arrive later in the afternoon. You then have a full day to Shin-Takatsu and another to Shiratani. You can pace yourself comfortably and enjoy your surroundings.
In the end, we changed our plans because we arrived earlier! So we walked all the way from the Yodogawa Yamaguchi to Shin-Takatsuka Hut, slept there, and today we walked to Shiratani and Unsuikyo before catching the bus to Miyanoura.
It was a wonderful experience, thank you very much for all of your help and your amazing work on the guide and the website 🙂 !
All the best!