By MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team
Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture is a mystical wonderland where the enigmatic yakusugi cedar trees and moss-covered forests create an elfin, fairy-tale atmosphere. Though the island isn’t large, you can walk across it leisurely in under five hours. It boasts incredibly rich and vital expanses of primeval cedar forests—mysterious and serene, they have a calming effect on the mind and soul. Even Hayao Miyazaki was deeply moved during his visit here, using the island as the setting for his animated film “Princess Mononoke.” It is also Japan’s first site to be designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage location.
The widespread moss and cedar trees give Yakushima an air of mystery. (Image source: JNTO)
Yakushima was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1993, alongside the Shirakami-Sanchi. It has also been designated as one of Japan’s national parks. Its distinction among many cultural and natural attractions lies largely in the presence of an extensive ancient forest of thousand-year-old trees in the central and western parts of the island. This approximately 107-square-kilometer sanctuary surpasses other regions in Japan and became the country’s first World Heritage area. Due to its highly unique climate and elevation, the island nurtures a rich variety of plant landscapes. Hiking through the mountains, you’ll witness a transition from subtropical to cool temperate vegetation, with the most remarkable sight being the Jōmon Sugi within the yakusugi primeval forest.
Beautiful Yakushima is even a must-visit destination for many Japanese people. (Image source: JNTO)
Climb up Taikoiwa Rock for a view encompassing the entire island. (Image source: JNTO)
The yakusugi primeval forest is Yakushima’s most significant natural attraction. The vast cedar trees here are thousands of years old, among which the Jōmon Sugi is the most iconic and renowned, with an age of over 7,200 years—so named because its age is close to that of the Jōmon Period. To explore the mysterious and beautiful depths of Yakushima, consider embarking on a hiking journey. Japan’s Tourism Agency has recommended three trails of varying difficulty levels, inviting travelers to come and admire these cedar forests that are older than human civilization itself.
The lush railway trail feels like a path leading to the realm of the gods. (Image source: JNTO)
Jōmon Sugi. (Image source: JNTO)
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