Japan's Must-Visit World Heritage Site "Yakushima" — A Glimpse into the Enchanted Forest of Princess Mononoke

Reported by Zhao Yuting / Yakushima

Yakushima, Japan's first natural landscape to be designated a World Heritage Site, boasts not only towering precious cedar trees but also the 7,200-year-old "Jomon Sugi" and Mount Miyanoura, the highest peak in Kyushu. It also served as the inspiration for the setting of Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke." This mysterious primeval forest attracts around 300,000 visitors annually, and the island’s"vast primeval nature reserve, rich in subtropical and alpine plants as well as thousand-year-old cedar trees"is one of the three main reasons it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site.

▲ "Mossy Rocks" are one of the symbols of Yakushima’s primeval forests. (Photo / Provided by the Kagoshima Prefecture Tourism Federation, a public interest incorporated association)

Designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1993, Yakushima is a circular island covering approximately 500 square kilometers and is the rainiest region in all of Japan. With a population of only about 13,000 to 14,000 people, most residents live along the coastline due to the mountainous interior, earning their livelihoods mainly through agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Because of the island’s unique terrain, it is home to numerous"Yakusugi"— towering cedar trees over a thousand years old.


▲ The 7,200-year-old "Jomon Sugi" is one of the highlights of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. (Photo / Provided by the Kagoshima Prefecture Tourism Federation, a public interest incorporated association)


▲ The "Kigen Sugi" is another giant cedar tree over a thousand years old. (Photo / Provided by the Kagoshima Prefecture Tourism Federation, a public interest incorporated association)

On this mountainous island, there is a natural retreat forest covered by dense woods and thousand-year-old Yakusugi trees — the very setting of Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke." In the movie, the forest princess San is raised by wolf gods in a moss-covered forest, and this is the very woodland she is determined to protect:"Shiratani Unsui Gorge."。


▲ Yakushima’s famous attraction "Shiratani Unsui Gorge" resembles a fairy-tale paradise. (Photo / Reporter Zhao Yuting)

The movie also features adorable deer and monkeys. And yes, once you step into this lush green moss forest, you might just spot Yakushima deer and monkeys. The hollows in the thousand-year-old cedar trees might even make you feel like the forest spirits from the film could pop out any moment. Beyond the misty surroundings, Yakushima is also known for its abundant rainfall, but it’s the combination of sunlight and plentiful rain that has nurtured the thousand-year-old Yakusugi trees and this dreamlike, mystical forest.




▲ The approximately 2,000-year-old "Nidai Daisugi." (Photo / Reporter Zhao Yuting)


▲ The tree hollow of Nidai Daisugi, where you might expect to see a forest sprite peeking out. (Photo / Reporter Zhao Yuting)

However, as it is a primeval forest, hiking here is not like a typical mountain climb. Aside from essential hiking boots, the moss-covered rocks add an extra level of challenge. There is some minimal trail maintenance at the entrance, and along the way, you can see clear streams and rushing waterfalls. Being surrounded by this primeval forest, you might feel like you’ve become one of the animated sprites yourself, so beautiful that you may even feel a sense of duty to protect these woods.


▲ Walking along the mossy rock trails requires extra caution. (Photo / Reporter Zhao Yuting)


▲ A roaring waterfall. (Photo / Reporter Zhao Yuting)


▲ Senrin Falls. (Photo / Provided by the Kagoshima Prefecture Tourism Federation, a public interest incorporated association)


▲ Ogawa Falls. (Photo / Provided by the Kagoshima Prefecture Tourism Federation, a public interest incorporated association)

During Japan’s Edo period, cedar trees were heavily logged due to their fine grain and high oil content, which made them waterproof. Until Yakushima was designated a World Heritage Site, the logs were often used for roofing after being polished. Today, in small shops on the island, you can still find many items made from cedar wood. However, since logging has been prohibited following the heritage designation, these cedar products are made from fallen or dead trees.


▲ An art installation made from a 2,600-year-old Yakusugi tree. (Photo / Reporter Zhao Yuting)


▲ The Yakushima Visitor Center sells many artworks made from precious cedar wood, and they’re not cheap. (Photo / Reporter Zhao Yuting)

The Shiratani Unsui Gorge forest area is divided into sections 1–16, but only sections 1–6 have maintained trails. To protect the environment, sections 6–16 remain completely pristine. It is recommended for nature-loving hikers. Reaching the mossy forest of "Princess Mononoke" takes about three hours of climbing, but if you want to challenge yourself with Mount Miyanoura, known as the "Alps of the Sea" and standing at 1,935 meters above sea level, you’ll need about five hours and should prepare to stay overnight in a mountain hut. Additionally, locals recommend visiting in spring or summer. In June, Shiratani Unsui Gorge is especially misty and ethereal, offering a magical forest experience.

▲ A map of the 16 zones is available at the entrance. (Photo / Reporter Zhao Yuting)


 ▲ Right from the start, your stamina will be put to the test. (Photo / Reporter Zhao Yuting)


▲It is said that Hayao Miyazaki personally visited this place, which inspired the creation of *Princess Mononoke*. One can almost imagine Miyazaki, much like the visitors in the photo, quietly soaking in the beauty of the forest.

The vast primeval cedar forest is full of awe-inspiring sights. Japanese sika deer and monkeys coexist harmoniously, while towering giant cedars stand like guardians of the woods. Walking on the streams and moss-covered rocks feels thrillingly precarious, yet the dreamlike hidden paradise exerts a magnetic pull, making it impossible to stop walking. The deeper you venture, the more you’ll understand why even Hayao Miyazaki fell deeply in love with this emerald woodland and chose it as inspiration for his film—such beauty is beyond words to fully describe unless you experience it firsthand.

【Travel Information】
1. It takes about 40 minutes to travel from Kagoshima Airport to “Yakushima Airport.”
2. Taking a jetfoil operated by Kagoshima Kisen from Kagoshima Port to “Yakushima Nishinoomote Port” takes approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.