Shiratani Unsuikyo Park
Enjoy the famous Moss Forest, Taiko Iwa Lookout, and the trails that cross a system of streams (that can turn into raging rivers!) in this popular park where deer and monkeys are often spotted.Walk
Time: 1~2 Hours
Yayoi Sugi Walk
- Experience Level:
- Beginner
-stairs and rocks - Trail Head Access:
- Bus, Car, or Taxi
- Time:
- ~1 Hour, slow pace
- Round Trip Distance:
- 1.5 km
- Trail Head Elevation:
- 600 m
- Peak Elevation:
- ~720 m
Deer/Monkey Sightings | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Yakusugi Trees | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Mossy Forests | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Vista Views | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Endurance | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
Strength & Technicality | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
Crowds | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
Weather Cancellations | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ (Severe rain, rarely road closures) |
Moss Forest
Time: ~3 Hours
Famous Moss Forest
- Experience Level:
- Beginner
-rocks/roots, water - Trail Head Access:
- Bus, Car, or Taxi
- Time:
- ~3 Hours
- Round Trip Distance:
- ** km
- Trail Head Elevation:
- 600 m
- Peak Elevation:
- ~800 m
Deer/Monkey Sightings | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Yakusugi Trees | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Mossy Forests | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Vista Views | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Endurance | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
Strength & Technicality | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
Crowds | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
Weather Cancellations | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ (Heavy rain, flooding, rarely road closures) |
Time: 6~7 Hours
Shiratani Full Course
- Experience Level:
- Beginner~Intermediate
-rocks/roots, water
-steep ascent/descent - Trail Head Access:
- Bus, Car, or Taxi
- Time:
- 6~7 Hour, leisurely pace
- Round Trip Distance:
- ~6 km
- Trail Head Elevation:
- 600 m
- Peak Elevation:
- 1050 m
Deer/Monkey Sightings | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Yakusugi Trees | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Mossy Forests | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Vista Views | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Endurance | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
Strength & Technicality | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
Crowds | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ |
Weather Cancellations | ⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠ (Heavy rain, flooding, rarely road closures) |
Shiratani-Unsuikyo Park
RECCOMMENDED FOR: Everyone!
ABOUT:
Located inland from the town of Miyanoura, the name "Shiratani-Unsuikyo" alludes to the mist and clouds that often cloak this valley
shielded from the sun by mountains in the south, east, and west. Annual rainfall of eight meters is not uncommon. As a result, this is one of the lushest, mossiest areas in
Yakushima. I give it 5-stars for photo opportunities.
TRAIL OPTIONS:
There are several routes within the park, and you can happily spend as little as one hour or as long as six hours walking
the trails. Deep within the park, there is also a trail that leads to a junction with
the rail road tracks described in the Jomon Sugi section;
if you fancy a really long, full-day hike you can even plan to visit Jomon Sugi. I choose my course according to
the weather, time, and the interests of the people I'll be hiking with. If you visit Shiratani on your own, you
will receive a map when you pay the 300 yen entrance fee during staffed hours (9:00-17:00).
TRAILS WITHIN SHIRATANI:
All trails in Shiratani have quite a bit of up-&-down. The shortest trail (and the only one accessable during heavy rains)
is a one-hour loop to Yayoi Sugi. The other two trails follow along a path of stones (uneven, but better than nothing)
used by Edo-period loggers. Then, one trail (marked as the 3-hour course in the pamphlet you'll get at the park
entrance) loops around and back for a hike through old-growth forest. The last trail (marked as the 4-hour course in the pamphlet)
goes on to the Shiratani Hut, the Moss Forest (reminiscent of Miyazaki's animated movie, Princess Mononoke),
and Tsuji Togé Junction. The trail beyond Tsuji Togé leads out of the park. Instead, from Tsuji Toge, hike up to the view point called Taiko Iwa.
This may be the most stunning view point in Yakushima.
NEED TO KNOW:
THINGS TO SEE:
Taiko Iwa View Point, Moss Forest, suspension bridge, Hiryuu Falls.
NAMED YAKUSUGI (THOUSAND-YEAR CRYPTOMERIA):
Yayoi Sugi, Nanahon Sugi, Bugyō Sugi. Other famous but younger sugi include Kuguri Sugi, Sanbon-Ashi Sugi, Ni-dai Õ Sugi,
and more.
ANIMALS: Sometimes deer and monkeys, birds depending on the season.
PLANTS: Cryptomeria, tsuga (hemlock), fir, stewartia, camellias, sakaki, Rhododendron tashiroi, Illicium anasatum, etc,
violets, as well as filmy ferns and countless mosses.
FYI: Deer have no natural predators in Yakushima. They aren't shy, but please don't feed them.
Park Entrance
(600m elevation)----------> Yayoi Sugi Loop
(1.3km round trip)
|
Satsuki Bridge ----------> Bugyou Sugi (Old-Growth Forest) Loop
(3.5km round trip with lots of up/down and stream-crossings)
|
Shiratani Hut
(Toilet)
|
Moss Forest
(3.5km from the entrance and back)
|
Tsuji Togé Pass ----------> 25 minute loop to Taiko Iwa View Point.
(1060m elevation, 6km from the entrance and back)