Hike above the forests to a land of bamboo grass and rhododendrons dotted with huge boulders. If you are greeted by good weather at the peak (1936m), you may have a 360-degree view of the ocean and nearby islands.
Kyushu's highest peak at 1936m.
The trail starts amid beautiful old-growth forests. . .
. . . winding around conifers . . .
. . . to the World Natural Heritage Site.
Enjoy the crystal clear and ice-cold Yodogo River.
The trail gets narrower as it goes up.
Cross Hana no Ego, Japan's southernmost high-altitude peat marsh.
Leave the forests behind and walk among the realm of the gods in the Central Mountains.
The trail goes over Kyushu's third highest peak, Kurio Dake, too!
Will you be greeted with clouds or blue skies?
to Book This Hike!
| Time: 9~11 Hours | |
| Includes: Boxed bento-lunch with a hot beverage | |
| Deer/Monkey Sightings | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Yakusugi Trees | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Mossy Forests | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Vista Views | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| Endurance | ⚠⚠⚠⚠▵ |
| Strength & Technicality | ⚠⚠⚠▵▵ |
| Crowds | ⚠⚠⚠▵▵ |
| Weather Cancellations | ⚠⚠▵▵▵ (Wind, snow, or severe rain, etc.) |
Price per hiker:
| 1 hiker: ¥20000 + ¥1000* park donation |
| 2 hikers: ¥16000 + ¥1000* park donation |
| 3+ hikers: ¥14000 + ¥1000* park donation |
| *The town of Yakushima recommends a voluntary donation of ¥1000. |
| *When hiking with others, please stay with the group. |
- Accident insurance
- Free hotel pick-up/drop-off
- Japanese boxed bento breakfast and lunch
What to Pack
- Backpack*
- At least big enough to stash your rain gear and your water bottle. You'll want your hands free. A rain-cover is also nice, but please don't rely on it to keep your things dry! Alternatively, you can keep your things inside a plastic bag inside your backpack.
- Rain Gear*
- Including pants a jacket. A cheap poncho or light "water-resistant" coated material is NOT okay!
- Warm Layered Clothes
- Especially in fall, winter, and spring.
- Hiking Shoes or Boots*
- Sneakers are not recommended.
- Water Bottle
- A pair of 500mL plastic PET bottles is usually fine. There's plenty of natural, potable water along the trail.
Optional
- Disposable Toilet Pack
- You can get buy one or get one from me. Someone has to carry your crap down from the mountains, so it might as well be you!
- Gloves, towel, personal items and medications, snacks for the trail, camera and ziploc bag, folding umbrella for eating or taking photos, sunscreen.
- Bugs don't tend to be enough of a problem to warrant bug repellent, but please don't wear perfume. There are no bears in Yakushima. Some years there are enough small "black flies" (ブヨ) in the summer to warrant bug repellant at lunch time, but you need to make sure these are covered by your repellent.
About this hike:
Hike through the realm of Yakushima's sacred interior mountains to reach Mt. Miyanoura, the tallest peak in Kyushu, altitude=1,936m. Although the peak is often cloaked in mist and the coastal towns are hidden from view by the exterior mountains, clear days afford a nearly 360-degree view of the ocean including distant smoking volcanic islands and beautiful views of the interior mountains along the path.
We start on a mountain trail over rough, sometimes muddy, often slippery terrain. Near the trailhead we will see a lovely Yakusugi (cryptomeria tree over 1,000-years old). We soon enter the World Natural Heritage Site, stop by the Yodogo Hut, and cross the beautiful Yodogawa River before starting to seriously ascend. There is a short boardwalk across Hana-no-Ego, Japan's southernmost high-altitude peat marsh, but as the trail approaches the forest line, we encounter more rock surfaces and several fixed ropes to help our ascent. In the rainy season of late May, the high-altitude rhododendrons attract many visitors. Any time of the year, we will likely cross paths with deer or perhaps monkeys.
Beginners are welcome, but please be fit. Although this hike only climbs net 600m of vertical distance, the terrain is very uneven with lots of up&down climbing.
In the case of bad weather
This hike will be canceled if the road to the trail head becomes dangerous because of ice or threat of rockslides due to particularly intense rain, if a severe weather warning is issued, or if high winds or heavy snow is predicted. (Sorry, I am not qualified to lead hikes in heavy snow.) In light snow, I can lend you micros-spikes or mini(instep)-crampons. Tacchu Dake is a fun alternative.