Yakusugi Land Trekking Guide

The name Yakusugi Land might give the impression of a theme park, but it's actually a place with many giant Yakusugi trees where you can experience the natural beauty of a primeval forest. There are walking trails here for beginner hikers, so families and those who aren't confident in their mountain climbing can enjoy it with peace of mind, making it a recommended spot where you can experience the majestic nature of Yakushima with your whole body

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Yakusugi Land has five trekking courses, each with a different duration. The required time is approximately 30 minutes, 50 minutes, 80 minutes, 150 minutes, and 210 minutes, and each course has its own charm. Each route involves walking a different path on the way there and back, so you can enjoy a variety of scenery

The two shorter courses (30 minutes and 50 minutes)take you past ancient thousand-year-old cedars and beautiful twin cedars. These courses are well-maintained with paved paths made of wood and stone, making them safe and enjoyable even for beginners.

the longer courses (80 minutes or more), you can get up close and personal with magnificent Yakusugi cedars, such as the Mother and Child Cedar and the Oda Cedar, which are estimated to be around 2,500 years old. These courses follow paths close to mountain trails, which will surely pique your sense of adventure.

the advanced 150-minute trekking course, you can also climb Mount Taichudake. At the summit of Mount Taichudake, there is a magnificent single rock formation standing 40 meters high, offering even more breathtaking views.

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Feel the history at Yakusugi Land

At Yakusugi Land, you can sense the deep connection between the islanders and the forest. In particular, the stumps found throughout the area are remnants of logging that took place during the Edo period (1603-1867). Many of the oldest trees in the area were spared from logging due to their irregular shapes, and remain standing to this day. At least nine Yakusugi trees, each over 1,000 years old, still survive

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New cedar trees can also grow on the stumps of felled trees, a process known as stump regeneration. The twin cedar trees seen at Yakusugi Land are an example of two young cedar trees of similar size growing on a single stump. The two trees have been joined together through a natural phenomenon known as fusion. The tree on the left is 22 meters tall and has a trunk circumference of 1.7 meters, while the tree on the right is 22.7 meters tall and has a circumference of 2.1 meters

The Futago Cedars are thought to be only about 150 years old, so they are called Kosugi (small cedars) rather than Yakusugi, which is the name given to cedars that are over 1,000 years old

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Access to Yakusugi Land

Yakusugi Land can be accessed by rental car or bus

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How to go by bus

If you're taking the bus, there are no direct buses from Miyanoura Port, so you'll need to transfer buses.
You can catch a Yakushima Kotsu bus from the Miyanoura Port bus stop (the starting point) near the hotel. There are two buses a day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) that connect to Yakusugi Land, but if you take the afternoon bus, there won't be a return bus, so we recommend taking the morning bus.

[To]

• Departure: 8:40 Miyanoura Port
• Arrival: 9:15 in front of the main office

Change buses

• Departure: 9:20am from the main office
• Arrival: 10:07 Yakusugi Land

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【return】

The difficulty with returning from Yakusugi Land is that there are no buses at a convenient time. If you are on a 30- or 50-minute trekking course, you may be able to make it back just in time, but if the course takes longer than that, you will not be able to board the bus. Therefore, if you are considering traveling by bus, you will need to consider the time you will have to wait for the bus. If possible, we recommend renting a car

The return route will be the same

• Departure: 11:05 Yakusugi Land
• Arrival: 11:48 in front of the main office (transfer to bus)
• Departure: 12:07 in front of the main office
• Arrival: 12:44 Miyanoura Port

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• Departure: 15:15 Yakusugi Land
• Arrival: 15:58 in front of the main office (transfer to bus)
• Departure: 16:32 in front of the main office
• Arrival: 17:09 Miyanoura Port

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Bus fares and unlimited ride tickets

bus fare to Yakusugi Land4,000 yen. However, if you purchase a bus pass,a full dayfor2,000 yenyou can travel fora 3-day passis3,000 yenavailable for a very reasonable price ofa 100 yen discount. If you are considering traveling by bus, we highly recommend using the bus pass.

These unlimited ride passesthe hotel front deskcan be purchased at

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• Bus fare (2,000 yen/adult one way)
  • 930 yen Miyanoura Port - Gochomae
  • 1,070 yen Gochomae to Yakusugi Land

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• Unlimited ride ticket
  • 1-day ticket: 2,000 yen (adult)
  • 3-day pass: 3,000 yen (adult)

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How to go by rental car

If you rent a car from the hotel to Yakusugi Land, you can enjoy trekking freely without worrying about bus schedules. It takes about 60 minutes by car from the hotel to Yakusugi Land. Parking is free and can accommodate up to 40 cars

If you are traveling by rental car, be sure to consider a visit to the Yakushima Nature Museum at the foot of Yakusugi Land. At the Yakusugi Nature Museum, you can learn more about the origins of Yakushima's plants and forests, as well as about the Yakusugi cedars

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A bus trip around the island's tourist attractions

At THE HOTEL YAKUSHIMA, you can book a guided bus tour of Yakushima's famous attractions. The tour also includes a stroll through Yakusugi Land, allowing you to fully enjoy the charm of Yakushima. If you're interested in Yakusugi Land, be sure to join this tour