Jomon Sugi, the symbol of Yakushima Island, is one of the most iconic trekking destinations in Japan. The Jomon Sugi Trail is known for being moderately to highly challenging, requiring anywhere from 8 to 12 hours round trip, depending on your physical condition.
This trail not only gives you a glimpse into the once-flourishing logging industry of over a century ago but also feels like a spiritual pilgrimage deep into a primordial world. Every step feels like you’re walking through a land that has remained unchanged for thousands of years. With a total journey that spans around 10 hours, it’s almost like a training ground that tests your endurance and willpower.
Highlights of This Article:
Transportation guide to the Jomon Sugi trailhead
Preparation tips before the hike
Trail overview and time distribution
Packing list and trekking advice
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The Jomon Sugi Hiking Trail
There are two classic routes to reach Jomon Sugi:
- One begins at Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge（白谷雲水峡）
- The other, more commonly chosen route, starts at Arakawa Trailhead (荒川登山口)
When comparing “Shiratani Unsuikyo – Jomon Sugi” to “Arakawa Trailhead – Jomon Sugi”, both take about the same amount of time one-way. However, the Shiratani route involves crossing another mountain range before merging with the Arakawa route, making it slightly more physically demanding.
Some hikers also opt for a two-day hike, starting from Arakawa Trailhead, reaching Jomon Sugi, and descending via Shiratani Unsuikyo, spending the night at the Shiratani Mountain Hut.
In this article, I’ll focus on the classic and more accessible Arakawa Trailhead – Jomon Sugi round-trip route, which features gentle slopes and old railway tracks for much of the trail, making it ideal for those not planning an overnight stay.
Transportation to the Trailhead
The starting point for the Yakushima Jomon Sugi Trekking is Arakawa Tozanguchi (Arakawa Trailhead). From March to November, private vehicles are prohibited from accessing the trailhead directly.
Most people either:
- Take a bus, or
- Drive to the Yakusugi Nature Museum, then transfer to a shuttle bus bound for Arakawa Trailhead.
Be sure to check the bus schedules in advance and plan your itinerary accordingly.
Make sure to check the bus schedule in advance and plan your itinerary by working backward from your desired arrival time at the trailhead. Proper time management is crucial, especially since the buses to Arakawa Trailhead run on a limited schedule.
Preparing for the Yakushima Jomon Sugi Trekking : What You Need to Know Before the Hike
Bento Lunch and Breakfast on the Hiking Day
Since the hike to Jomon Sugi requires an early morning departure, you won’t find any shops open that early selling bento or breakfast. It’s essential to purchase both your lunch and breakfast the day before at a convenience store or supermarket. Some hotels and guesthouses offer pre-order bento services, so be sure to ask in advance.
During my stay, the guesthouse I stayed at (Tsubaki’s pick!) offered a bento reservation service, and the bento was delivered to the entrance of the hotel before dawn—ready to pick up and go in the morning.
Additionally, right after arriving at Anbo Port, there’s a supermarket called “Ban Chan” just a short walk away. I highly recommend stocking up here on your hiking essentials for the next few days—drinking water, trail snacks, energy bars, and more.
Confirming the Mountain Shuttle Bus
Shuttle Bus Tickets
To take the mountain shuttle to the Arakawa Trailhead, you need to purchase a shuttle bus ticket in advance.
One-way ticket: ¥1,700
Round-trip ticket: ¥2,400
Includes a ¥1,000 environmental conservation fee.
Surprisingly, credit cards are accepted at the ticket counter.
On the day of your hike, when transferring at the Yakusugi Nature Museum to the Arakawa Trailhead shuttle, you’ll notice it’s quite crowded. The bus company may add extra departures based on demand, but even while you’re queuing, you might miss a bus. So it’s highly recommended to purchase your ticket in advance.
Where to Buy Shuttle Bus Tickets:
Yakushima Airport｜Yakushima Tourism Association Info Counter｜Google maps
Miyanoura Port｜Yakushima Environmental Culture Center｜Google maps
Anbo Port｜Yakushima Town General Center ｜Google maps
Check the Shuttle Bus Timetable
The shuttle bus has very limited departures, with only three going up to the trailhead in the morning. During busy periods, the company may add extra buses. For the return, there are five scheduled buses, but the lines can get quite long, so it’s best to line up early.
Yakusugi Nature Museum → Arakawa Trailhead:
5:00｜5:20｜5:40｜(Occasionally 14:00)
Arakawa Trailhead → Yakusugi Nature Museum:
6:20｜15:00｜16:00｜16:30｜17:00｜17:45
However, please note that the timetable is subject to change, so be sure to check the official website for the most up-to-date schedule before your hike.
👉 [Check the official bus timetable here]
On the Day of the Jomon Sugi Hike
Restroom Information
The shuttle ride from Yakusugi Nature Museum to Arakawa Trailhead takes about 35 minutes, but since the museum isn’t open that early in the morning, there are no restroom facilities available during the ride.
Make sure to use the restroom before leaving your accommodation, or wait until you arrive at the rest area at the Arakawa Trailhead, where restrooms are available.
There are only about three restroom stops along the trail to Jomon Sugi, with each one spaced roughly two hours apart. You’ll also pass a few tent shelters or small huts designated for portable toilet use, so if you anticipate needing frequent restroom breaks, it’s safer to bring a portable toilet kit.
These kits are available for purchase at the shuttle bus ticket counters, so you can grab one while buying your bus ticket.
Jomon Sugi Hiking Route
After getting off the mountain shuttle bus, the hike begins at Arakawa Trailhead, following an old mining railway track. Along the way, you’ll pass the Kosugidani Village Ruins and the famous Sandai Sugi (Three-Generation Cedar) before reaching the end of the mining railway. From there, the route connects to the Okabu-hodo Trail, the mountain path that leads to Jomon Sugi, passing by iconic spots like Wilson’s Stump and Meoto Sugi (Married Couple Cedar) before finally reaching the legendary Jomon Sugi.
The 8 km mining railway track is mostly flat and relatively easy to walk, but don’t underestimate it—it still takes about 3 hours to complete. If you’re not used to long walks, it might feel a bit exhausting. Once the railway ends, the trail becomes significantly steeper, requiring more physical effort.
Arakawa Trailhead → Kosugidani Village Ruins
Arakawa Trailhead is located at an elevation of 660 meters, and from the entrance, the mining railway track stretches about 8 km.
Some parts of the path cross narrow wooden bridges without handrails, so be extra cautious, especially when it rains as they can get slippery.
Kosugidani Village was inhabited between 1953 and 1970 during the peak of the logging era before Yakushima was designated a World Natural Heritage site. Back then, the village had over 500 residents, a school, a junior high, and even a post office.
Typical walking time is around 50 minutes, but on our trip, we started hiking at 6:38 AM and reached Kosugidani by 7:20 AM—roughly 40 minutes.
Kosugidani Ruins → Sandai Sugi
After another 30–40 minutes, you’ll arrive at the first restroom and a resting spot, marked by the iconic Sandai Sugi.
You’ll also pass the Kusugawa Junction, where hikers from the Shiratani Unsuikyo route converge. Then, the trail cuts through a majestic stretch of towering cedar forest—honestly, breathtaking to walk through.
The tree known as Sandai Sugi (Three-Generation Cedar) is actually a fusion of three generations of cedar.
The first-generation tree fell after living for about 1,200 years,
The second generation grew on its stump and lived 1,000 years,
The third generation sprouted on the remains of the second and has lived 350 years so far.
It’s a living symbol of resilience and time.
Our log: 7:20 AM at Kosugidani → 7:50 AM at Sandai Sugi = about 30 minutes (normal pace is 40–50 minutes).
Sandai Sugi → End of the Mining Railway Track
The section from Sandai Sugi to the end of the railway is relatively uneventful and may cause your pace to slow. Once you reach the end, the trail transitions to the Okabu-hodo Mountain Trail, where the incline significantly increases.
There’s a bridge and a restroom at the end of the railway, making it a good spot for a quick break before tackling the steeper climb.
Our log: 7:50 AM at Sandai Sugi → 8:50 AM at railway end = about 1 hour (typical pace is also about 60 minutes).
End of Railway → Wilson’s Stump
After the railway, the trail connects to the Okabu-hodo Trail, where wooden steps and steeper slopes begin. Within 20–30 minutes, you’ll reach Wilson’s Stump.
Wilson’s Stump is said to have been felled about 400 years ago, with only the stump and root system remaining today.
It was named after Dr. Ernest Wilson, an American botanist who brought global attention to Yakusugi during the Taisho era (early 1900s), hence the name Wilson’s Stump.
Our log: 9:10 AM at trailhead → 9:30 AM at Wilson’s Stump (average pace is around 30 minutes).
Wilson’s Stump → Meoto Sugi
It takes about 1 hour to hike from Wilson’s Stump to Meoto Sugi and Daio Sugi. As you go deeper into the forest, the cedar trees get increasingly massive—even the fallen logs on the roadside are bigger than the trees in my neighborhood park!
There’s a resting plaza near both Meoto Sugi and Daio Sugi, making it a great spot for a quick break.
(P.S. My friend in the photo isn’t pregnant—that’s just a hiking backpack! Honestly, hiking here while pregnant might be risky…
Our log: 9:50 AM at Wilson’s Stump → 10:50 AM at Meoto Sugi = about 1 hour (which is also the average pace).
Meoto Sugi → Jomon Sugi
Finally, the highlight of the hike—Jomon Sugi. We arrived at 11:40 AM, just before noon, but believe it or not, this was only halfway through the entire journey.
Photos honestly don’t do it justice. Standing before Jomon Sugi in person is awe-inspiring—nature’s grandeur at its purest.
To protect the roots of this ancient cedar from damage caused by foot traffic, an elevated viewing deck has been built around the tree. However, since this area gets extremely crowded, it’s not ideal for taking breaks or eating lunch.
Our log: 11:00 AM at Meoto Sugi → 11:40 AM at Jomon Sugi = about 40 minutes. (Normally it takes around 30, but the narrow path was crowded, so we had to slow down.)
Rest Stop Near Jomon Sugi (Scenic Spot)
Since you can’t rest or eat near the Jomon Sugi viewing platform, I recommend heading back down a bit to the lower rest area for lunch.
There’s also a popular photo spot nearby, where a fallen log looks uncannily like a dinosaur head. It’s a fun little hidden gem!
But don’t rest for too long here—the descent still takes 4–5 hours, and it’s particularly tough on the body.
It rained that day, and my hair was soaked through. Elsa said I looked especially tragic in the pictures…
Final Hiking Tips from Tsubaki
① The full hike takes about 10 hours, even at a brisk pace.
If you’re not confident in your stamina or don’t exercise regularly, I recommend turning back at the end of the railway section, or choosing the easier Shiratani Unsuikyo trail instead.
② In my opinion, a guide isn’t necessary—the signs and trail markings are very clear.
However, a guide can point out hidden spots and help ensure your safety, especially if you’re new to hiking.
③ The bus transfer timing can be poor, and if you miss your ride, you’re stuck.
Beware of relying solely on your feet—coming down the mountain, it’s notoriously unreliable and might break down…
④ Yakushima gets rain 80% of the year, and the weather changes quickly.
Bring rain gear without fail. I had terrible luck and got caught in a downpour—but still went through with the hike!
⑤ You’ll be walking for over 10 hours—wear proper hiking shoes, and I highly recommend good insoles.
Elsa had great insoles and only mild soreness.
But Jin-Jin and I didn’t use them, and by the end, our feet were in agony, and I even got a headache. Trust me—invest in quality insoles.
⑥ I personally get knee pain on the descent, but wearing knee braces helped a lot.
If you’re like me, I highly recommend getting knee support gear before your trip!
Recommended Hiking Gear for Yakushima Jomon Sugi Trekking
- ID or personal identification
- One change of clothes (for after the hike)
- Towel
- Physical map or digital trail map
- Bento lunch, energy snacks, and plenty of water
- Tissues or wet wipes
- Trash bag or ziplock bag – for packing out your garbage. Ziplock bags are great to keep food smells contained in your backpack.
- Essential medications (e.g., for headaches or stomach issues)
- Insect repellent
- Hiking gloves
- Hiking hat or cap
- Rain gear / hiking raincoat
- Portable toilet (optional)
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Knee supports (optional)
- Headlamp (optional)
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