UNESCO World Natural Heritage - Yakushima Island in Japan (2) - Visiting the 7000-Year-Old Jomonsugi Cedar

UNESCO World Natural Heritage - Yakushima Island in Japan (2) - Visiting the 7000-Year-Old Jomonsugi Cedar

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UNESCO World Natural Heritage - Yakushima Island in Japan (2)
Visiting the 7000-Year-Old Jomonsugi Cedar

Listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 1993, Yakushima Island is an extensive and primitive forest area. With 75% mountainous terrain and close to 50 summits with elevation over 1000ft including Mt. Miyanoura, the highest peak in Kyushu, it is also known as the “Alps of the Sea”. We have introduced Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, the forest of ferns and mosses, in our previous article. This time, we will show you another hiking course that brings you to several giant cedar trees which are all over 1000 years old. Among those, the oldest Jomonsugi Cedar tops the must-visit list of tourist spots.
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/11 • 1/4000s • ISO 100
This hiking course will lead you to Mt. Miyanoura, the highest peak in Kyushu, where stunning scenery of Yakushima Island can be enjoyed

Hiking Course

You can refer to the previous article “UNESCO World Natural Heritage - Yakushima Island in Japan (1) - Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine” for detailed transportation information to Yakushima Island, or visit the official website of Kagoshima to choose the transportation method that best suits you. Since accommodations are mostly located in Miyanoura or Anbo, you can see the respective bus route to the trailhead of Jomonsugi Cedar below:
  • Depart from Miyanoura
    Take the Nagata to Oko-no-taki Waterfall Route to Anbo (approx. 40 mins) → Transfer to Kigensugi.Yakusugi Land Route to Yakusugi Museum (approx. 6 mins) → Then take the Arakawa Tozan Bus* to Arakawa Trailhead (approx. 35 mins)
  • Depart from Anbo
    Take the Kigensugi .Yakusugi Land Route directly to Yakusugi Museum (approx. 6 mins) → Then take the Arakawa Tozan Bus* to Arakawa Trailhead (approx. 35 mins)
*Tickets for Arakawa Tozan Bus need to be purchased at least 1 day in advance. For the bus timetable, please refer to http://yakukan.jp/trans/index.html (You are also advised to get the most updated bus timetable at the Tourist Information Centre upon arrival.)
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/15s • ISO 1600
The hiking course to Jomonsugi Cedar. Over half of the trail is to walk on these seldomly used wooden railroad tracks. Due to the wet ground, you are advised to walk on the inside of the tracks as possible
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/20s • ISO 1600
There is no rope or railing on both sides of the tracks
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/100s • ISO 1600
The total length of the trail to Jomonsugi Cedar is around 22km round trip, which takes about 10 hours of walking to complete. This trail is more difficult than the one to Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, and is thus recommended only for experienced hikers with good physical strength. For same-day return, you are advised to leave early at dawn (e.g. start at 6am) and start your return journey at around 1pm to ensure safety. The hiking course we introduce this time will go all the way up to Mt. Miyanoura and takes about 12 hours of walking one-way. Therefore, we will stay overnight at the mountain huts and return the next day.
Hiking course reference. Source: http://www.yakushima-info.com
Below are two hiking courses departing from Arakawa Trailhead and ascend to Mt. Miyanoura for your reference:
  • Course 1
    [Day 1] Arakawa Trailhead →Jomonsugi Cedar→Stay overnight at Takatsuka Hut which is about 200m past the Jomonsugi Cedar to the direction of Mt. Miyanoura, or Shin Takatsuka Hut which is about 1500m farther along the Miyanoura Trail
    [Day 2] Takatsuka Hut / Shin Takatsuka Hut →Mt. Miyanoura→Mt. Kurio→Mt. Okina→Mt. Anbo→Descend at Yodogawa Trailhead (10 hours)
  • Course 2
    [Day 1] Arakawa Trailhead →Jomonsugi Cedar→Mt. Miyanoura (12 hours) →Go back to Takatsuka Hut (1-2 hours) or Shin Takatsuka Hut (2-3 hours) and stay overnight
    [Day 2] Shin Takatsuka Hut →Takatsuka Hut (1-2 hours) →Jomonsugi Cedar→Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine hiking course (skipping Taikoiwa Rock) →Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine bus stop (6-7 hours)
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/30s • ISO 800
Tall and spectacular cedar trees can be seen along the way
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/500s • ISO 800
You will feel like wandering in a primitive forest
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/30s • ISO 400

Outfits and Photographic Equipment

When it comes to outfits, it is important to wear warm since you have to climb Mt. Miyanoura which is 1936m high. Due to the high humidity and rapidly changing weather of Yakushima Island, the temperature at the summit will drop to 0°C or even below -10°C in autumn or winter seasons accompanied with rains and strong winds. Therefore, be reminded to bring waterproof and thick clothes to keep yourself warm. Besides, basic equipment such as raincoat, headlamps, anti-slip and waterproof hiking shoes are also indispensable. Mountain at night is in complete darkness. It would be difficult to find your way to the toilet at night without lighting equipment. It is also important that you do not rush the walk when the night falls, as the foggy mountain environment makes it difficult to see even with torches or headlamps and you will get lost easily.
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/250s • ISO 400
The high humidity brings dense fogs to the mountain
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/1250s • ISO 400
Frosts formed on the leaves of the trees
If you plan to stay overnight on the mountain, you have to bring your own sleeping bag and food as the unmanned mountain huts only offer toilet facilities, water source and sleeping areas. Down sleeping bags that can withstand 0°C or -5°C are recommended as the mountain area is extremely cold. Bring also your cooking utensils so you can cook up some hot food to warm your stomach instead of having cold boxed meal. Be reminded to clean up after use and take away the trash to keep the environment clean and tidy for the next comers.

Since the hiking trail to Jomonsugi Cedar or Mt. Miyanoura is more difficult than that to Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine and you have to bring along stuffs like sleeping bags and cooking utensils, you are advised to keep your photographic equipment to a minimal. Mind your safty and bring only those you can afford physically – such as a high-performance camera with dust- and water-resistant feature and a standard zoom lens (e.g. EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM). Covering the commonly used focal range from wide-angle, standard to mid-telephoto, this lens can meet your various shooting needs. In addition, this lens offers a large aperture that is favorable for shooting on the go in dim mountain area where giant cedar trees reach into the sky. In addition, wear a pair of photography gloves for more flexible shutter operation under the chilly weather.
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/2000s • ISO 400
Mountain ranges in the distance
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/125s • ISO 400
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/15s • ISO 400

Special Scenic Spots

You will pass by a number of special scenic spots on your way to Jomonsugi Cedar which are also worth photographing. Wilson’s Stump, a huge moss-covered cedar remnant discovered by botanist Ernest Henry Wilson, is the most special one among all the giant cedar trees there. When you go inside and look up to the sky, you will see a heart-shaped cavity.
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/4• 1/200s • ISO 800
The moss-covered Wilson’s Stump
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/1600s • ISO 1600
The heart-shaped cavity
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/2.8 • 1/30s • ISO 1600
After visiting Wilson’s Stump, Daiosugi and Meotosugi, the king of cedars Jomonsugi Cedar comes into view. Jomonsugi Cedar has a height of 25.3m and a trunk circumference of 16.4m. It was discovered in 1966 and is said to be the oldest tree on the island, which scientists estimate to be 2700 to 7000 years old. In order to protect this ancient cedar tree, access to the tree is restricted to an observation deck, but you can still feel its magnificence.
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/8 • 1/15s • ISO 100
The giant Jomonsugi Cedar
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/8 • 1/20s • ISO 100
Leaving Jomonsugi Cedar and we continue our walk to the highest peak in Kyushu. Weather was unstable at the day of our visit. An hour before we arrived at Mt. Miyanoura the mountain was still very foggy. It was a pleasant surprise that the weather turned good when we reached the summit and we even saw the spectacular sea of clouds. Situated at an elevation of 1936m, Mt. Miyanoura offers 360-degree unobstructed views of Yakushima Island. The view from the top and the sea of clouds are worth the climb!
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/5.6 • 1/3200s • ISO 200
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/5.6 • 1/3200s • ISO 200
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/11 • 1/250s • ISO 100
EOS 6D • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM • f/11 • 1/640s • ISO 100
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