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Thursday, March 20, 2025

Exploring the Magic of Yakusugi Land: A Perfect Last Day in Yakushima

On our last day on Yakushima Island, we explored Yakusugi Land, a breathtaking nature park famous for its ancient "Yakusugi" cedar trees, some over 1,000 years old. The park offers a range of trails, from easy 30-minute strolls to more challenging 2.5-hour hikes, winding through lush forests, alongside rivers, and past iconic cedar landmarks.

We arrived at Yakusugi Land at 8 a.m. and chose the 30-minute course, "Fureai-no-michi." This short, well-maintained trail spans 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) and features paved paths and wooden walkways. It's perfect for beginners or anyone wanting a quick yet beautiful experience of Yakushima's cedar forests.

Fureai-no-michi ・30-minutes course (ふれあいの径・30 分コース)

0.8km (0.5 miles)

Since it was early morning, the atmosphere was calm and serene, with almost no one around. The trail was in great condition, featuring paved paths and wooden walkways that made the hike enjoyable.

There were many large Yakusugi trees along the trail, offering a special chance to touch and feel their ancient bark. It was a wonderful way to connect with the forest’s natural beauty and history.

The sign explained how Yakusugi trees, once considered special, began to be cut down in 1635 using traditional tools like axes and saws. It also detailed the use of Yakusugi wood to make "hiragi"—thin boards used as roofing material. Today, the area is preserved as a natural recreation forest, highlighting its history and beauty.

Along the trail, we saw some giant Yakusugi stumps. These stumps can support new tree growth by providing nutrients and a stable base, helping the forest renew itself. Some of these regenerated trees are centuries old, showcasing the incredible resilience of the Yakusugi ecosystem.

Sennensugi (千年杉), this ancient cedar tree, was truly stunning with its moss-covered bark, showcasing the timeless beauty of the forest.

We felt the soft and lush moss and ferns growing on the tree trunk, amazed by their vibrant and delicate texture.

This wooden walkway seemed like it could have been crafted from a large tree stump. It fit perfectly into the forest, surrounded by lush moss and vibrant plants.

While walking on the trail, I took this photo of sunlight shining through the trees. It beautifully reflected the natural charm of Yakushima's ancient cedar forests.

This 30-minute course ended up taking us 45 minutes because we took our time, thoroughly enjoying the beautiful forest views. It was an easy and relaxing walk that can truly amaze anyone.

Yakusugi Land Shinsen (森泉)

At Yakusugi Land, "Shinsen" (森泉) serves as a gift shop, resting facility, and also provides public bathrooms and a space to learn more about Yakusugi.

The second floor of Shinsen was such an enriching experience, with exhibits about Yakusugi's unique features, its history, and even the ecosystem supporting the forest. Learning about how Yakusugi trees regenerate on stumps must have been especially fascinating!

Overall

We truly enjoyed Yakusugi Land. Since it was the last day of our trip to Yakushima Island and we had to catch a flight in the afternoon, we didn’t have much time to spend there. Still, we had a wonderful experience and were able to enjoy activities unique to Yakushima Island. It was a satisfying way to spend our final day. If we ever visit Yakushima Island again, we’ll definitely return to Yakusugi Land and try the longer trails.

These are my entries related to Yakushima Island.

▪️Embarking on Our Yakushima Adventure: The Journey Begins

▪️Tirol Room Tour: Our Cozy Stay on Yakushima Island

▪️Journey Through the Jomon-Sugi Cedar Trail: A Hike to Remember

▪️Hiking into the Heart of Princess Mononoke: Exploring Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine

▪️Best Restaurant to Enjoy Seafoods on Yakushima Island: Kamogawa

▪️Driving the Entire Coastline of Yakushima Island: 13 Must-Visit Stops

▪️Exploring the Magic of Yakusugi Land: A Perfect Last Day in Yakushima

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