As I mentioned in my previous entries, my husband and I traveled to Yakushima Island in October last year. One of the hiking trails we wanted to try was Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine (白谷雲水峡), which is famous for the Princess Mononoke Forest. Indeed, we watched the Studio Ghibli film "Princess Mononoke" before we flew to Yakushima Island. I was excited to try this hike. We couldn't wait to experience the magical atmosphere that inspired such an iconic movie. Today, I will share my experience of hiking the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine via Taikoiwa Rock.
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| My Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine via Taikoiwa Rock Loop Summary (UA MapMyWalk App) |
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| My Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine via Taikoiwa Rock Loop Summary (UA MapMyWalk App) |
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| My Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine via Taikoiwa Rock Loop Summary (AllTrails App) |
Tips to Hike Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine via Taikoiwa Rock Loop
1. It's a strenuous hike: Be prepared for a challenging journey.
2. It's a long 5-mile hike: Ensure you're ready for the distance.
3. It's a 5 to 6-hour hike on average: Allocate sufficient time for the hike.
4. Use a GPS trail map to prevent getting lost: Sometimes it's difficult to find the right path on this trail. Indeed, two people got lost and called for help in 2021. There is almost no reception, so download a GPS map beforehand.
5. The trail might be wet, muddy, and slippery: Wear proper hiking or trekking shoes and gear. Appropriate footwear is essential for comfort and safety. Wear gloves to protect your hands in case you fall.
6. Prepare for rain: Bring a rain jacket, waterproof backpack cover, and a hand towel. It's a good idea to bring some Ziplock bags to keep your belongings dry. (We rented waterproof rain jackets for this hike from a local rental store in Anbo.)
7. Bring lunch and snacks: There are no trash cans, so bring plastic bags to keep your trash in your hiking backpack.
8. Bring bottles of water: If you're comfortable drinking natural mountain water, there are some spots along the trail where you can refill. (Personally, I didn't drink the natural water as I couldn't be sure it was 100% safe from H. pylori, so I brought plenty of water.)
9. There are only two toilets: There is a flush toilet located between the trailhead and the parking lot. Along the trail, you'll also find an unflushable bio-toilet at Shiratanigoya (白谷小屋).
10. Be cautious when crossing streams: There are streams you need to cross along the trail. If it rains a lot, it’s safer to stop crossing streams as it becomes more dangerous due to the stronger flow and increased amount of water from the rain.
When we arrived at the Shiratani Unsuikyo parking lot at 7:30 a.m., there were only a few cars parking there. While walking to the trailhead, we enjoyed the soothing sounds of the beautiful river and its cascading waterfalls, which set a relaxing vibe for the start of our hike.
The trail was muddy, rocky, and sometimes narrow, so I found it more difficult than the Jomon-Sugi Cedar trail we had tried on the previous day.
We enjoyed walking with the view of vibrant moss-covered landscapes. The enchanting moss-covered landscape made every moment feel extraordinary.
Because it was early in the morning, there were hardly any other hikers around at the beginning. The peaceful solitude allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of the trail.
You'll need to cross some streams during this hike. There were moss-covered rocks that we needed to step on to cross the streams. Although the rocks were wet and surprisingly not slippery, it's still essential to tread carefully to avoid any accidents.
I was amazed by the beautiful moss-covered giant trees. We both agreed that it was truly worth visiting here. Hiking in this stunning forest is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. We were deeply touched by the serene charm and breathtaking scenery.
Kokemusumori (苔むす森) is well-known as the "Princess Mononoke Forest." Its lush, moss-covered trees and magical atmosphere make it a must-visit for film fans and nature enthusiasts.
After hiking through Kokemusumori, we began the ascent to Taikoiwa. The trail was filled with exposed tree roots and uneven paths, making each step a challenging endeavor. Despite the obstacles, the sense of accomplishment made it worthwhile.
We found a sign that said, "No eating at Taikoiwa Rock." We had planned to have lunch at the top, but decided to have it later instead.
Taikoiwa Rock (太鼓岩)
When we arrived at Taikoiwa Rock, the sun was shining, and we had the place to ourselves. We soaked in the stunning views and enjoyed a refreshing mountain breeze. This rock is famous for its appearance in Princess Mononoke. In the film, Taikoiwa Rock is where Ashitaka stands and gazes over the mystical forest, which is inspired by the real-life Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine.
After climbing down from Taikoiwa Rock, we decided to have lunch near Shiratanigoya. There were some benches and a few people eating lunch as well.
We brought shogayaki bento and nori bento, which we had purchased at Kamogawa in the morning. Kamogawa bento store opens at 6:30 a.m., making it convenient to grab a delicious meal before hiking the trail.
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| Shogayaki Bento |
My husband enjoyed shogayaki bento. The bento box had two layers: the top layer contained ginger-fried pork, tamagoyaki, and shredded cabbage, while the bottom layer was filled with a large amount of rice. It was quite filling.
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| Nori Bento |
I enjoyed this nori bento. It had deep-fried shrimp, chicken, and fish, along with fish cake and tamagoyaki over nori and rice. I generally love nori bento, but I fell in love with this one. The flavors were exceptional, and the shrimp was larger than it looked.
On our way back, we enjoyed more of the moss-covered landscape in Kokemusumori. We saw a tour guide pointing out the best spots for taking photos with Kodama figures from Princess Mononoke. (These guides often carry Kodama figures in their pockets to entertain visitors.)
We enjoyed the beautiful scenery as we walked back, soaking in the serene charm of the forest one last time.
On our way back, we passed through more groups of hikers. The trail, which required crossing streams, had become wetter and more slippery with the numerous footprints. It was easier in the morning, but more challenging on our return. Unfortunately, my husband slipped and injured his hand, reminding us that we should have worn gloves.
Overall
We really enjoyed this hike. If you like hiking, it's definitely worth doing at least once in a lifetime. Walking in the Princess Mononoke Forest was magical, with lush, moss-covered trees and serene views. The challenging trails and breathtaking scenery made the journey unforgettable.
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