Shiratani Unsuikyo is a wild and relatively untamed nature park nestled in a large ravine to the northeast of the island of Yakushima. The area is home to some of the huge and ancient cedar trees, or yakusugi, for which Yakushima is well-known, and the most notable ones have even been given names, such as Kugurisugi, Yayoisugi, and Nidaiosugi. Some of these trees have lived for thousands of years and, thus, have grown to impressive sizes. For many years, they have attracted Japanese tourists to the island, with foreign visitors also gradually starting to discover the island’s natural wonders.
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What makes Shiratani Unsuikyo a popular place to experience the untouched nature of Yakushima is the fact that there are a number of easy trails to follow, with no arduous hiking required. The Yayoisugi is the most accessible of all the island’s yakusugi, reachable within just 15 minutes of easy walking. The trails are well marked in English but vary in length, and they can be linked up to form circuits lasting from just an hour to longer ones for almost a full day of exploring.
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Shiratani Unsuikyo
It is said that Shiratani Unsuikyo was the inspiration for Studio Ghibli’s animated film Princess Mononoke, and it is easy to imagine the moody forest landscape full of ancient moss-covered trees and twisted tree roots as the setting for all kinds of stories.
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Shiratani Unsuikyo
Shiratani Unsuikyo is also the start (or end point) of the strenuous three- or four-day hike across Yakushima’s mountainous interior, taking in the island’s highest peak (Miyanoura-dake) and the oldest and most famous of all the yakusugi, Jomonsugi. This tree is estimated to be between 2,000 and 7,000 years old (making it the oldest tree in the whole of Japan), and, although not particularly tall, it has a massive trunk around 5m in circumference. Starting at Shiratani Unsuikyo, a round-trip to the Jomonsugi takes around 12 hours of fairly tough hiking, so should only be attempted by those with enough time and fitness.
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Shiratani Unsuikyo
Entry to Shiratani Unsuikyo is 500 yen, or you can get 200 yen off with the discount coupon from Yakusugi Land. Be sure to pick up one of the free trail maps at the entrance. Yakushima is one of the wettest places in Japan, so bring rainwear and some study footwear as, although all the trails are well-marked, some of them are rough underfoot and steep in places.
![Shiratani Unsuikyo]()
Shiratani Unsuikyo
There is a winding road up to Shiratani Unsuikyo, so the best way to get there is by car. It can be reached in around 30 minutes from Miyanoura Port, one of the main gateways to the island where there are also car rental facilities. There are also one or two buses per hour from Miyanoura Port, taking about 35 minutes to trundle up into the mountainous interior (550 yen one-way). Taxis are also an option (around 3,000 yen one-way).
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Shiratani Unsuikyo
- Shiratani Unsui-kyo Gorge
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- Kagoshima Pref. Kumagegunyakushimachou Miyanoura
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- Open 24 hours[Administration…
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Yakushima 1 day Shiratani Unsuikyo Walking with English Speaking Guide
¥26,000
Update date：2024/04/23
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