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Level 4Climbing Trails to Experience the Pristine Natural Environment of the Mountains

4-1Arakawa Trail Entrance - Jomon-sugi Cedar - Shirataniunsui-kyo Ravine (overnight)

It is part of the round-trip route to the Jomon-sugi Cedar, and passes through the Shirataniunsui-kyo Ravine. Compared to the Arakawa Trail Entrance Round-trip Route, this requires plenty of time and sufficient physical strength since it involves travel over the Tsujitoge Pass. With many highlights including the Jomon-sugi Cedar and Kokemusu-mori Forrest, the route provides an experience of the pristine nature of the mountains of Yakushima Island. In the Shirataniunsui-kyo Ravine, fording streams becomes difficult at some crossing points when the water level rises, so the route requires decision-making skills in bad weather. The route requires decision-making skills in bad weather.

Trekking information
Total distance 19.0 km (for reference)
Level of physical strength 5
Level of difficulty C
Link to detailed route

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Map
Approval by the Director-General of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan based on the Survey Act (use) R3JHs 762

Detailed route

  • Arakawa Trail Entrance
    Rest area
    Parking
    Toilet
    Portable toilet collection boxes

    Available for general use only between December and the end of February.

    		The notice board at the Arakawa Trail Entrance. On the left of the board is a map of the Yakushima National Park, and in the center is a map and descriptions of the route from the Arakawa Trail Entrance to the Jomon-sugi Cedar. The small box at lower-right is for mountain climbing registration forms.
  • Old Kosugidani Village Site
    Rest area
    Portable toilet tent
    		 The Old Kosugidani Village Site. This photo is taken from the opposite bank after crossing the Kosugidanibashi Bridge in the foreground, with the ruins of the village against the lush green mountain.
  • Kusukawa Junction The Kusukawa Junction. The sign indicating the Kusukawa Trail Entrance to the Shirataniunsui-kyo Ravine is on the left in the photo, with the narrow railcar track through the forest in the center.
  • Okabu Trail Entrance
    Rest area
    Toilet
    Water
    		 The Okabu Trail Entrance. A railcar track runs through the lush green forest.
  • Wilson-kabu Stump
    Rest area
    Portable toilet tent
    Water

    Toilet huts are located near the Okina-sugi Cedar remains, and a water point is located beside the trail above the Wilson-kabu Stump.

    		 The huge Wilson-kabu Stump.
  • Daio-sugi Cedar
    Rest area
    Portable toilet hut
    Portable toilet tent

    Portable toilet huts are provided in the area.

    		 The towering Daio-sugi Cedar in the sunlight filtering through the trees.
  • Jomon-sugi Cedar
    Water
    		 The Jomon-sugi Cedar rises amidst lush greenery.
  • Daio-sugi Cedar
    Rest area
    Portable toilet hut
    Portable toilet tent

    Portable toilet huts are provided in the area.

    		 The towering Daio-sugi Cedar in the sunlight filtering through the trees.
  • Wilson-kabu Stump
    Rest area
    Portable toilet tent
    Water

    Toilet huts are located near the Okina-sugi Cedar remains, and a water point is located beside the trail above the Wilson-kabu Stump.

    		 The huge Wilson-kabu Stump.
  • Okabu Trail Entrance
    Rest area
    Toilet
    Water
    		 The Okabu Trail Entrance. A railcar track runs through the lush green forest.
  • Kusukawa Junction The Kusukawa Junction. The sign indicating the Kusukawa Trail Entrance to the Shirataniunsui-kyo Ravine is on the left in the photo, with the narrow railcar track through the forest in the center.
  • Tsujitoge Pass
    Rest area
    		 The Tsujitoge Pass. The clearing among the trees at the Tsujitoge Pass, with a sign noting the pass and calling for good manners in use.
  • Shiratani Hut
    Rest area
    Shelter huts
    Toilet
    Portable toilet hut
    Water
    		 The Shiratani Hut. The building has whitish walls, with a glass door and two windows.
  • Branch 4_(11) Branch 4_(11) There are two signs here - one for the Shiratani Clearing, Administration Building, Shiratani Hut, Kuguri-sugi Cedar, and Taikoiwa Rock, and the other for the Bugyo-sugi Cedar course, Nidai-kuguri-sugi Cedar, and Bugyo-sugi Cedar.
  • Branch 5_(12) Branch 5_(12) Signs for the Shiratani Hut and Shiratani Clearing. A map showing the current location is at left in the photo.
  • Branch 3_(6) Branch 3_(6) The large map showing the current location in the Shirataniunsui-kyo Ravine is at right in the photo. The signs at left in the photo point to the Shiratani Hut via the Bugyo-sugi Cedar, the Nidai-osugi Cedar, the Shiratani Clearing, Administration Building, the Shiratani Hut via the Kusukawa Trail, and the Kusukawa Trail.
  • Branch 1_(2) Branch 1_(2) The Satsuki Suspension Bridge is shown at left in the photo, and at right is a sign indicating the trail to the Yayoi-sugi Cedar.
  • Shirataniunsui-kyo Ravine Entrance (Administration Building)
    Rest area
    Parking
    Toilet
    Portable toilet collection boxes

    Please do not leave vehicles idling in the parking lot.

    		 The Shirataniunsui-kyo Ravine Entrance. The wooden administration building on the right, a small rest area on the left, and a stone in the center noting the '100 Best Forest Water Sources'.
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