What You Should Know before Trekking

Jomon-sugi Cedar Best Trekking Day Calendar

We recommend hiking on 'Best Trekking Days'

Leveraging the results of past use surveys (trail count data), the Ministry of the Environment forecasts the daily number of people entering the mountains via the Jomon-sugi Cedar route. To enable visitors planning on hiking to Jomon-sugi Cedar to avoid crowded days and have the best hiking experience, we used data on the expected number of hikers to create a Best Trekking Day Calendar that provides advance information on days that are expected to be crowded.

Recommendations for an ideal day of hiking to the Jomon-sugi Cedar. A lone hiker with rucksack looking up at the Jomon-sugi Cedar.

Download Best Trekking Day Calendar

The objectives are to eliminate concentrated use at particular sites (Jomon-sugi Cedar) and on particular days, to reduce the impact on the natural environment, and to improve the quality of the visitor environment by spreading visits across the best hiking days (i.e. uncrowded days). We strongly recommend use of this calendar in planning your visit.

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Photos of Congestion

The photos below illustrate the level of congestion on various days.

Level of Congestion The Forest Railway Track The Jomon-sugi Cedar Deck

Level of Congestion1

Best day

Able to leisurely walk quietly at your own pace.
Listen to the sounds of the forest and the wind, and smell the fragrance of the forest.
The Forest Railway TrackThe railcar track on an ideal day. Two hikers on the trail.
The Jomon-sugi Cedar DeckThe Jomon-sugi Cedar deck on an ideal day. A lone hiker with rucksack looking up at the Jomon-sugi Cedar.

Level of Congestion2

Normal day

Able to walk freely without a sense of overcrowding. For some, this will fall short of their ideal of being alone in the forest.
The Forest Railway TrackThe railcar track on a normal day. Hikers walk in single file at regular intervals. There are no other groups in front or behind, and walking is at one's own pace.
The Jomon-sugi Cedar DeckThe Jomon-sugi Cedar deck on a normal day. There are several people on the deck, but everyone has sufficient space, and the area is not crowded.

Level of Congestion3

Mildly crowded day

Feels crowded at certain times and places.
Little distance between you and those in front.
The Forest Railway TrackThe railcar track on a relatively crowded day. Several hikers are walking in single file with regular spacing.
The Jomon-sugi Cedar DeckThe Jomon-sugi Cedar deck on a relatively crowded day. Hikers are clustered together, even though at regular intervals.

Level of Congestion4

Crowded day

Little distance between you and those in front, and you may not be able to walk at your own pace.
Queues often occur at locations such as trail entrances, toilets, and the Jomon-sugi Cedar deck.
The Forest Railway TrackThe railcar track on a crowded day. Large numbers of hikers are walking in single file without much regular spacing.
The Jomon-sugi Cedar DeckThe Jomon-sugi Cedar deck on a crowded day. Hikers clustered together without much regular spacing.

Level of Congestion5

Very crowded day

Concentration of trekkers.
A level of congestion seen in cities, and you cannot walk at your own pace.
Queues and congestion at all locations.
The Forest Railway TrackThe railcar track on a very crowded day. Large numbers of hikers walking in single file with almost no regular spacing.
The Jomon-sugi Cedar DeckThe Jomon-sugi Cedar deck on a very crowded day. People clustering without regular intervals. Wait your turn when taking photos.

Level of Congestion6

Overcrowded day

Excessive concentration of trekkers.
Queues and crowds at all locations, with long waits.
Probably best to change to another day.
The Forest Railway TrackThe railcar track on an extremely crowded day. Hikers walking in single file without regular spacing. Groups of hikers standing talking beside the path.
The Jomon-sugi Cedar DeckThe Jomon-sugi Cedar deck on an extremely crowded day. Hikers clustered densely together without spacing. Normal walking is not possible, hikers bump into each other, and taking photos is difficult.
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