1 Day Shiratani-Unsuikyo Trekking Tour, Yakushima (private)
5.0
(7)
1-day trek in Shiratani-Unsuikyo, the model of the mystique ancient forest in the film Princess Mononoke, with a local certified guide Taro.
1 Day
Mar - Nov
Intermediate
Beginner
Description
Welcome to Shiratani-Unsuikyo!
Shiratani-Unsuikyo is known as the model of a primitive forest in the movie "Princess Mononoke"(1997). Please come and experience the ancient atmosphere by trekking in the beautiful forest.
We will be walking through the forest of Shiratani-Unsuikyo at an altitude of around 600-1,000m. On this trek, we'll be taking our time walking though the deep beautiful forest, and I believe you will be able to experience Yakushima Island that you imagined it to be.
Kusukawa Path was also a very important route to people during the Edo era. We will walk along it to the forest of Princess Mononoke.
On a nice day, we can walk deeper into the forest and follow Tsuji path to reach Taiko-Iwa (Drum Stone). From there, you will be enchanted by the beauty of the scenery.
Please get in touch with me if you're also interested in Kayaking on this tour!
LEVEL: Beginner. You have to be fit enough for a 7-8 hours casual work per day.
CLIMATE: People always think Yakushima Island is tropical, but actually, it has four seasons. In winter, we have snow as much as 1m high in front of Jomon-Sugi, around 2m high around the summit of Miyanoura.
In spring, it rains a lot and we can enjoy beautiful fresh green of the mountain range. In summer, if the condition allows we can take a dip in a river. In autumn, the weather tends to be stable and so is good for trekking. Thus, we can enjoy the changing seasons of Japan in Yakushima.
Itinerary:
Meet at the hotel you are staying (between Miyano-ura village and Ono-aida village). Around 8:00 am. we will start from Shiratani Park (610m) into the virgin forest. We will pass Shiratani Mountain Hut and visit Taiko-Iwa (Drum Stone: 1,050m).
*Total walking distance: 6.7km in 7-8 hours
*I recommend you to stay hotels around in Miyano-ura area on the day before the tour, as it is more convenient to meet early in the morning on the day of the tour. There are some areas where I won't be able to pick you up from, so please get in touch with me with your accommodation details before booking the trip.
For longer treks, have a look at a 2-day trek I offer in the Jomon-sugi forest.
Price includes
- Guiding fee
Price details
- Please pay extra JPY 500 per person towards Forest Environment Maintenance Movement
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Trekking Tour in Shiratani-Unsuikyo
Meet at the hotel you are staying (between Miyano-ura village and Ono-aida village). Around 8:00 am. we will start from Shiratani Park (610m) into the virgin forest. We will pass Shiratani Mountain Hut and visit Taiko-Iwa (Drum Stone: 1,050m).
*Total walking distance: 6.7km in 7-8 hours
*I recommend you to stay hotels around in Miyano-ura area on the day before the tour, as it is more convenient to meet early in the morning on the day of the tour. There are some areas where I won't be able to pick you up from, so please get in touch with me with your accommodation details before booking the trip.
About the guide
Taro
5.0
(8)
Mountain Guide
I was born in 1977 in Tokyo, Japan. My path into guiding in the nature and in the mountains started when I took one year gap year during my university years and travelled to New Zealand to really explore what I want to do with my life. I found working and living in the nature absolutely wonderful, whilst herding sheep everyday and enjoying the mountain food during and after work. This is where I also found that a lot of people didn’t know much about Japan and I came to realisation that I wanted to share the beauty of Japan with a lot of people!
After graduating university, I discovered and fell in love with Yakushima and was fully convinced that the nature and the lifestyle there, as well as becoming a nature guide there, is what I had been looking for all along. Since then I have based myself in Yakushima and have been guiding there ever since.
I am a JMGA Hiking Stage II certified mountain guide, as well as a member of Japan Canoe Federation, and certified with Technical Rope Rescue license.
I work together with a team of JMGA certified guides here, so it could be me or another certified guide who will guide you.
My joy is to meet and to speak with a lot of people to share the stories around the history and the nature of Yakushima, and also for people to know the Japan that I love. I look forward to meeting you all!!
Languages
Japanese | English
Certificates
JMGA
Reviews with photos
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5What people are saying about this trip
SOVRAN
Yukino-san was the perfect guide! So kind and cheerful ans she told us a lot about the place, the forest, the trees, the animals, all of it ! Even after the adventure, she helped us so much with our plane and all, thanks again to her, really a perfect day !
Maria
I did Shiratani Unsuikyo Tour on my birthday and it was a GREAT experience! This place was so beautiful and serene. The hike was challenging but rewarding with the beautiful scenery. The moss covered forest, the river, Taikoiwa Rock, all the cedars, everything were beautiful. And I was lucky to have the best guide for my trip. I had a really good time & great conversation with Mizuha san from Sangakutaro. Her knowledge about the forest & Yakushima is amazing, and we talked about everything during our hike to Taikoiwa Rock. She even gave me birthday gift from her shop! I will ask for her as my guide again when I'm back to Yakushima. Thank you so much Mish for everything!
Laura
Noriko was very friendly and knew a lot about the place. She was very knowledgeable about plants and birds.
Michelle
Rico, our guide, went above and beyond to be responsive to our hopes for the day! Highly recommend!
Johnathan
What can I say everything was amazing they where super accommodating and since we finished early we where taken to a beautiful onsen for the last hour and driven to the port to head home. Anyone thinking of wanting to book this should have done so, like yesterday. Thanks again so much for the unforgettable experience views and laughs.
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