Jomon Sugi Trail

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Jomon Sugi Trail: Yakushima’s Classic Cedar Forest Hike

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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Ranked #893 of 974

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HikeList Score

Jomon Sugi Trail scored 70/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 56
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 77
Accommodation 45
Food & support 72
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 76

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Jomon Sugi Trail is a strenuous one-day out-and-back hike on Yakushima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The standard Arakawa Trail is about 22 km return, with roughly 700 m of ascent, and usually takes 9–12 hours. It suits fit hikers who want a long forest day rather than a technical climb: the route follows an old logging railway before a steep, stepped mountain path to Jomon Sugi, the island’s largest and oldest known yakusugi cedar.

Route Overview

Start and finish at Arakawa Trailhead (Arakawa Tozanguchi). In the main season, roughly March to November, private cars are barred from the access road, so hikers use the dedicated Arakawa shuttle bus from the Yakusugi Museum in Anbo, taking about 30–35 minutes. The first ~8 km follows the old Anbo forest railway, passing Kosugidani village ruins, wooden sleepers, bridges and a tunnel. From Okabu/Ohkabu trail entrance the final ~2.8 km climbs steeply on a forest footpath with many wooden steps, passing Wilson Stump, Meoto-sugi and Daio-sugi before the Jomon Sugi observation deck. For a multi-day cultural walk, compare the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route; for alpine hiking, see the Kamikochi to Mount Yari Trail.

Logging, World Heritage and Jomon Sugi

Yakushima’s yakusugi cedars were logged for centuries, especially from the Edo period and again in the 20th century using the Anbo forest railway. The route still follows that old logging line for much of its lower section. Jomon Sugi was identified in 1968 and became a symbol of the island. In 1993, Yakushima became one of Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and access to the tree was limited to a viewing deck to protect its roots.

Notable highlights

Jomon Sugi: Yakushima’s largest and oldest known yakusugi, about 25.3 m tall with a trunk circumference of roughly 16.4 m. It is viewed from a deck about 15 m away to protect the roots.
Wilson Stump (Wilson-kabu): A vast hollow cedar stump felled in the 1580s–1590s, linked to timber for Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s building projects. Hikers can step inside; from one angle the opening frames a heart-shaped patch of sky.
Anbo forest railway: The lower ~8 km follows a former narrow-gauge logging tramway with sleepers, bridges and a tunnel. It gives the hike its long, steady approach and a strong sense of Yakushima’s logging past.
Ancient yakusugi forest: The upper route passes mossy old-growth cedar forest, including named trees such as Meoto-sugi, the paired “married couple” cedars, and Daio-sugi, the “Great King” cedar.
Kosugidani village ruins: The remains of a former forestry settlement passed early on the railway section. It once housed logging workers and a school, but is now an atmospheric forest clearing.

Challenges to expect

The main challenge is endurance: about 22 km, 9–12 hours, an early start and a long return the same way. The lower railway section is relatively flat but can be slick; the upper trail is rooty, rocky and steep, with many wooden steps and stairways. Yakushima is very wet year-round, so expect slippery surfaces and carry waterproof layers. Snow is possible on the high path in winter.

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Ranked #893 of 974

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