Yakushima Forest Hiking & Island Loop

Take the high-speed ferry from Kagoshima to hike Shiratani Unsuikyo and Jomon Sugi, then drive around the island to see waterfalls and the Seibu Rindo forest path

Most itineraries suggest staying three nights on Yakushima: hike Shiratani Unsuikyo on Day 1, complete the grueling 10-hour round-trip hike to Jomon Sugi on Day 2, enjoy a relaxed walk through Yakusugi Land and stay in Onoaida on Day 3, and loop around the west coast before departing on Day 4. This requires a rental car and basic hiking fitness; the Jomon Sugi day is highly demanding. If you wish to skip Jomon Sugi, Day 2 can be spent exploring beaches and hot springs instead.

Private cars are banned on the Arakawa line from March to November, requiring a transfer to the mountain shuttle bus; snow may accumulate at high elevations in winter.

Day by day

Day 1 · High-Speed Ferry to the Island and Shiratani

Yakushima（Shiratani Unsuikyo、Taikoiwa Rock）

Take an early morning high-speed ferry to Miyanoura (approx. 2 hours), pick up your car and drive up to Shiratani (approx. 30 minutes), and drive to Anbo in the evening

Shiratani reopened in October 2026, but some trails remain unrepaired; check the local association's announcements.

Stay: Anbo

Day 2 · Jomon Sugi Round-Trip Hike

Yakushima（Wilson Stump、Jomon Sugi）

Drive to the Yakusugi Museum in the early morning to catch the Arakawa bus (approx. 40 minutes), followed by a 22 km round-trip hike taking about 10 hours

Prepare breakfast, lunch, and a portable toilet the day before. Hiring a guide is highly recommended.

Stay: Anbo

Day 3 · Yakusugi Land to South Coast Hot Springs

Yakushima（Yakusugi Land、Kigen-sugi、Senpiro Falls、Onoaida Onsen）

Drive up the mountain from Anbo to Yakusugi Land (approx. 40 minutes), and drive down and around to Senhiro Falls and Onoaida (approx. 1 hour)

Stay: Onoaida

Day 4 · Seibu Rindo Island Loop and Departure

Yakushima（Oko Falls、Seibu Rindo Forest Road、Yakushima Lighthouse、Nagata Inakahama Beach）

Depart at 07:30, drive past Ohko Falls and through the Seibu Rindo forest path to Miyanoura (approx. 5 hours), return the car, and board the ferry

The Seibu Rindo path is narrow and home to many wild monkeys and deer, with no shops along the way. Afternoon high-speed ferries depart relatively early.