Reaching Jōmon Sugi means spending a full day inside Yakushima’s extraordinary forest. The route begins along a former forestry railway, then leaves it for a mountain trail among moss, streams and ancient cedars. The destination is one of the island’s most iconic trees, but the slow transition from the railway into the deep forest is part of what makes the walk memorable. Allow around nine to ten hours for the return from Arakawa, plus the journey to the trailhead.
The route to Jōmon Sugi
The walk is about 11 kilometres each way. Its first stretch follows the old forest railway; the mountain path then leads deeper into the forest to Jōmon Sugi. Much of the day is spent moving through a damp, green world of roots, wooden boardwalks and cedar trunks. The sustained distance makes it a demanding hike, so choose it for the whole journey, not only the tree at the end.
View in GoExploringReaching the Arakawa trailhead
From March through November, only authorized vehicles can use the Arakawa road. Hikers take the shuttle from the Yakusugi Museum to the trailhead. Check the 2026 Yakushima hiking guide for current shuttle arrangements and trail facilities.
What to know before you go
Yakushima is known for wet weather, so bring rain protection and footwear suited to a long forest walk. Hikers must submit a registration form, and the shuttle schedule is part of the day’s timing. The island’s mountain paths are remote, which makes a little preparation worthwhile before you leave the village behind.
If you want to experience Yakushima’s forests without a full day on the trail, explore shorter walks in our Japan hiking guide.