Yakushima's giant cedar trees

Yakushima's giant cedar trees

The land before time: Yakushima Island is home to cedar trees over 7,000 years old.

The dense, thousand year old rainforests of Yakushima Island are home to a huge number of cedar trees including the oldest trees in Japan. Known as yakusugi (the yaku from Yakushima and sugi meaning cedar) some of the cedars are thought to be 7,000 years old. 

Several of the ancient trees have their own affectionate names including the oldest tree, Jomonsugi, which dates back to the Jomon Period (13000 BC to 300 BC). Meotosugi is a pair of trees said to resemble a couple embracing, while Daiosugi is one of the largest trees on the island.  

The cedar forests of Yakushima provided the inspiration for Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli animated film Princess Mononoke, a must-see before travelling to the island.  

Footpaths and hiking trails lead to the cedar trees; some paths are quite gentle while other trails take 10 or more hours and are best for experienced hikers only. InsideJapan can arrange guided hikes with a local expert.

Make an Enquiry

For more information email us: [email protected] or call: 303 952 0379

Important notice: We are pleased to be able to offer so many amazing experiences in Japan. However, we are sorry that we can only include these as a part of a full Japan holiday package which includes your accommodation and transport alongside the experiences presented in this section of the web site.
 

Yakushima's giant cedar trees

located in Yakushima

Read more >

Interested in this Experience? It is included in this tour:

  • If you're an adventurous traveller who wants to discover a side of Japan rarely seen by outsiders, this itinerary could be the one for you.

    Kyushu Adventure

    Stand in the shade of a thousand-year-old Japanese cedar, visit a Bond villain's lair on an abandoned island and investigate a volcanic caldera lake on this spectacular exploration of Japan's rural south-western region.

    Read more >

    If you're an adventurous traveller who wants to discover a side of Japan rarely seen by outsiders, this itinerary could be the one for you.

Other Sightseeing experiences

View more >
  • Beginners' Japanese lesson

    Beginners' Japanese lesson

    Get your holiday on the right track with a lesson in survival Japanese.

    Read more >

  • Peace Park & museum tour

    Peace Park & museum tour

    Take a sobering tour of Hiroshima's Peace Park with a volunteer from an NPO that provides support to A-bomb survivors.

    Read more >