basic information

Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine is a lush green nature park containing a number of the island's ancient cedars such as Nidaiosugi, Kugurisugi and Yayoisugi, the park's most accessible yakusugi which can be reached in a 15 minute walk. Shiratani Unsuikyo is one of the most popular destinations of Yakushima as it is a great place to see the forests without requiring too strenuous hiking.

Yakushima Island 3 Days Trek in a world heritage site with an English speaking naturalist. Reserve online with H.I.S. Experience Japan.

The park consists of a number of hiking circuits running along a ravine with English signs throughout. The recommended circuits vary in length from one to five hours long, but you are free to wander around and choose your own route among the paths. The trails vary in difficulty from a historic footpath built in the Edo Period to more developed ones paved in stone and wood.

One of the main attractions of Shiratani Unsuikyo is a part of the park known as Mononoke Hime no Mori, or Princess Mononoke's Forest. Although covered in moss like all of Yakushima's forests, this small grove really stands out from the rest, and is best seen early in the morning when no one else is around.

Mononoke Hime no Mori is supposedly the inspiration for the forests in the Studio Ghibli film Mononoke Hime, from which it gets its name. The lead artist for the film, Oga Kazuo, spent lots of time there sketching designs. The mountains of the film were inspired by Akita Prefecture's Shirakami Sanchi Mountains.

The trail to Mononoke Hime no Mori continues on to Jomonsugi by meeting up with the Anbo Trail about halfway to the entrance of the Okabu Trail. The round trip to Jomonsugi takes approximately twelve hours and is more difficult than the Arakawa Dam Trailhead route as you must additionally go over the Tsuji Toge Pass.

Boardwalk trail through the forest

Kigurisugi

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how to get there

Shiratani Unsuikyo is located 30 minutes from Miyanoura Port by car. Alternatively, there are four buses per day from Miyanoura Port (530 yen, 35 min).

How to get to and around Yakushima Island

hours and fees

Admission: 300 yen
Hours: None

travel community

Users who have been to Yakushima: 14
Users who have been to Shiratani Unsuikyo: 5

3rd of 4 most visited sights in Yakushima.
388th of 450 most visited sights nationwide.