Don't worry, the trail doesn't go up that front slope!

The trail head is at the entrance to the World Natural Heritage Site.

This trail has proven treacherous when the fog comes up and the trail and streams start to look similar.

Bandai Sugi is a cryptomeria tree said to be about 3,000 years old.

I hope you like ropes; this is one of the easier ones!

Enjoy views of mountains dropping away to the southern coast.

From the peak, drop down for a visit to the shrine overlooking the coastal towns.

Links:

• Certified Guide List
• Town Page
• Hiking Notification
• Brochure and Island Map
• Yakushima Life Page

Content last updated in 2020.

Experience Level:

Advanced
-Fixed ropes to assist scrambling.
-Narrow ridge
-Leeches in warm months
-Getting Lost

Trail Head Access:

Car or Taxi

Time:

6~9 Hours

Round Trip Distance:

6 km

Trail Head Elevation:

270 m

Peak Elevation:

979 m

Costs:

The town of Yakushima recommends a voluntary donation of ¥1000 (valid for all World-Hertiage Site day hikes in one month) per hiker and purchase of a disposable toilet kit.
For a guided hike expect to pay from ¥12,000 to ¥25,000 depending on season, number of hikers, options, etc.
The cost of a taxi from Anbo runs around ???*** (2020) each way. ¥100 is recommended for use of town-operated toilets at the trail head.

Getting to the Trailhead (GPS coords: 30.2580, 130.5812):

You can take a taxi or drive. It's also possible, but not recommended, to walk from the village of Haruo. Most hikers have breakfast and then leave the trail head in the early morning, often around 7am.

Toilets:

There are toilets at the trail head. Bring a toilet kit (wag bag) for use along the trail and carry out all waste and toilet paper.

Also of interest:

Senpiro Waterfall, Bandai Sugi

Equipment List:

Water Bottle, Lunch + Snacks, Headlamp + Batteries, First Aid Kit, Map, Compass, GPS, Rain Jacket + Rain Pants, Hiking Boots, Spare Jacket, Disposable Toilet Kit, etc.

The Hike:

Almost immediately the trail becomes narrow, slippery, and steep. The uphill battle is pretty relentless until you've climbed several hundred meters. Some years the leeches on this trail are also relentless. After a grueling 60~80 minutes, you'll cross a beautiful and refreshing stream (which can become quite foggy) before reaching the est. 3,000-year old tree named Bandai Sugi. It's so huge it's easily viewable from the town of Haruo. When you get there, contemplate that the elementary kids from Haruo traditionally climb this far as an annual field trip! A ways on, watch for the signs for the Yakusugi tree called Mocchomu Taro, off to the right, whose broken branches are a stark contrast to Bandai Sugi's grandeur. Not far after that will be your last water hole on the left (assuming there has been recent rainfall). Very shortly, you'll be enjoying (or hating, depending on your disposition) views of the mountains dropping away on both sides as you make your way along the ridge to south end of the peak. You will be using your hands to help climb for much of the way, and you'll use fixed ropes to pull yourself up and lower yourself down the mountain. This is not for the feint of heart.

For more info, you can see my blog post about Mocchomu Dake.

In the case of bad weather

There's only one way down this mountain. The trail does not usually flood, and snow, although, possible, is rare; however it is extremely slippery, and people have been known to get lost. Watch your time, and be careful not to lose the trail, especially in dim or foggy conditions. Depending on your carrier, there is cell phone coverage along most of this route.