Yakushima is famous for its millennium old Yakusugi forests. A sugi tree (Cryptomeria Japonica) is usually translated into English as a "Japanese Cedar."
The most famous tree in all of Yakushima is the "Jomon Sugi," a cedar purported to be anywhere from 2000 to 7000 years old. Since the tree lies in the very heart of the island, it requires a 40 minute car ride to get to the hiking trail, and a five-hour hike from there to simply get to the viewing area.
With no means of transportation and limited time on the island, the tourist information woman broke the news to me gently; "You visiting the sugi...hmmm...that would be impossible."
Thus, I had to settle for a slightly touristy hiking adventure. The Yakushima Natural Recreation Forest (cutely named Yakusugi Land in Japanese), is the second largest grouping of primeval cedars on the island. In Yakusugi Land, convenient boardwalks, suspension bridges, and staircases usher nature goers around predetermined cedar circuits that pass by all the noteworthy trees.
I didn't see any Yakuzaru (red bottomed macaque monkeys) during my hike, but I did see a Yakushika (Deer). Just so you know, every plant, animal, and insect on Yakushima has a "Yaku" tacked onto the front of the name, so as to indicate that it was found on the island.
Enjoy the pictures below!
B.E.W.
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