Mountaineering Information(登山情報)

If you plan to do any mountain climbing, we ask that you submit a mountain-climbing notification for your safety.

Yakushima, a world natural heritage site, is known for its abundant nature and topographical features, high mountains, old growth forest with Yakusugi over thousands of years old, vertical distribution of vegetation ranging from the coastal subtropical zone to the high mountain subarctic zone, and many academically valued life forms.

Being a popular site, the burden on the environment has increased dramatically in recent years. The conservation and management of Yakushima’s irreplaceable nature is a top priority. We ask all who visit Yakushima to keep Yakushima clean and help protect the environment for our future generation. Please bring back your trash.

 ◆◆◆ Things you should know before climbing. ◆◆◆

◇ 縄文杉荒川登山口車両乗入れ規制について

山岳部への過剰な車両の乗入れによる環境負荷の軽減と混雑緩和のため、荒川登山口への乗入れが終日規制されます。マイカー・レンタカー・二輪車を利用される方は、屋久杉自然館前の駐車場に停め、シャトルバス(有料)をご利用ください。貸切バス・タクシーは通行できますが、これらを利用される方は荒川ルート利用券をご購入ください。

  • 【規制期間】 3月1日~11月30日
  • 【規制時間】 終日(荒川三叉路にてゲート設置)
  • 【規制場所】 町道荒川線入口(荒川三叉路) 〜 荒川登山口
    Traffic regulations for Jomon-sugi Arakawa Route

※詳細については屋久島山岳部車両運行対策協議会ホームページをご覧ください。

◆General Information

Yakushima is a round shaped mountainous island with a circumference of 132 kilometers. Known as the “Alps on the Ocean”, Yakushima has over 45 mountains higher than 1,000 meters including Mt. Miyanoura at 1936 meters, the highest mountain in Kyushu.

◆Climate

Yakushima has an annual rainfall of 8,000 to 10,000 millimeters falling mainly in the mountains. In winter you may see snow on mountains over 800 meters high. The temperature on the summits may be as low as -15 degrees Celsius, 10 to 20 degrees lower than the coastal areas. Temperature and weather on the island may vary dramatically.

◆Mountain Trail Information

Most of Yakushima’s mountain climbing routes are well marked with signs. However you must be careful when climbing and stay on the trails at all times. Mountain accidents have happened in the past. To be on the safe side, please select trails that are commonly used.

If you lose your way, you should stay put and wait for help. If you must, descend along a ridge but never descend to a stream to follow it out. It is very dangerous with waterfalls and slippery ravines.

◆Mountaineering Equipment

For your safety and comfort the following equipment is essential if you plan to do any mountaineering: the appropriate items of clothing, rain wear, flashlight, compass, whistle, map, mobile phone, radio, and a first aid kit. Also food, energy bar, and water should be part of your gear.

Please be aware that all essential supplies should be prepared in advanced before the climb. There are no stores in the mountain.

Mobile phone reception in the mountains is limited. Jomonsugi observational deck, Meotosugi, Nageshi-daira, summits of Mt. Miyanoura, Mt. Kuromi, Mt. Kurio, Mt. Tachu, and places where Tanegashima Island can be seen are some of the places that mobile phones may be used. We highly recommend that you bring a mobile phone in case of an emergency.

◆Mountain Climbing Notification

Mountain climbing notifications are used to insure your safety while mountaineering in Yakushima. They are used to locate you if you were not able to return from a climb in an appropriate amount of time. If you meet with an accident or disaster and need help, a search and rescue will be conducted. Please be advised, if a search and rescue is conducted, you will be responsible for the total cost. The Mountain Climbing Notification forms can be found at Yakushima Town Hall, Miyanoura and Anbo ports, Yakushima Airport, police stations, and Tourist Information Centers.

※Click here for the details of the recent mountaineering accidents

◆Hiking Manners

Protect plants and animals

Conservation of Yakushima’s environment is a high priority. Disturbing the plants and wildlife can effect the environment destroying the ecosystem. Please do not take or damage any wildlife while hiking or visiting Yakushima. Damaging or taking any part of nature in the National Park is strictly prohibited.

Trash

What you take with you into the mountains should be brought back with you when you leave the mountains. Take a trash bag with you so that you can have a place to put the trash in to carry out. Once back at your accommodation, you can dispose of the trash. Please follow the guideline for separating the trash.

Keeping the Waters Clean

To reduce the pollution of the mountain’s water resources, we ask that after a meal, wipe the plates and cooking utensils with tissue paper instead of washing them. Also use the outhouses or disposable toilets. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

No Camping or Fires on the Mountains

Camping is not permitted in the mountains. Mountain huts are available for overnight stays. All fires are strictly prohibited.

No Pets Allowed in the Mountains

To preserve the ecosystem, pets are not allowed to accompany you on your climb.

No Feeding the Wildlife

It is important to keep the balance in nature so as not to upset the ecosystem. Feeding the wildlife can cause a change in their habit. They may look adorable but they are wild animals and should be considered dangerous.

Mountain Outhouses

Maintaining the mountain outhouses is hard work. Proper usage of the outhouses is a must so that all the outhouses can be available to everyone who wishes to use them. Please do not throw inappropriate items in the toilets. An alternative to the outhouses is the disposable toilets that can be purchased at many locations throughout Yakushima.

◆Mountain Huts (Shelters)

Name Capacity of People Structure of Huts Altitude
Shiratani Hut 40 reinforced concrete building 825 m
Takatsuka Hut 20 concrete block building 1,330 m
Shin-takatsuka Hut 40 wooden construction 1,460 m
Shikanosawa Hut 20 stone-built building 1,550 m
Yodogawa Hut 40 wooden construction 1,380 m
Ishizuka Hut 14 concrete block building 1,600 m

Mountain huts are unmanned and free of charge. They are first come first serve accommodations, no reservations. Please share the limited space peacefully with the other climbers. There are no cooking facilities, electricity, beddings, and heating systems at the mountain huts so please be well prepared. Please keep the huts clean for the next user. Make sure that you don’t leave anything behind, including your trash.

◆Location of the Outhouses

On the Arakawa Route: Arakawa Trail Entrance, Kosugidani, Ohkabu Mountain Trail Entrance, Takatsuka Hut, and Shin-takatsuka Hut

On Yodogawa Route: Yakusugi Land Entrance, Yodogawa Trail Entrance, and Yodogawa Hut

On Shiratani Route: Shiratani Unsui Ravine (Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine), and Shiratani Hut

Others: Shikanosawa Hut and Ishizuka Hut

◆Emergency Contacts

Contact information for police stations and hospitals are listed below.

As for inquiries regarding traveling;

Telephone numbers

Yakushima Tourism Association 0997-49-4010
Miyanoura Information Office 0997-42-1019
Anbo Information Office 0997-46-2333
Tourism and Commerce Section
Yakushima Town Office
0997-43-5900