Jomon-sugi Cedar
＜Jomon-sugi Cedar＞
- Height …25.3 meters
- Chest Height Trunk
- Circumference …16.4 meters
- Presumed age …2,000-7,200 years old
- Starting point for trekking…Arakawa Trail Entrance
- Access to starting point…People who start climbing from Arakawa have to use the Arakawa Mountain Bus from Yakusugi Museum mae bus stop during the traffic regulations period from March 1 to November 30.
- 22.3 km(30min. by car) from Miyanoura to Yakusugi Museum mae bus stop and 14.7 km (35 min by bus) to Arakawa Trail Entrance.
- 3.6 km (6 min. by car) from Anbo to Yakusugi Museum mae bus stop and 14.7 km (35 min by bus) to Arakawa Trail Entrance.
- NEAREST BUS STOP… No.70 Arakawa Tozanguchi bus stop
- Altitude…1,300 meters
- Distance from the trail entrance…about 10.6 kilometers (21.2 km round trip)
- The time required for round trip…10-12 hours
- Difference in elevation…1,000 meters
Jomon-sugi cedar is considered to be the largest Yaku-sugi cedar with a trunk circumference of 16.4 meters, the largest in Japan. Jomon-sugi cedar’s stocky and short form is characteristic of Yaku-sugi cedars growing in the harsh environment of Yakushima’s high mountains.
Because of its shape, Jomon-sugi cedar was not valued during the Edo period and survived the massive logging done at that time. The age of Jomon-sugi cedar has been estimated to be from 2,000 to7, 200 years old. Being hollow, a more precise dating of Jomon-sugi cedar is difficult.
In 1996 a wooden observation deck was built to protect Jomon-sugi cedar from the increasing visitors.