Yakushima Island Circuit — Ancient CedarWilderness.
Distance
130 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,800 m
Yakushima Island Circuit — Ancient Cedar Wilderness.
Yakushima is a UNESCO World Heritage island 60km south of Kyushu, home to yakusugi cedar trees over 2,000 years old (the oldest, Jomon-sugi, is estimated at 7,200 years). The island inspired Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke. A single road circuits the coast; the Seibu Rindo forest track through the western wilderness interior is unmissable — wild Yakushima macaques and deer share the unpaved road. The combination of paved coastal circuit and unpaved mountain interior makes this a rare dual-surface Japan adventure.
Quick facts
SurfaceMixed
Distance130 km
Days1
Total climb1,800 m
Fuel stops1 along route
DifficultyChallenging
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The route.
Miyanoura PortStart · Arrive by ferry from Kagoshima (2h by high-speed jet foil, 4h by regular ferry). Fuel up in Miyanoura — the only reliable fuel stop on the island. Head northwest on the coastal road.
Shiratani Unsuikyo GorgeScenic Point · The gorge that inspired the Mononoke forest scenes — ancient moss-covered yakusugi cedars draped over a mountain stream. Park the bike and walk at least the 1-hour lower loop. The forest floor is entirely carpeted in emerald moss.
Nagata Inakahama BeachPhoto Spot · Japan's most important loggerhead sea turtle nesting beach. May–July, females come ashore at night to lay eggs; July–September, hatchlings emerge. The beach is also the best on the island for surfing. Crystal-clear water.
Seibu Rindo Forest TrackScenic Point · The western wilderness road — mostly unpaved. Wild Yakushima macaques sit in the middle of the track and refuse to move; deer graze the verges. The forest here is the densest and most primeval on the island. Go slowly and expect mud.
Anbo — East Coast FuelFuel Stop · Anbo is the island's second settlement and the trailhead for the Jomon-sugi day hike (10 hours return). Fuel stop here before the final run north to Miyanoura.
Miyanoura PortEnd · Complete the circuit at Miyanoura. The last ferry to Kagoshima departs around 17:00 (check schedules). End with yakushima flying fish (tobiuo) sashimi at the port restaurant — a local island speciality.
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