Yakushima Island Circuit — Ancient CedarWilderness.

Distance

130 km

Duration

1 day

Climb

1,800 m

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Curated by Rider · Updated Jun 2026

Overview

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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Day-by-day

The route.

ROUTE

6 stops

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.

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