This is the landscape that has captured the imagination of the world. Shiratani Unsuikyo is the iconic, primeval forest famed for being the inspiration for Studio Ghibli's masterpiece, Princess Mononoke.

On this guided trek, you will immerse yourself in a world carpeted in countless shades of green moss, wander along ancient stone paths, and listen to the murmur of crystal-clear streams.

Your expert guide will not only navigate the trails safely but will also illuminate the deep connection between the rocks, trees, and water that defines this sacred ravine. The route is flexible; we can tailor the trek to your fitness and interests, whether that means a peaceful walk through the most famous mossy areas or a more rewarding hike to the breathtaking viewpoint of Taiko Iwa.

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Price

• 1 passenger: ¥53,000
• 2 passengers: ¥66,000 (¥33,000 / person)
• 3 passengers: ¥93,000 (¥31,000 / person)
• 4 passengers: ¥116,000 (¥29,000 / person)

This is the landscape that has captured the imagination of the world. Shiratani Unsuikyo is the iconic, primeval forest famed for being the inspiration for Studio Ghibli's masterpiece, Princess Mononoke. On this guided trek, you will immerse yourself in a world carpeted in countless shades of green moss, wander along ancient stone paths, and listen to the murmur of crystal-clear streams. Your expert guide will not only navigate the trails safely but will also illuminate the deep connection between the rocks, trees, and water that defines this sacred ravine. The route is flexible; we can tailor the trek to your fitness and interests, whether that means a peaceful walk through the most famous mossy areas or a more rewarding hike to the breathtaking viewpoint of Taiko Iwa.

Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine is a natural forest with giant boulders, oldhollow trees, waterfalls, and many rare species of plants and moss. It is locatedin the north of Yakushima Its temperate coniferous forest of 424 ha sits at an elevationof 600–1200 m. The ravine is home to Japanese fir (Abies firma), Japanese cedar trees (sugi in Japanese) (Cryptomeriajaponica), and Japanese hemlock (Tsugasieboldii), as well as more than 550 species of moss.

The hiking trails along the ravine pass some of the oldest sugi trees on the island; those older thanone thousand years are referred to as yakusugias they are found only here. Hiking trails also pass a riverside spot with largemoss-covered boulders, including Taikoiwa Rock or “big drum boulder.” Here visitorscan get a spectacular view of the highest peaks on the island.

The ravine has three mainhiking courses. The short one-hour Yayoi Sugi course is named for a sugi dating to the Yayoi period (approx.300 BCE–300 CE). The longer three-hour Bugyo Sugi course passesa handful of extraordinary yakusugi. Finally,the four-hour course around the Taikoiwa Rock also passes many yakusugi and ends with a magnificent viewof the mountain range of central Yakushima.