{"id":14052,"date":"2017-08-06T08:00:14","date_gmt":"2017-08-05T23:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=14052"},"modified":"2020-03-27T10:56:33","modified_gmt":"2020-03-27T01:56:33","slug":"9-hour-hike-wilson-stump-great-jomon-sugi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/9-hour-hike-wilson-stump-great-jomon-sugi\/","title":{"rendered":"The 9 Hour Hike to Wilson Stump and The Great Jomon Sugi at Yakuhisma"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

The journey for a glimpse of Jomon Sugi<\/strong> is a long and arduous 9 hours hike through mossy forest, questionably wonky bridges and unknown random pathways. It\u2019s incredibly easy to lose your path if, like me, you lack a proper map that isn\u2019t just the typical Japanese squiggly lines. Luckily, the route is incredibly popular with Japanese people and tourists alike, so I could easily follow someone through this Japanese-only sign posted, no ribbon marked mind field. Better still, get your phrase book out and ask someone. You might get lucky and, like me, end up tagging along with someone who actually speaks pretty good English.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Jomon Sugi is located on Miyanoura-dake<\/strong> which, at 1,300m, is the highest peak on Yakushima<\/strong>. And, at 25.3m tall, with a trunk circumference of 16.4m, it is the largest and oldest yakusugi on the island, and the largest conifer in the whole of Japan. It\u2019s actual age is unknown, but it has been estimated between 2,170 and 7,200 years old, with most people agreeing that it is probably over 5,000 years old. The tree itself was discovered in 1968 and immediately sparked some movements towards increasing tourism to the island, as well as to protecting the trees and the surrounding environment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

Reaching the tree\u2019s observation deck, built following the designation of Yakushima as a World Heritage Site<\/strong> in 1933, takes a good 4 to 5 hour hike and, with the last bus leaving Arakawa Trail<\/strong> Entrance at 16:53pm, it means you\u2019ll need to set out pretty early to get there and back in time. In fact, I was up and at the bus stop from Miyanoura port at the ridiculously ripe time of 4:09.<\/p>\n

\"Beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re leaving from Miyanoura port, you will need to change to the mountain climbing bus at Yakusugi Shizenkan (museum)<\/strong>. Please be warned however, that even though it is ridiculously early, there will be a good amount of people wanting to take this bus, so you may need to wait a while. Luckily, I was alone so it was easy for me to jump the queue, but if there are a few of you, you will be harder to seat, so bare this in mind. I would recommend taking the earliest bus possible<\/strong> from your accommodation.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

This hike is extremely long<\/strong> and only increases with intensity as you depart from the beautifully mossy train tracks and begin to climb into the clutches of the weaving, clawing, twisted trees and roots of the forest. Please be warned that this hike requires a good level of fitness and stamina. Come prepared and be aware of what you are capable of.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a few essential items that you will want to take with you:<\/strong><\/p>\n