Jomon Sugi (Jomon Cedar)

Overview

One of the largest ancient Yakusugi cedars growing naturally on Yakushima Island. While estimates vary, its age is said to be 'thousands of years (3,000+ years, with various theories),' making it a representative sacred tree (goshinboku) of the island. Yakushima was registered as Japan's first World Natural Heritage site in 1993, and Jomon Sugi serves as its symbol. It was discovered in 1966 by the tourism section chief of the Yakushima Town Office and was initially called 'Oiwa Sugi.' To ensure its protection, it can only be viewed from a wooden deck located about ten meters away, and entering the immediate vicinity is prohibited. Access requires a serious trek of approximately 8 to 10 hours round-trip from the Arakawa trailhead.

Highlights

• ・One of the largest Yakusugi cedars with an estimated age of thousands of years
• ・Symbol of the World Natural Heritage site, Yakushima
• ・Viewable from a wooden deck (entry prohibited)
• ・Serious trekking of approximately 5 hours one way