YakushimaFestival Shiratani-unsui Gorge, Yakusugiland (natural recreation forest)

Shiratani-unsui Gorge, Yakusugiland (natural recreation forest)

Yakushima receives so much rainfall that it is said to "rain 35 days a month." The Yakushima Natural Recreation Forest, part of the World Natural Heritage Site, is a virgin forest where beautiful moss nurtured by the rain covers the ground surface, and is dotted with giant Yakusugi cedar trees that are more than several thousand years old.
The forest also contains huge stumps of Yakusugi cedars from the feudal domain era and the remains of test cutting, which tell the history of people and Yakusugi cedars.

Shiratani-unsui Gorge, Yakusugiland (natural recreation forest)

Shiratani Unsui Gorge (Moss forest)

Yakushima Natural Recreation Forest (Shiratani area)
426.52ha

Elevation Located in the northeastern part of the island at an elevation of 600 to 1,050 meters above sea level.

There is a Kusukawa trail that was used to transport huge stumps and flatwoods of Yakusugi cedar that were cut down.
These forests provide a sense of Yakushima's vanished industrial history, such as the ruins of mochi fields used to produce torimochi (a sticky substance used to catch birds and insects) made from yamaguruma and other plants.

It rains so much that it is said that "it rains 35 days in a month," and the forest is beautiful with natural terrestrial forests including Yakusugi cedars and beautiful lichen moss plants covering the entire surface.

※You can also see Yakusugi cedars such as Yayoi cedar and Bugyo cedar.
※The granite boulder "Ikoi-no-Oiwa（Great Rock of Relaxation）" and the large volume of water falling from Hiryuotoshi are eye-catching
※The mossy forest is a natural garden with a variety of beautiful mosses covering the stumps and rocks of yakusugi cedars that were cut down in the Edo period (1603-1868).
※The view from Taikoiwa, one climb up from Tsujitouge（Tsuji Pass）, is breathtaking, offering a panoramic view of Okudake, including Mt.Miyanoura-dake, the highest peak in Kyushu.

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Shiratani Unsui Gorge (Suigen no Mori(forests of water sources))

Shiratani Unsui Gorge has been selected as one of the 100 best suigen no mori (forests of water sources).
What are the "100 Best Water Source Forests"?
The "Suigen no Mori" is a forest that has been preserved and nurtured to obtain water since ancient times, and also maintained through the efforts of local residents who have become one with the water.
This is a representative forest where an ideal relationship between forests and people has been created with water as a mediator.

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Yakusugiland (Buddhasugi Cedar)

Yakushima Natural Recreation Forest (Arakawa area)
270.33ha

Elevation Located in the southeastern part of the island at an elevation of 950m~1,300m.

You can see huge stumps of Yakusugi cedars that have been cut down and the remains of trial logging.
This forest tells the story of Yakushima's industrial history, where Domaiboku and other trees also lie.(Domaiboku　Timber left on the mountain after being cut down, fallen trees and stumps caused by typhoons, etc.)

It rains so much that it is said, "It rains 35 days a month, and it is a natural forest of mixed coniferous and broad-leaved trees with beautiful moss covering the ground surface.

Yakusugiland is a forest where you can easily appreciate many Yakusugi cedars.
※You can also see Yakusugi cedars such as Sennensugi Cedar, Buddhasugi Cedar, Hahakosugi Cedar, Odasugi Cedar, Futagosugi Cedar, Kugurisugi Cedar, and Higechoro（Bearded Elders）.
※The primeval forests containing giant Abies firma, Tsuga sieboldii, Stewartia monadelpha, and Trochodendron aralioides trees can be seen.

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