A green world as far as the eye can see. Healed by the mossy forest.
The next day, we will start climbing early in the morning. We will start from Shiratani Unsuikyo, which was the inspiration for the setting of the movie "Princess Mononoke," to Taikoiwa via Kusukawa Hodo (Kusu River Trail). The distance is about 5 km round trip, and the standard course time is about 3.5 hours.
The elevation of the trailhead for Shiratani-unsui Gorge is 610 meters. . Access is a 20-minute drive from the Miyanoura district in the northern part of the island. A local bus service is also available from Miyanoura Port.
From the trailhead, follow the well-maintained boardwalk for a while.
After a 20-minute walk overlooking the beautiful valley and passing a suspension bridge, you will be on a real mountain trail.
The Kusugawa Trail leading from Shiratani Unsui Gorge to Taikoiwa is a green forest with a mixture of Yakusugi cedar and terraced-leaved trees . You will be bathed in pleasant negative ions as you walk along the trail.
The whole area was a green world as far as the eye could see. Mr. Mihara was so taken by the sight that is typical of Yakushima that he couldn't help but point his camera at it.
The forest, with its rocks and trees covered with moss, has an ethereal atmosphere. It is truly the world of Princess Mononoke.
The three of them are wearing Salomon's "Outpulse" series. These lightweight hiking shoes offer excellent protection and grip.
Enomoto and Yamamoto wore the mid-cut type, while Mihara wore the low-cut type. Both chose GORE-TEX models. The superior waterproof and breathable properties of the Gore-Tex® waterproof and moisture permeable materials allow them to withstand the rigors of running in streams and muddy conditions.
Cedars called Yakusugi, which are over 1,000 years old, are also unique to Yakushima. Many Yakusugi cedars exist in the Shiratani-unsui Gorge area.
This is "Kuguri Cedar". It stands straddling the trail and allows visitors to pass under two cedars.
This huge tree that makes you look up is "Nanabonsugi". It is the second largest Yakusugi in this area.
