Travel Experiences
in Kyushu

Nobody knows exactly how old Jomon Sugi is. Carbon-14 dates the age of this ancient Japanese cedar tree to somewhere between 2,200 and 7,200 years. Most experts agree that it's at least a few thousand years old—indeed, from Japan's prehistoric Jomon period. And it is still alive today. In terms of lifespan, it's pretty close to "forever" in human years.
In Yakushima, Jomon Sugi is not alone. It may be the oldest and most famous yakusugi, but the island is home to many of these endemic Cryptomeria cedars that have lived for at least a millennium. Around 30 of them have names. So I am particularly excited to embark on a hike through the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, which is one of the most scenic areas in the primeval forest, not to mention the most popular. Its exceptionally dense, moss-covered landscape of twisted trunks, sprawling roots, silent stones, and running streams is also what inspired Miyazaki Hayao's 1997 Ghibli animated film Princess Mononoke.

In the northwest of Oita, Mt. Takasaki is home to over 1,200 wild Japanese macaques that freely roam the hills. It isn't a zoo in the conventional sense; it is a place where the monkeys who live on the mountain can come to play and be fed.

Whether you're after an exciting hike near an active volcano, getting up close and personal with wildlife, or just relaxing in lush fields of green, Aso Kuju National Park has something for everyone. Located in central Kyushu, this vast park is named after the mountains and active volcanos surrounding it. Established in 1934, this is one of the oldest and most beautiful national parks in Japan, making it popular with visitors year-round.