Photo: KimonBerlin / CC BY-SA 2.0Checked · Researched, not yet visited · times from official timetables and our estimates · Takumi Yamada
A forest of cedar, moss-covered granite and clear streams at 600–1,050 m, ten kilometres above Miyanoura. The route to the moss forest linked to Princess Mononoke, and on to Taikoiwa Rock, is the best-known walk on the island that fits inside a port day.
Three things the plaques won't tell you
- Wear shoes with grip and carry a rain jacket: the paths are wet granite and roots.
- After heavy rain the streams rise; the forest council asks hikers to wait until crossings are safe.
- Bring coins or ¥1,000 notes: the bus takes cash or local IC cards only, not Suica.
The route to the moss forest linked to Princess Mononoke, and on to Taikoiwa Rock, is the best-known walk on the island that fits inside a port day.
Questions people ask here
How long does the Shiratani Unsuikyo moss forest walk take?
About 2 hours 30 minutes from the entrance to the moss forest and back, on the Taikoiwa route. The full round trip to Taikoiwa Rock is about 4 hours; the short Yayoisugi course about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Can I go to Shiratani Unsuikyo from a cruise ship?
Yes. The bus from the 宮之浦 stop, about 20 minutes on foot from the cruise quay, takes about 35 minutes, ¥530, at 8:23, 10:08, 13:13 and 15:33, and comes back at 9:00, 10:40, 13:45 and 16:10. A taxi from the cruise quay is about 25 minutes.