Yakushima: Jomon Tsugi

Soundtrack: Elgar's Cello Concerto 1st Movement performed by Jacqueline du Pre

From Yakushima

Second day in a row I’m up at 4am, I picked up my Bento Breakfast & lunch and I’m at the Bus Stop by 4:45. Its pitch black out, but the bus quickly fills up with fellow climbers. The trail head is packed full with breakfasters, so I hit the trail to beat the rush. After a quick jont through a cave, I follow the lumber railway up a ridge where I see the sunrise at 7. Truly stunning landscape, I try not to take too many photos. It was so beautiful that I could take a video of the entire hike and watch it over and over.

From Yakushima

I leapfrog a few hikers before I hit an old ruin on the other side of the second suspension bridge. I scarf down my breakfast bento under the sakura. Some sort of archaeological dig is going on nearby. I recognize the tools and the markings from my paleontology days.
Once I reach the old growth trees, I realize that I can no longer avoid the final message of Mononoke Hime: life from death. I am surrounded by trees growing from the bodies of their ancestors.
Once I hit the end of the railroad tracks, the real climbing begins. Apparently, the prepared climbers come equipped gloves. My hands came away in working condition, but I see why they recommend gloves now...

From Yakushima

The first major stop was the Wilson Stump, which is about the size of my apartment.

From Yakushima

Jomon Tsugi, the main attraction, was about 2.5 km further up. By the size, they estimate it to be 7200 years old. A sample taken places it closer to 2150. I have to say, as striking as Jomon was, it had no context. The entire area around it has been dug up and re cultivated. I preferred the undisturbed sights on the ascent.

From Yakushima

Even on the way down, it was difficult not to photograph everything. I made some friends on the way up, and we went of to Yakuland, passing hordes of monkeys on the roadside, staring us down with their beady red eyes. I got back to the ryokan around 5, where the incredible hosts had arranged a car for me to get to the tomorrow’s trail head. They also had prepared a beautiful dinner with a flying fish expertly prepared.

From Yakushima