CHALLENGING COASTAL ALPINE PEAK
MOCHOMUDAKE 7-9 hours
- ¥40 000 private solo guide
- ¥25 000 per person for 2 clients
- ¥20 000 per person for 3 clients
- ¥18 000 per person for 4 or more
- 2 Liter water capacity (minimal water points)
- Solid hiking shoes/boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Day pack ~ 25 liters
- Sunglasses
- Gloves
- Warm layer
- Lunch is included! (but bring snacks)
- Difficult (Mountain Trail, Steep Ascent & Ropes)
Mt Mochomu is the most demanding trail as it is steep and the trail relatively wild. It is also one of the most spectacular day hikes that we offer here at YAKUSHIMA EXPERIENCE. Located at the south-eastern coast of Yakushima near Hara Village, the start point is located on the Senpiro-no-taki path, which is in itself a phenomenal waterfall. It is probably only 200m from the carpark to the Mt Mochomu trailhead.
This is a solid uphill hike which will take around 3-4 hours to reach the granite rock feature Mt Mochomu. This hike is covered by lush forest for most of the way up, and this is a good thing when the sun is shining, as the shade the trees provide is most welcome.
The trail goes through forest for most of the hike, passing Bandaisugi, a majestic tree thought to be around 3000 years old, before reaching the highest point of the trail, Kamiyama tembodai (979m).
From Kamiyama tembodai you actually look down onto Mochomudake, and you also start to get an idea of how high up you are. Mt Mochomu is a granite formation, and its location away from the main mountain, makes it a special place to be. To reach it from Kamiyama tembodai you descend around 40m via a bottleneck rock ridge-line. Due to this exposure, it is probably not a good idea to do this hike in high winds!
The ridge line takes 25-40 minutes & the views are nothing short of amazing. From the ridge you really get a good feel for the vast granite mountain range towards the island interior. When you get close to the Mt Mochomu you ascend up the side of the huge rock dome, and there are some ropes set there to assist. While you do not need any technical climbing experience, some upper body strength certainly helps to reach the peak.
At the top the 360 degree views are nothing short of breath-taking. This is a great spot to sit and have some lunch, take in the scenery & of course take the obligatory photos. A sun-hat and wind-breaker jacket are often needed if you plan on being at the top for a while.
