Shiratani Unsuikyo: Google Doodle Celebrates the Most Popular Tourist Destination on Yakushima Island, Japan

Shiratani Unsuikyo, an ancient cedar forest on Yakushima Island that is home to some of the oldest trees in Japan, is the subject of today’s Google Doodle. The anime film Princess Mononoke, which drew inspiration from Shiratani Unsuikyo, was released on July 12, 1997.

Because the island receives a lot of rain, the lovely forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The heaviest rainfall in all of Japan, frequently exceeding 8,000 mm annually, is experienced here, where locals jokingly claim that it rains 35 days a month.

Over 1,900 plant species, 150 species of birds, and 16 mammal species can be found in the gorge and its surrounding area; several of these species are endemic or exclusive to the region, such as the Yakushima macaque and the Yaku deer.

Hiking routes lead through much of the verdant ravine, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wandering about, they take in the enchanted landscape, which features cascading streams and logs covered in 600 varieties of moss. Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke), an animated film, was inspired by these charming views.

Jomon Sugi, the oldest tree in the forests, is the destination of one of the longest treks. This ancient evergreen is classified as a Yakusugi, a cedar that is over a thousand years old. Its estimated age ranges from 2,000 to 7,000 years. It takes 10-12 hours to walk to and from Jomon Sugi.

There are no other moss-loving landscapes on Earth like Shiratani Unsuikyo. For many years to come, future generations will be able to enjoy the ravine because of conservation initiatives and legislation governing the preservation of natural environments.