Requirements

To safely and comfortably enjoy hiking in Yakushima, it is essential to prepare appropriate clothing and gear.
We will provide information about Yakushima’s climate, which is important to know before your hike, as well as details about hiking equipment.

Belongings for trekking

Tour Clothing Guidelines

Belongings for trekking

Essential Items for Day and Overnight Tours

Items Required for Both Day and Overnight Tours

Breakfast for Day 1
Backpack	For day tours: 20L+ For overnight tours: 60L+ – Even with a rain cover, items inside can get wet. Use large plastic or garbage bags for an additional waterproof layer. Wet sleeping bags or clothes can ruin your comfort and safety.
Rainwear	Separate top and bottom, highly waterproof. A folding umbrella and a backpack cover are highly useful in rainy conditions.
Folding Umbrella
Headlamp	Mandatory for emergencies, even on day tours
Hiking Boots
Trekking Poles	Recommended for those with knee issues or balance concerns; rubber tips required to protect vegetation.
Hat
Extra Clothes
Warm Layers
Towel
Water / Water Bottle	Can be a PET bottle; some spots for mountain spring water are available. For those with sensitive stomachs, bring at least 1L of bottled water. Inform your guide if you cannot drink untreated mountain water. Guides will boil mountain water for meals but may not always have the opportunity during hikes.
Toilet Paper and Portable Toilet	With limited facilities on trails, portable toilets are essential for those with frequent needs.
Snacks / Energy Food	E.g. glucose tablets, chocolate, or candy. Quick-energy options like glucose are ideal. Salt is crucial, especially in summer, to avoid hyponatremia. Bring salty snacks or consider electrolyte powders like Pocari Sweat.
Prescription Medications
Garbage Bags

Additional Items for Overnight Tours

Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Toiletries	Only eco-friendly items; shampoo, soap, and toothpaste cannot be used in mountain areas.

Items Provided by Guides for Overnight Tours

Tent
First Aid Kit
Cooking Equipment
Tableware (plates, cups, cutlery)
Meals (starting from Day 1 lunch)

Important Notes

Swimming:
- If you wish to swim in rivers, don’t forget your swimsuit.
Personal Preferences:
- Alcohol and other small luxuries are ok to bring as long as they don’t get overly heavy.
- For breakfast on Day 1 or rental gear, please contact us in advance.
Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Avoid using soaps, shampoos, or toothpaste in the mountains to prevent water pollution.

Tour Clothing Guidelines

Clothing for Each Season

Summer

During summer, a light T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt is usually sufficient. We recommend choosing quick-drying materials. You’ll also need lightweight long pants or shorts, hiking boots, and a summer hat. Avoid cotton pants or jeans.

Spring and Autumn

For early spring or late autumn, we recommend a T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt and light sweater. It’s also a good idea to bring a light jacket. You’ll need long pants or shorts, hiking boots, and a summer hat. Again, avoid cotton pants or jeans.

Winter

In winter, your hiking gear will need to be more extensive. A minimum of three layers of clothing is required. Underwear in insulating materials may be necessary for comfort. During stops, your body will cool off quickly, so it’s advisable to bring a fleece or down jacket for warmth. You’ll also need long pants, hiking boots, a warm hat, and gloves.

Rain

Yakushima is a very rainy island. Even with rain gear, your clothes may still get wet. Prepare a change of clothes made of quick-drying material, not cotton. Wearing wet cotton clothes can lead to hypothermia, even in summer. For rainwear, it’s recommended to use waterproof, separated jackets and pants.

For Those Joining Mountain Overnight Tours

The mornings and evenings in the mountains can be cold. For fall, winter, and spring, bring thick down jackets, fleece, and gloves. In summer, don’t forget fleece. Since individual tolerance to cold varies, please refer to the chart below to gauge the temperature at your intended mountain peak during your visit. If you’re aiming for high peaks like Miyanoura-dake or Kuromi-dake and are sensitive to the cold, even in summer, a down jacket will be necessary.