Celebrating Shiratani Unsuikyo

On this day in 1997, Princess Mononoke was released, an anime movie that was partially inspired by Shiratani Unsuikyo.

The beautiful grove is filled with biodiversity, partly because of the amount of rain the island receives. Locals joke that it rains 35 days a month, and it has the highest rainfall in all of Japan, often more than 8,000 mm a year. In the gorge and surrounding area, there are around 1,900 plants, 150 types of birds, and 16 mammal species — several of which are endemic or unique to the area, including the Yakushima macaque and the Yaku deer.

Much of the lush ravine is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it can be explored through hiking trails. People stroll and enjoy the magical scenery including babbling streams and moss-covered logs — 600 different types of moss can be found here. These enchanting views inspired the animated film Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke). One of the longest treks goes to Jomon Sugi, the oldest tree in the woods. The ancient evergreen is estimated to be between 2,000 and 7,000 years old, making it a Yakusugi, the title for cedars over 1,000 years old. The walk to and from Jomon Sugi takes 10-12 hours to complete.

The moss-merizing landscapes in Shiratani Unsuikyo are unlike any other on Earth. Thanks to conservation efforts and laws regulating natural environmental preservation, future generations will enjoy the ravine for years to come.