Pedals and Peaks: An Urbanite’s South Japan Escapade

Japan

Pedals and Peaks: An Urbanite’s South Japan Escapade

As someone who thrives on the electric hum of city life, trading bustling laneways and artisanal lattes for moss-covered forests and volcanic slopes was well beyond my comfort zone. Yet, five days exploring the south of Japan—particularly Yakushima and Mount Aso—offered a blend of challenges and breathtaking beauty that was impossible to resist.

Into the Heart of Yakushima’s Mystical Forest

Yakushima is a place of cinematic wonder. Its Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine is famed for inspiring Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke, and stepping into its emerald embrace felt like walking into a living fairytale.

We had set out for the Taikoiwa Rock Round Trip Course, a 5.6 km hike meant to lead us through the ancient cedar forest to panoramic views of the island. However, nature had other plans. A typhoon had rendered the main trail unusable the week prior, diverting us onto a detour that transformed the hike into a gruelling 10 km, six-hour ordeal.

The trail was slick with mud, and what was meant to be a clear path often dissolved into a labyrinth of tree roots, slippery stones, and lots and lots of mud. I was acutely aware of how far removed I was from my urban bubble. Each step tested my resolve, yet there was a rhythm to the forest that made the struggle worthwhile.

Yakushima’s forest pulses with life. Moss blankets everything, creating a verdant dreamscape that feels timeless. Ancient Yakusugi cedars towered over us, their gnarled trunks whispering stories of centuries past.

When we finally reached the summit, a shroud of cloud had cloaked the view. Instead of sprawling vistas, we were greeted by a surreal, otherworldly whiteness. Initially disappointed, I soon found peace in the ethereal stillness. There’s something uniquely fulfilling about standing in a sea of clouds, disconnected from expectations.

By the time we returned to the car park, our legs were leaden, and our shoes doused in dirt. Yet, the sense of accomplishment—and the connection to this magical landscape—was unparalleled.

A Volcanic Adventure on Two Wheels

The following morning, our aching muscles begged for respite, but adventure called again. This time, it was Mount Aso, Kyushu’s iconic active volcano, where we were set to embark on a mountain e-bike excursion.

My experience with e-bikes had been limited to casual rides on city pavements, so I was woefully unprepared for the rugged terrain awaiting us. The day began with a deceptive ease, pedalling along dirt paths framed by rolling fields. But as we ventured deeper into the volcanic landscape, the challenge intensified.

Bear in mind, it had been a while since I rode your everyday bicycle, so a mountain e-bike was like trying to learn to walk for the first time. We found ourselves navigating through towering six-foot-tall grass fields. My first attempt at riding ended in a less-than-graceful tumble, but there was little time to nurse bruises—our guide swiftly rerouted us to a new path. This alternative route, however, came with its own test: a steep downhill slope.

Here’s where my city sensibilities betrayed me. I underestimated the power of the brakes and, in a moment of panic, gripped them too hard as I descended this slope graced with unreal countryside views. The bike pitched forward, and I was sent sprawling down the slope, earning a split lip and several bruises as souvenirs.

Though shaken, I pressed on, determined to soak in every moment of this raw, untamed experience. Riding around Mount Aso, with its caldera looming in the distance, felt like traversing another planet.

Embracing the Unexpected

Both Yakushima’s forest and Mount Aso demanded a level of grit I didn’t know I
possessed. These experiences weren’t about curated Instagram perfection but about embracing the unpredictable beauty of nature.

For a city girl, there’s something profoundly liberating about surrendering to the elements and pushing through discomfort. The mud, the bruises, and the sore muscles are fleeting, but the memories of ancient forests, volcanic slopes, and a sense of wonder rediscovered will last a lifetime.

So, if you’re a fellow urbanite seeking something extraordinary, let rural Japan challenge you. You might just find yourself in the process.

Words Pauline De Leon