In trekking, having the right gear makes a significant difference in both safety and comfort.
Footwear should be sturdy and provide good grip—well-fitting trekking shoes that protect your feet are essential. A backpack that fits your body and is easy to carry is ideal for long hours of hiking. Don’t forget to bring warm clothing, rainwear, water, snacks for energy, and a headlamp if you’ll be walking during low-light hours.
Lack of proper equipment can leave you vulnerable to sudden weather changes or injuries, increasing the risk during your trek. To fully enjoy nature, it is crucial to be well-prepared in advance and to choose gear that matches your fitness level, skills, and the demands of your chosen trail.
Belongings List
| summer | spring / autumn | winter | note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast / Lunch | ○ | ○ | ○ | –Must prepare/order in advance (most of accommodation will help you to order) -Both are essential for the tour start early morning -Not necessary on half day tour |
| Snacks / Emergency food | ○ | ○ | ○ | ex. Energy bar, energy gel, nuts, chocolate |
| Drink | ○ | ○ | ○ | -500ml to 1,000ml for one day tour you can fill the water during the tour -1L or more is necessary on multi-day trekking tour |
| Beanie | ー | ー | ○ | -for cold weather -better to have on multi-day trekking tour on spring / autumn |
| Sun glass | △ | △ | △ | better to have on multi-day trekking tour not necessary on one day tour |
| gloves | △ | △ | ○ | for injury, dirt, cold weather. |
| Extra clothes | △ | △ | △ | -in case you got wet on the tour better to have extra warm jacket in cold weather -essential for multi-day trekking -essential in rainy day -make sure that put it in the dry bag |
| Big dry bag | △ | △ | △ | to keep items dry in backpack big plastic bag is also OK |
| Foldable umbrella | △ | △ | △ | -to use when taking break and lunch in rain -not recommended to use while walking for safety reason |
| Gator | △ | △ | △ | |
| Towel | △ | △ | △ | |
| Portable toilet | △ | △ | △ | -there is no toilet on trail basically -it’s posible to purchase in Yakushima |
| Toilet paper | △ | △ | △ | -essential for multi-day trekking |
| Prescription Medications | ○ | ○ | ○ | |
| Toiletries | △ | △ | △ | -No soap and tooth paste. it will make damage to nature. -essential for multi-day trekking |
| Ear plugs / eye mask | △ | △ | △ | -essential for multi-day trekking Not to be bothered by loud snore |
| Sunscreen | △ | △ | △ | -you can use it in multi-day trekking Some sunscreens might attract insects due to their scent or ingredients. |
| Backpack ※ | ○ | ○ | ○ | better to use backpack made for trekking with rain cover -one day 20~25L -multi-day 30~40L |
| Trekking poles ※ | △ | △ | △ | Recommended for those with knee issues or balance concerns; rubber tips required to protect vegetation. |
| Cap / Hat ※ | △ | △ | △ | -sunshade -recommended for those wearing glasses in the rain |
| Head light ※ | △ | △ | ○ | depend on the season(essential in autumn to spring) the tour might start before sunrise essential from October to March -essential for multi-day trekking |
| Trekking shoes ※ | ○ | ○ | ○ | Proper water proof trekking shoes are recommended. Do not use OLD trekking shoes. |
| Rain jacket / pants ※ | ○ | ○ | ○ | -Separate top and bottom, highly waterproof. –essential even sunny day -can be used for extra clothes vinyl rain poncho is not accepted |
| Sleeping bag ※ | △ | △ | △ | -essential for multi-day trekking |
| Sleeping mat ※ | △ | △ | △ | -essential for multi-day trekking |
| Crampons /Chain spike ※ | ー | ー | △ | -essential for trekking on snow |
Items marked with an asterisk (*) are available for rental on Yakushima Island.
We highly recommend using Yakushima Rental, our official rental partner.
You can enjoy a 10% discount when renting through them.
Important Notes
・If you are missing essential items, you may be refused participation even on the day of the tour.
In such cases, no refunds will be issued.
・Yakushima receives about three times more rainfall than the national average in Japan.
Please be well-prepared for wet conditions.
In particular, high-quality rainwear is essential for your safety. Vinyl raincoats without breathability may cause condensation inside while walking, leaving your clothes wet. These are strongly discouraged. Old rainwear may also have lost its waterproof function over time and is not recommended.
If you’re hesitant to purchase new gear, we suggest using a rental shop to ensure proper equipment.
・Trekking shoes will be worn throughout the entire tour, so please prepare sturdy, proper footwear.
If you are purchasing new boots, be sure to break them in beforehand. Wearing brand-new boots for the first time during the hike can easily cause blisters.
Also, even if you have expensive boots purchased long ago, if they haven’t been worn for a long time, the soles may deteriorate (hydrolysis) and come off during the tour.
If you’re hesitant to buy new boots, we recommend using a rental shop to ensure proper gear
・The lighter your backpack, the more comfortable your trek will be.
Make sure to clearly distinguish between what is essential and what is not.
If you’re hiking as a group, consider sharing items that can be used collectively to reduce individual loads. Always aim for a safe and comfortable trekking experience.
Wanderlust Yakushima 