Panoramic views and seasonal scenery
From the summit, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of some of Shikoku’s most celebrated peaks, including Ichinomori at 1,879 meters, Mount Tsurugi at 1,955 meters, and Mount Miune at 1,898 meters. On clear days, the view extends beyond the mountains to the Seto Inland Sea and Awaji Island.
The landscape changes beautifully throughout the year. Spring brings fresh green foliage and wild mountain cherry blossoms, while summer blankets the slopes in lush greenery. In autumn, the forests turn brilliant shades of red and gold, and winter brings snow-covered scenery that gives the mountain a serene, otherworldly atmosphere.
Mount Kotsu and the history of Shugendo
Mount Kotsu has long been revered as a sacred site for Shugendo practitioners. Near the summit stands Kotsuji Temple, traditionally said to have been founded in the seventh century by En no Gyoja, the legendary ascetic associated with the origins of Shugendo.
The temple belongs to the Daikakuji branch of Shingon Buddhism. In the past, it was known as a demanding training ground where women were prohibited from entering. Although the restriction has since been lifted, a traditional exception is observed during the annual Juhachiyama Eshiki ceremony on August 18. The event includes a major goma fire ritual, in which sacred wooden sticks are burned in prayer, and the traditional prohibition on women is reinstated for that day.
Sacred sites on the mountain
Mandaike Pond
Among the mountain’s historic places of spiritual practice is Mandaike Pond, located in front of a hermitage known as Nakanogo. The pond has traditionally been regarded as a sacred place associated with the religious training carried out on Mount Kotsu.
Nozoki-iwa Rock
Another notable site is Nozoki-iwa, or “Peeping Rock,” which stands above a steep cliff. It is associated with the severe mental and spiritual discipline practiced by Shugendo ascetics, who challenged themselves in demanding mountain environments. These sites continue to attract worshippers and visitors interested in the mountain’s religious traditions.
Kotsuji Temple
A historic center of mountain worship in Awa
Kotsuji Temple stands near the summit of Mount Kotsu in Yamakawa-cho, Yoshinogawa City. Its principal object of worship is Zao Gongen, also known as Kotsu Daigongen, a deity closely associated with Shugendo. A statue of Senju Kannon, the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva of Compassion, is also enshrined as an attendant figure.
The temple lies within the Dochū-Kōtsu Prefectural Natural Park and is surrounded by mountain scenery. Its secluded setting reflects the close relationship between religious practice and the natural environment that has defined Mount Kotsu for centuries.
The origins of Kotsuji Temple
The temple is traditionally attributed to En no Gyoja, although some details of its early history remain uncertain. An Edo-period document titled Manishu-zan Kotsuji Shiki records the tradition that En no Gyoja founded the temple and is an important source for its origin story.
Historical documents known as the Kawata Ryozo-in records indicate that by the Kamakura period, devotion to Mount Kotsu had spread throughout Awa Province, corresponding to present-day Tokushima Prefecture. The mountain had become the center of a wider network of Shugendo worship and practice.
The relationship with Inbe Shrine
Kotsuji Temple also has a longstanding connection with Inbe Shrine in Yamazaki, Yamakawa-cho. The shrine enshrines a guardian deity associated with the Awa Inbe clan, an ancient group known for its religious and ritual traditions.
Kotsuji served as the shrine’s associated Buddhist temple, or bettoji. Meetings between the temple and shrine were held twice a year, contributing to the development of a distinctive religious tradition known as Inbe Shugendo. This relationship illustrates how Buddhist mountain asceticism and local shrine worship became intertwined in the region.
Access to Mount Kotsu
By car
Mount Kotsu is approximately 50 minutes by car from Awa-Yamakawa Station on the JR Tokushima Line. From Wakimachi Interchange on the Tokushima Expressway, the journey to the foot of the mountain takes approximately 70 minutes.
Roads provide access toward the mountain’s upper areas, but some sections are steep and challenging. Visitors should check road and weather conditions before setting out and prepare carefully if they intend to hike.
Hiking precautions
Mount Kotsu has hiking routes suitable for beginner and intermediate hikers, although conditions can vary considerably with the season. In winter, snow and icy surfaces can make both walking trails and mountain roads hazardous. Appropriate footwear, warm clothing, sufficient supplies, and advance checks of local conditions are essential.
A serious accident occurred in 2014 when heavy snowfall led to the deaths of the head priest of Kotsuji Temple and a temple employee. This tragic incident highlights the risks posed by severe winter weather in the mountains. Visitors should avoid underestimating the conditions and should turn back if the route becomes unsafe.
Discover the natural beauty and spiritual heritage of Awa Fuji
With its graceful silhouette, far-reaching mountain views, and landscapes that transform with the seasons, Mount Kotsu is one of Tokushima’s memorable natural landmarks. Its status as one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Shikoku makes it appealing to hikers, particularly in spring and autumn.
The mountain’s significance extends beyond its scenery. Kotsuji Temple, Mandaike Pond, and Nozoki-iwa preserve the legacy of centuries of mountain worship and spiritual discipline. A visit offers an opportunity to experience the meeting of nature, history, and faith in a setting that remains deeply connected to the cultural heritage of Awa.