History and Religious Traditions
Mount Tsurugi has a long association with Shugendo, a Japanese mountain-based spiritual tradition that combines elements of Buddhism and ancient mountain worship. Its rugged slopes have served as places of religious training and contemplation for centuries.
Near the summit stands Tsurugisan Hongu Hozōseki Shrine, an important place of worship on the mountain. According to local legend, Emperor Antoku’s sword was buried at the summit and enshrined as a sacred object, giving the mountain its name, which means “Sword Mountain.” This story adds a layer of historical mystery to the mountain’s spiritual heritage.
Tsurugi Shrine and Otsurugi Shrine
At the main climbing base are Fujinoike Honbo Ryukoji Temple and Tsurugisan Hongu Tsurugi Shrine. Farther up the mountain, Nishijima Shrine and Otsurugi Shrine stand along the climbing routes. These sacred sites remain important destinations for worshippers and hikers alike.
Several sections of the mountain trails are known as gyoba, or places of ascetic practice. These challenging locations were traditionally used for spiritual training and reflect the close connection between Mount Tsurugi’s natural landscape and its religious history.
Nature and Wildlife on Mount Tsurugi
Mountain Forests and Native Plants
The upper slopes of Mount Tsurugi support cool-climate coniferous forests, including the Shikoku fir, a species characteristic of the region, as well as kometsuga and urajiro-momi fir. At elevations below approximately 1,000 meters, planted forests of Japanese cedar are more common. Higher up, mixed forests also include broadleaf trees such as Japanese beech and Erman’s birch.
The changing vegetation reflects the mountain’s range of elevations and creates a varied natural environment for hikers. Forests, open ridgelines, and summit grasslands offer different views of the surrounding Shikoku Mountains throughout the climbing season.
Yellow Rengeshoma Flowers
One of Mount Tsurugi’s botanical highlights is the colony of yellow rengeshoma, a distinctive flowering plant that typically reaches its best viewing period around late July. From the Matsukazematsu area, hikers can follow the branch of the trail leading toward the ascetic training grounds and descend a short distance to see the flowers.
For visitors interested in mountain plants, the flowering season offers a special reason to explore the area in summer. Blooming conditions vary from year to year, so the timing of a visit can affect what is visible along the trail.
Wildlife Conservation
The Mount Tsurugi region provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the Shikoku population of the Japanese black bear, which is listed by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as a threatened regional population. The area also faces ecological challenges caused by a rapid increase in sika deer. Heavy browsing can remove understory vegetation, affecting insects and small birds and contributing to concerns about the shrinking habitat of the Japanese robin.
To protect its wildlife and ecosystems, the area is included in the nationally designated Mount Tsurugi Mountain Range Wildlife Protection Area, classified as a large-scale habitat protection area. Visitors can help conserve this fragile environment by staying on established trails and following local guidance on wildlife and vegetation protection.
Hiking Mount Tsurugi
The Mount Tsurugi Chairlift
The mountain can be reached more easily with the Mount Tsurugi chairlift, which connects Minokoshi Station at an elevation of 1,420 meters with Nishijima Station at 1,750 meters. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes and operates from mid-April through the end of November.
After leaving the chairlift, hikers can choose from several routes to the summit. The Matsukazematsu ridge trail takes approximately 40 minutes, while the route passing Otsurugi Shrine takes around 60 minutes. These options allow visitors to enjoy the mountain scenery and sacred sites without having to climb the entire elevation from the trailhead on foot.
Hiking from Minokoshi
It is also possible to hike from Minokoshi without using the chairlift. From the free Minokoshi parking area, which accommodates approximately 200 vehicles, the trail begins beside the main building of Tsurugi Shrine. The walk to Nishijima Station takes about one hour.
Although Mount Tsurugi is accessible to a wide range of hikers, it is still a high mountain where weather can change quickly. Appropriate footwear, warm clothing, water, and preparation for changing conditions are important, even for visitors using the chairlift.
Continuing to Jiro-gyu and Ichinomori
Hikers who have time and energy to continue beyond the summit can visit nearby peaks. Jiro-gyu takes approximately one hour to reach from Mount Tsurugi’s summit, while Ichinomori is about 40 minutes away on foot.
Both destinations offer additional views across the Shikoku Mountains. The open ridgelines and broad mountain scenery make these extensions particularly appealing to hikers seeking a longer walk through the highlands.
How to Reach Mount Tsurugi
Driving to Minokoshi
Minokoshi, the main access point for Mount Tsurugi, can commonly be reached from Mima Interchange on the Tokushima Expressway. From the interchange, follow National Route 438 via the Sadamitsu Yu Yu-kan roadside station, then continue south along the Sadamitsu River. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Another possible approach is from the Iya Valley in Miyoshi City via National Route 439. Mountain roads in this region can be narrow and winding, and travel times may vary with weather and road conditions. Check current road information before setting out, particularly outside the main hiking season.
Mountain Huts and Accommodation
Mount Tsurugi Summit Hut
Mount Tsurugi Summit Hut provides accommodation for hikers near the summit. When the main hut is full, its annex, Unkai-so, may also be used. Staying overnight allows visitors to spend more time enjoying the mountain environment and, when conditions permit, the changing light over the surrounding peaks.
Ichinomori Hut
Near the summit of Ichinomori is Ichinomori Hut, another accommodation option popular with hikers. Those planning an overnight stay should confirm opening dates, availability, and reservation requirements in advance, as facilities in high mountain areas may operate seasonally.
Panoramic Views from the Summit
The summit area is known as Heike no Bamba, a broad stretch of grassland that offers an expansive view of the surrounding mountains. On clear days, the panorama can extend to the Seto Inland Sea, the Kii Peninsula, and Cape Muroto. Under exceptionally clear conditions, Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture may also be visible in the distance.
The open summit landscape is one of Mount Tsurugi’s greatest attractions. Unlike a summit enclosed by dense forest, this broad grassy area allows hikers to appreciate the scale of the surrounding mountain ranges and the vastness of the sky.
Mount Tsurugi’s Scenic and Cultural Significance
Mount Tsurugi is recognized among the scenic highlights of Tokushima and Shikoku, including selections such as the Shikoku 88 Views and Tokushima 88 Views. Its appeal lies in the combination of impressive mountain scenery, diverse natural habitats, and a spiritual tradition that has shaped the area for generations.
Visitors can enjoy a relatively accessible summit walk using the chairlift, explore the surrounding ridges on longer hikes, or discover the shrines and ascetic sites that reveal the mountain’s religious heritage. The seasonal flowers, forest ecosystems, and far-reaching views make Mount Tsurugi rewarding for both nature lovers and travelers interested in Japanese culture.
The Former Mount Tsurugi Weather Observatory
A weather observatory once stood near the summit of Mount Tsurugi. Established in 1943, it was automated in 1991 and discontinued in 2001. Some of the equipment and parts of the former facility remain, providing a glimpse into the history of weather observation in this remote mountain environment.
Discover the Spirit and Scenery of Mount Tsurugi
Mount Tsurugi brings together the natural beauty of the Shikoku Mountains and a rich history of mountain worship. From its 1,955-meter summit, hikers can enjoy sweeping views across western Japan, while the forests, seasonal flowers, and protected wildlife reveal the ecological importance of the surrounding landscape.
Whether you take the chairlift for a shorter hike, continue along the ridges toward Jiro-gyu and Ichinomori, or visit the shrines that have drawn worshippers for centuries, Mount Tsurugi offers a memorable mountain experience. It is one of Tokushima Prefecture’s defining destinations, where spectacular scenery and enduring spiritual traditions meet.