Exploring Mount Tsunomine
Tsunomine Skyline
The Tsunomine Skyline is a 3.7-kilometer toll road that climbs to the mountain’s eighth station, making the area accessible by car. Near the end of the road, a former national lodging facility is now used as accommodation for training activities and is no longer open as a regular public lodging establishment.
A lift also provides access toward the summit. It was temporarily suspended in 2007 after concerns arose about its compliance with safety standards. Following renovation work, service resumed on November 1, 2010. Visitors should confirm current operating conditions before planning to use the lift.
The Summit and Its Views
The mountain’s highest point is near the main sanctuary of Tsumine Shrine. A separate triangulation point lies on the eastern peak, just beyond the parking area at the end of the skyline road, at an elevation of 247.1 meters.
From the upper slopes, the landscape opens toward Tachibana Bay, where the coastline and surrounding hills create a striking panorama. The views make this a worthwhile stop for travelers exploring Anan and the wider Awa region.
Tsumine Shrine
A Historic Shrine Dedicated to Longevity and Safe Travel
Tsumine Shrine stands near the summit of Mount Tsunomine and is one of the mountain’s principal attractions. It is a shrine with a long history of worship, particularly among fishermen, sailors, and people whose work involves travel and transportation. The shrine is revered as a guardian of longevity, good fortune, and safety on the road and at sea.
Tsumine Shrine is also known as one of the venues for the traditional festivals regarded as the Three Great Festivals of Awa, alongside Oasahiko Shrine in Naruto and Ninomiya Hachiman Shrine in Kamiyama, Myozai District.
Deities of the Shrine
The principal deity enshrined at Tsumine Shrine is Kashiwahime-no-Okami, with Oyama-tsumi-no-Okami worshipped alongside the main deity. Kashiwahime-no-Okami is associated with good fortune, longevity, recovery from illness, and safety at sea.
The shrine grounds also contain a subsidiary shrine dedicated to Ebisu-no-Okami, one of the deities associated with the Seven Gods of Good Fortune in Awa tradition.
A History Dating Back to the Nara Period
According to shrine tradition, Kashiwahime-no-Mikoto was enshrined on the summit of Mount Tsunomine in 724, following a divine revelation. The shrine is also mentioned in the Engishiki Jinmyōchō, a Heian-period register of Shinto shrines, under the name Kashiwahime Shrine in Naka District of Awa Province.
The shrine is said to have been rebuilt by members of the Imbe clan. During the medieval period, prominent figures including Hosokawa Yoriyuki and Miyoshi Nagayoshi reportedly worshipped there.
The shrine was destroyed by fire during the invasion of Awa by Chōsokabe Motochika in the late 16th century. It was subsequently rebuilt under the patronage of the Hachisuka family, rulers of Awa Province. After suffering further damage in the 1946 Nankai earthquake, the shrine was rebuilt once again. In 1950, it was included in the special list of shrines maintained by the Association of Shinto Shrines.
Shrine Buildings and Grounds
The shrine complex includes a large torii gate, the main sanctuary, an offering hall, a worship hall, the subsidiary Tsunomine Kotoshironushi Shrine, an office for distributing talismans, a purification area, and administrative and ceremonial facilities. Together, these buildings form a place of worship that reflects the shrine’s enduring role in the spiritual life of the region.
Kashiwahime Shrine at the Foot of the Mountain
At the foot of Mount Tsunomine stands Kashiwahime Shrine, also dedicated to Kashiwahime-no-Mikoto. According to local tradition, this was the deity’s original place of worship before the shrine was moved to the mountaintop. A small sanctuary remains at the original site.
In 1952, much of the shrine’s grounds was provided to the city for the construction of a childcare facility. When the facility relocated in 1988, the original shrine grounds were returned. A new shrine building was completed in 1990, preserving the site’s religious significance.
Annual Festivals and Ceremonies
Tsumine Shrine holds ceremonies throughout the year, reflecting the seasonal rhythms of Japanese Shinto practice. Major observances include the New Year’s Festival on January 1, the National Foundation Day ceremony on February 11, a spring imperial ancestral rites observance around the spring equinox, the Cherry Blossom Festival on April 3, the spring grand festival and sacred kagura performances on April 17 and 18, a purification ceremony on June 30, the traditional Shichi-Go-San celebration for children in November, and year-end purification and New Year’s Eve ceremonies on December 31.
The Cherry Blossom Festival
One of the shrine’s most distinctive events is the Cherry Blossom Festival in April. A traditional mochi-lifting competition is held in separate divisions for children, women, and men. Participants lift a large round rice cake placed on a ceremonial stand and carry it around a sumo ring. The unusual spectacle is a highlight for visitors interested in local customs and traditional festivals.
Access to Mount Tsunomine
By Car
The mountain is located at 343 Higashibun, Tsunomine-cho, Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture. Driving is a convenient way to reach the area, as the Tsunomine Skyline climbs to the eighth station.
A parking area at the eighth station accommodates approximately 250 vehicles. From there, visitors can climb around 300 stone steps to reach the shrine or use the pilgrimage lift when it is operating. Walking routes are also available for those who would like to enjoy the mountain’s natural surroundings on foot.
Discover the Natural and Cultural Beauty of Anan
Mount Tsunomine offers a memorable combination of coastal scenery, mountain air, and centuries of religious tradition. The views over Tachibana Bay provide a beautiful backdrop, while Tsumine Shrine offers a deeper connection to the region’s history and its long-standing prayers for longevity, good fortune, and safe travel.
For travelers exploring southern Tokushima, a visit to the mountain is an opportunity to enjoy both nature and local culture in one destination. Take the scenic road, explore the shrine grounds, or follow the stone steps toward the summit to experience one of Anan’s most distinctive landmarks.