A Unique Scenic Road in Shikoku
Tsunomine Skyline is currently the only general toll road in Tokushima Prefecture and, following the removal of tolls on the Yashima Driveway, the only road of its kind in Shikoku. Managed by Tsunomine Kanko, it provides convenient vehicle access to the mountain shrine, turning what was once a roughly 40-minute uphill journey on foot into a drive of about 10 minutes.
The road is reserved for motor vehicles. Signs indicating vehicle-only access are posted approximately 200 meters before the tollgate. Pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles with engine capacities of 125 cc or less are prohibited from using the road.
History of Tsunomine Skyline
The road was developed by Tsunomine Kanko, originally with the intention of transferring it to Anan City after completion. However, in 1966, annual maintenance costs were estimated at ¥3–4 million, and the city declined the transfer. The road therefore came to be operated as a toll road.
Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on April 29, 1966. The project cost ¥274.7 million and created a road measuring 3,450 meters in length and 7.5 meters in width. Tsunomine Skyline officially opened on August 1, 1967, greatly improving access to the mountain and its shrine.
Cherry Blossoms and Panoramic Views
Tsunomine Skyline is also known as a cherry blossom destination. In spring, approximately 2,000 cherry trees bloom along the mountain, creating a beautiful setting for a scenic drive. At the observation area near the summit, the landscape opens toward the south, east, and north. The southern view is particularly impressive, overlooking Tachibana Bay, celebrated as “Awa’s Matsushima.”
The combination of flowering cherry trees, wooded slopes, and expansive sea views makes the road especially appealing in spring, although the coastal scenery can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Toll Fees and Opening Hours
The listed tolls are ¥600 for standard passenger cars, kei cars, and small vehicles; ¥400 for motorcycles; ¥2,400 for chartered buses; and ¥1,500 for minibuses. Bus and minibus fares are listed as round-trip rates.
The road’s stated operating hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The route begins in Minobayashi-cho, Anan City, and ends near the summit of Mount Tsunomine in Higashibun, Tsunomine-cho. The road itself is 3,450 meters long.
Mount Tsunomine
A Mountain Overlooking Tachibana Bay
Mount Tsunomine, standing 284 meters above sea level in Anan City, is one of the Three Peaks of Awa, together with Mount Hinoyama and Mount Nakatsumine. Its summit offers attractive views of Tachibana Bay and the surrounding coastline.
Tsunomine Skyline climbs toward the mountain’s eighth station, providing access to the upper slopes by car. A lift also serves the summit area. It was suspended in 2007 after safety concerns were identified, then resumed operation on November 1, 2010, following renovation work. A former National Youth Hostel near the end of the skyline is no longer operated as a public accommodation facility and is now used as lodging for training activities.
The mountain’s highest point is near the main sanctuary of Tsunomine Shrine. The triangulation point, however, is located east of the parking area at the end of the skyline and has an elevation of 247.1 meters.
Tsunomine Shrine
An Ancient Shrine for Longevity and Safe Travel
Tsunomine Shrine stands near the summit of Mount Tsunomine and is revered as a guardian of longevity and traffic safety. It is an officially recognized shrine with a history dating back more than 1,300 years.
Deities Enshrined
The principal deity is Kashiwahime-no-Okami, worshipped for good fortune, longevity, recovery from illness, and safety at sea. Oyama-tsumi-no-Okami is also enshrined alongside the principal deity.
History and Religious Significance
According to shrine tradition, Tsunomine Shrine was founded in 724, during the Nara period. Following a divine revelation, Kashiwahime-no-Mikoto was enshrined at the summit of Mount Tsunomine. The shrine is recorded in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, an important historical register of shrines, under the name Kashiwahime Shrine in Naka District of Awa Province.
During the medieval period, influential figures including Hosokawa Yoriyuki and Miyoshi Nagayoshi are said to have shown deep devotion to the shrine. It was destroyed during the invasion of Awa by Chosokabe Motochika in the Tensho era. The Hachisuka family, who later ruled Awa, subsequently revered the shrine as a guardian of their domain and prayed for the prosperity of their family.
The shrine buildings collapsed during the 1946 Nankai Earthquake but were later rebuilt. Today, the grounds include the main sanctuary, offering hall, worship hall, a subsidiary shrine dedicated to Tsunomine Kotoshironushi, a talisman office, a priests’ residence, and other facilities.
Kashiwahime Shrine at the Foot of the Mountain
At the foot of Mount Tsunomine is another shrine dedicated to Kashiwahime-no-Mikoto. Known as Kashiwahime Shrine, it is considered an external shrine of Minokata Hachiman Shrine and is traditionally regarded as the deity’s original place of worship. According to local tradition, the deity was later transferred to the mountaintop at the request of worshippers, while a small shrine remained at the original site.
Annual Festivals and Ceremonies
Tsunomine Shrine holds religious ceremonies throughout the year. Major observances include the New Year’s Festival on January 1, the Kigensai ceremony on February 11, and the spring and autumn grand festivals featuring Daidai Kagura sacred dances on April 17–18 and September 19.
The Cherry Blossom Festival takes place on April 3 and features traditional activities such as throwing longevity rice cakes and a rice-cake offering competition. Other observances include the summer purification ceremony on June 30 and the Niiname-sai harvest thanksgiving festival on November 23.
Access
The usual approach to Tsunomine Shrine is by taxi from Minobayashi Station on the JR Mugi Line. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes. Visitors driving to the shrine can use Tsunomine Skyline, a scenic toll road that leads toward the mountain summit.
For travelers exploring southern Tokushima, Tsunomine Skyline offers an easy way to combine a coastal drive, seasonal cherry blossoms, panoramic views, and a visit to a historic Shinto shrine. The mountain’s elevated outlook over Tachibana Bay makes it a rewarding stop for anyone interested in the region’s natural scenery and spiritual heritage.