Mount Tsurugi (Tsurugi-san), rising to 1,955 metres above the Iya Valley, is the second-highest peak in Shikoku and one of Japan’s revered sacred mountains, long a site of mountain worship. Unusually for such a high peak, it is remarkably accessible: a chairlift carries you much of the way up, from where a well-marked trail of around 40 minutes leads to the summit. In contrast to its rocky lower slopes, the top is a broad, gentle ridge covered in grass and low bamboo, laid with boardwalks to protect the alpine plants, opening to sweeping 360-degree panoramas over range after range of Shikoku’s mountains. Cool and refreshing in summer and ablaze with colour in autumn, Tsurugi offers big-mountain scenery with an easy climb, making it one of Shikoku’s most rewarding heights.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Iya Valley, Tokushima |
| Hours | Chairlift & trail daytime, seasonal |
| Admission | Chairlift fare; trail free |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time | Summer green; autumn colour (Apr–Nov) |
What to See & Do
- Shikoku’s second-highest peak (1,955 m).
- A chairlift and easy 40-minute summit trail.
- A grassy summit ridge with boardwalks and alpine plants.
- 360° panoramas over Shikoku’s mountains.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with the Iya Valley and Oboke Gorge .
- Pair with the Kazurabashi vine bridge below.
- Read our Tokushima overview .
Getting There
- By car: to the chairlift base high in the mountains.
- By bus: seasonal buses reach the trailhead area.
Tips
Take the chairlift to save the steepest climb, then follow the easy summit trail, which suits most fitness levels in good weather. Come between spring and autumn as the chairlift and access are seasonal, bring a warm layer as the summit is cool even in summer, and combine it with the deep Iya Valley and vine bridge below by car.
