Worshipped
as a god, Shikoku's second highest peak is a verdant mountain offering a gentle
ascent
This
iconic peak in the heart of Tokushima is ranked among
Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, and is popular for both short trips to the summit
as well as longer, more undulating ridge hikes to neighboring mountains.
Quick
Facts
Mt.
Tsurugi, meaning "sword mountain," is the second highest mountain in
western Japan
The
mountain is an important center for Shugendo ascetics
How
to Get There
From
major cities on the main island of Honshu, numerous express buses depart for
Tokushima Station. Once in Tokushima, the easiest way to access Mt. Tsurugi is
to rent a car, as public transport options are few.
If
you do decide to take public transport, you can take a bus from Awa Ikeda
Station to Kubo, then transfer to another bus bound for Mi-no-Koshi and get off
at the final bus stop near the lower chairlift station. Note that the bus only
operates on the weekends and holidays between April and November.
Shikoku's
popular hike
At
1,955 meters high, Mt. Tsurugi is the second highest mountain in western Japan
and also the second highest on the island of Shikoku after Mt. Ishizuchi in Ehime
Prefecture .
A
spiritual pilgrimage site
The
gently sloping shape of the mountain's summit, which resembles the curvature of
a traditional sword, is the origin of the name of the mountain which literally
means “sword mountain” in Japanese. The mountain is an important center for
practitioners of Shugendo, an esoteric Japanese religion that draws on both
Shintoism and Buddhism with an emphasis on mountain worship. You may hear the
echoing of a conch shell being blown by a practitioner.
Breathtaking
vistas
The
mountain opens to climbers in April, but if hiking is not your cup of tea, a
ride on a single-seat chairlift will whisk you to a spot just a 30-minute walk
away from the summit. Once there you will encounter a shrine and mountain huts,
and if you are lucky enough to be visiting on a clear day, views open out to
the Pacific Ocean, Seto Inland Sea and as far away as the Kii Peninsula on the
main island of Honshu.
Exploring
the peaks of Tokushima
If
you are not satisfied climbing to the summit of Mt. Tsurugi alone, you can
continue along the ridge trails out to neighboring peaks including Jirogyu,
Miune, and Tenguzuka.
On
to the Iya Valley
Tsurugi
lies at the eastern end of the lovely and remote Iya Valley , and it is well worth
combining a visit here to enjoy its hot springs, scenery, and rustic vine
bridges.
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