Mt Tsurugi 剣山 is easily the most well known hike in the Iya Valley. The climb offers an accessible way to experience the peaks of Shikoku, featuring an optional single “pizza box” chairlift and the iconic “sasa” bamboo grass ridgelines that Shikoku is famous for.
Overview
This short 2.5km chair-lift assist day hike to Mt Tsurugi 剣山 will take 2 hours return with 244m of elevation gain. It is most accessible if you are coming from the Tokushima side; however, it’s quite the drive if you’re planning to travel through the whole valley from Oboke. If that’s your plan, I wouldn’t suggest trying to squeeze this into a single day like us. Better to stay or camp overnight.
Access
Trailhead: Mt Tsurugi Chairlift
Suggested Meeting Point: Boke Mart (or the convenience store in Oboke). If coming from Tokushima City way – like Marunaka Sadamitsu.
Travel time: By car: 1.5 hours from Oboke (assume you will take longer), 1hr 10 from Tsurugi-cho (part of greater Tokushima City)
Mt Tsurugi 剣山 Trail Information
Hike time: 2 hours return or less
Season: Summer (June)
Difficulty: Fitness (Grade 1: Easy) Technical (Grade 1: Easy)
Safety Notes: Don’t miss the chairlift back if you’re on a deadline. Cold weather, typhoons and rain are worth keeping an eye on.
Download and print the trail map
App or map? While many rely on navigation apps these days I strongly recommend printing a copy of your hike maps using one of the free topographic map services.
Post Hike Report
After a long drive through the valley we arrived at the base of the mountain around lunchtime. The live cameras indicated it was going to be foggy at the top, but having traveled this far, we decided to push on. We were also here with some guests who’d only be around for a few days and wanted to cross this off our lists.
The chairlift ride is an adventure in itself… like the “pizza box” lifts in Niseko… these single chairs feel a little sketchy but save you over half the elevation gain. If you choose to skip the lift, expect to add about one hour and 300m steady climbing to your ascent. The trailhead for those that wish to hike the whole way starts at the Tsurugi Shrine (pictured at the bottom).
Setting off from the top lift station, the trail zig-zags up through the very green summery forest. We soon caught up to a bokka – a traditional mountain porter carrying a load of supplies up to the hut on his back. Which I happen to find a very cool profession.
Even with the clouds well set in, the glimpses of the surrounding valleys were a beautiful sight. The contrast of ancient sugi trees with concrete landslide repairs and roads below to me is truly what modern Japan, a little Mono no aware 物の哀れ, and typical too of the Iya Valley. Post-chairlift, the pace of this hike is pretty steady the whole way along… there are no sudden steep sections or saddles to worry about.
As you approach the summit, you’ll find a torii gate signifying the entrance to a holy place, the as well as bokka-san’s destination – the Tsurugi Chojo Hutte. It’s a well established yamagoya where you can stay overnight or grab a meal and a beer. The summit area features boardwalks to protect the vegetation, reflecting how popular this peak. I can imagine it would be pumping on Golden Week!
Unfortunately, the view at the top wasn’t the best for us due to the thick fog and this doesn’t do the mountain the justice it deserves. On a clear day, I’d highly recommend the ridgeline trip across to Mt Jirogyu, but we weren’t motivated to push into the white-out… it was also a little bit chilly even in peak summer due to the wind. We spent some time snacking near the shrines and exploring the buildings before heading back down. More photos of the summit at the bottom of this report.
Returning back down is very straight forward, so I wont go into details. Just make sure you don’t miss the last chairlift of you’ll be walking. The ride back down is itself is more fun than up, and we were grateful for the shops at the bottom as we found a spot selling piping hot udon beforeour two hour drive back. We stopped in at the Oku-Kazurabashi Vine Bridges on the way… which are much cooler than the ones most people go to!
My thoughts on Tsurugi and its popularity? If you’re looking for an accessible hike to see the Shikoku peaks without having brought hiking gear (or a car, as there are seasonal buses), this is a great choice for you. I wouldn’t suggest bringing younger kids on the single chairlift unless they are confident, as there are no safety bars. However for those seeking a more adventurous or wild day out, I’d personally suggest nearby Iya Valley hikes like Mt Miune or Mt Kanbo.
More photos of Mt Tsurugi 剣山
