Mt. Tsurugi

Mt. Tsurugi (剣山) is a 1,955m peak in Tokushima Prefecture — the highest peak in the prefecture. One of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, its gently sloped summit area spreads a grassland of Miyama Kumazasa, with the appeal of a scene like a heavenly otherworld. It is one of the representative peaks of Shikoku. Using the climbing chairlift, you can easily reach the summit in about 1 hour.
From Awa-Ikeda Station or Sadamitsu Station on the JR Dosan Line, take a bus to the Minokoshi Trailhead.

This page introduces train and bus access to one of the Mt. Tsurugi trailheads, the Minokoshi bus stop.
From Minokoshi bus stop, the Mt. Tsurugi climbing chairlift is also available.
Reference: Mt. Tsurugi Sightseeing Climbing Chairlift

This page organizes public-transport access (train + local bus) to Minokoshi bus stop, one of the main Mt. Tsurugi trailheads, based on the latest information. To Minokoshi, two bus routes exist — via Awa-Ikeda Station (Ikeda route) and via Sadamitsu Station (Sadamitsu route) — and both are seasonal. From Minokoshi, the Mt. Tsurugi Sightseeing Climbing Chairlift (Minokoshi to Nishijima, about 15 minutes) is also available.

Reference:
Tokushima Prefecture Tourist Information (Mt. Tsurugi Sightseeing Climbing Chairlift)

*Timetable last checked: May 17, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Awa-Ikeda Station → Minokoshi (Ikeda Higashi-Iya route)
2. [Outbound] Sadamitsu Station → Minokoshi (Sadamitsu Ichiu route)
3. [Return] Minokoshi → Awa-Ikeda Station (Ikeda Higashi-Iya route)
4. [Return] Minokoshi → Sadamitsu Station (Sadamitsu Ichiu route)

1. [Outbound] Awa-Ikeda Station → Oboke Station → Minokoshi (Ikeda / Higashi-Iya route)

From JR Dosan Line Awa-Ikeda Station (Ikeda Bus Terminal) or JR Oboke Station, take the Shikoku Kotsu Iya Line to Kubo.
At Kubo, transfer to the Miyoshi City Bus (Higashi-Iya Nagoro Line, bound for Mt. Tsurugi) and head to Minokoshi.
Travel time: about 2 hours 55 minutes from Awa-Ikeda Station
Fare: Awa-Ikeda BT → Minokoshi ¥3,170 | Oboke Station → Minokoshi ¥2,620
Operating period: Sat/Sun/holidays from April 18 – November 23, 2026; daily operation (4/18 – 5/6 / 7/4 – 8/31 / 10/1 – 11/3)

Bus TimetableAwa-Ikeda Station to Minokoshi Time Connection Table

Reference:
Shikoku Kotsu: Iya Line Timetable (Awa-Ikeda BT / Oboke Station → Kubo) /
Miyoshi City: Kazura Bridge / Mt. Tsurugi Bus Operating Quick Reference (PDF)

2. [Outbound] Sadamitsu Station → Minokoshi (Sadamitsu Ichiu route)

From JR Tokushima Line Sadamitsu Station, take the Gurutto Mt. Tsurugi Climbing Bus (operated by Tsurugi Town) directly to Minokoshi.
2 services per day.
Travel time: about 1 hour 34 minutes – 1 hour 55 minutes
Fare: Sadamitsu Station → Minokoshi ¥3,000 (one way, cash only)
Operating period: Sat/Sun/holidays from April 18 – May 31 / July 4 – November 15, 2026 (closed in June), daily during Obon (8/8 – 8/16) + daily during Obon

Bus TimetableSadamitsu Station to Minokoshi

Reference: Tsurugi Town: FY2026 Mt. Tsurugi Climbing Bus

3. [Return] Minokoshi → Awa-Ikeda Station (Ikeda Higashi-Iya route)

From Minokoshi, take the Miyoshi City Bus down to Kubo, transfer to the Shikoku Kotsu Iya Line, and return via Oboke Station to Awa-Ikeda Station (Ikeda BT).
Travel time: about 3 hours
Fare: Minokoshi → Awa-Ikeda BT ¥3,170 | Minokoshi → Oboke Station ¥2,620

Bus TimetableMinokoshi to Awa-Ikeda Station Time Connection Table

Reference:
Miyoshi City: Kazura Bridge / Mt. Tsurugi Bus Operating Quick Reference (PDF)
Shikoku Kotsu: Iya Line Timetable (Kubo → Oboke Station → Awa-Ikeda BT)
Minokoshi departure/arrival times (Sadamitsu / Ikeda 2-route list / PDF)

4. [Return] Minokoshi → Sadamitsu Station (Sadamitsu Ichiu route)

Return to Sadamitsu Station via the direct Gurutto Mt. Tsurugi Climbing Bus (2 services per day).
Travel time: about 1 hour 50 minutes – 2 hours 1 minute
Fare: Minokoshi → Sadamitsu Station ¥3,000 (one way, cash only)

Reference: Tsurugi Town: FY2026 Mt. Tsurugi Climbing Bus (timetable / fare PDF available)

Bus TimetableMinokoshi to Sadamitsu Station

Photo by Wikipedia