Mt. Tsurugi (剣山)

Mount Tsurugi (剣山 Tsurugi-san) is the highest peak in Tokushima Prefecture at 1,955 meters. One of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan, it is a symbol of Shikoku’s mountain landscape. The summit plateau offers sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and the Seto Inland Sea on clear days, and the mountain is also known for its alpine flora and mystical atmosphere rooted in mountain worship.

The main trailhead is the Minokoshi (見ノ越) bus stop. Two seasonal bus routes serve Minokoshi: the Ikeda Route via Awa-Ikeda and Oboke stations, and the Sadamitsu Route via Sadamitsu Station. Both routes operate roughly from mid-April to mid-November (weekends, holidays, and daily during peak periods). A sightseeing chairlift (Tsurugi-san Tourist Lift, approx. 15 min) runs from Minokoshi to the Nishijima plateau.

Approximate hiking time from Minokoshi to the summit is about 1 hour 20 minutes.

*Timetable last checked: [sc name=”updated_date”][/sc]

Map

Map

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1. [Going] Awa-Ikeda Sta. → Oboke Sta. → Minokoshi (Ikeda / Higashi-Iya Route)

Take the Shikoku Kotsu Iya Line bus from JR Dosan Line Awa-Ikeda Station (Ikeda Bus Terminal) or JR Oboke Station to Kubo. At Kubo, transfer to the Miyoshi City Community Bus (Higashi-Iya Nagoro Line, bound for Tsurugisan) to Minokoshi.

Travel time: approx. 2 hours 55 minutes from Awa-Ikeda Sta.
Fare: Awa-Ikeda BT → Minokoshi ¥3,170 | Oboke Sta. → Minokoshi ¥2,620
Operating period: approx. mid-April to late November (weekends, holidays + daily during peak season)

Timetable: Awa-Ikeda / Oboke → Minokoshi

2. [Going] Sadamitsu Sta. → Minokoshi (Sadamitsu Route)

Take the Gurutto Tsurugisan Climbing Bus (operated by Tsurugi Town) direct from JR Tokushima Line Sadamitsu Station to Minokoshi. Two services per day.

Travel time: approx. 1 hour 34 min – 1 hour 55 min
Fare: Sadamitsu Sta. → Minokoshi ¥3,000 (one way, cash only)
Operating period: mid-April to mid-November, weekends and holidays (no service in June) + daily during Obon

Timetable: Sadamitsu Sta. → Minokoshi

3. [Return] Minokoshi → Awa-Ikeda Sta. (Ikeda / Higashi-Iya Route)

Take the Miyoshi City Community Bus from Minokoshi to Kubo, then transfer to the Shikoku Kotsu Iya Line bus to Oboke Station and on to Awa-Ikeda Station (Ikeda BT).

Travel time: approx. 3 hours
Fare: Minokoshi → Awa-Ikeda BT ¥3,170 | Minokoshi → Oboke Sta. ¥2,620

Timetable: Minokoshi → Awa-Ikeda Sta.

4. [Return] Minokoshi → Sadamitsu Sta. (Sadamitsu Route)

Take the Gurutto Tsurugisan Climbing Bus direct to Sadamitsu Station (2 services per day).

Travel time: approx. 1 hour 50 min – 2 hours 1 min
Fare: Minokoshi → Sadamitsu Sta. ¥3,000 (one way, cash only)

Timetable: Minokoshi → Sadamitsu Sta.