Mt Tsurugi Hike: The Easy Lift Route from Minokoshi, Jirogyu Ridge, Summit Hut and How to Get There

Quick answer: Mt Tsurugi (剣山, 1,955 m) is the second-highest peak in western Japan, and one of the easier high mountains to climb: a chairlift from Minokoshi (¥2,300 return) takes you most of the way up, and the summit is about 40 minutes’ walk from the top station on the shortest trail. The lift and the summit hut run from mid-April to the end of November, and the mountain roads close in winter from late December — so if you’re reading this in late autumn, plan for next spring. You really need a car.

I’ve been up Mt Tsurugi a few times, taking the lift from Minokoshi and walking from the top of the lift to the summit. I haven’t stayed at the summit hut, walked on to Jirogyu or hiked all the way up without the lift, so those parts are what I’ve researched.

Why climb Mt Tsurugi?

Mt Tsurugi is in the mountains of western Tokushima, between the Iya Valley and Tsurugi Town. It’s one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains and part of a quasi-national park. The trailhead at Minokoshi (見ノ越) is already at about 1,400 m, and with the lift, the walking is short — a rare chance to stand on a high Japanese summit without a long climb.

The lift from Minokoshi

The Tsurugisan tourist lift runs from Minokoshi Station (about 1,420 m) to Nishijima Station (西島, about 1,750 m), 830 m long and about 15 minutes.

Fare change: many English pages still show ¥1,900 return. That’s out of date — the current fare is ¥2,300. Older listings say the lift takes cash only, so bring cash. Check the exact closing date for the season before you go.

From the top of the lift to the summit

From Nishijima there are three main trails:

Allow about 1½–2½ hours for the round trip from the lift, plus time at the top.

Without the lift

The walking trail starts beside Tsurugi Shrine (劔神社) next to the Minokoshi car park. Minokoshi to Nishijima on foot takes about 40–50 minutes, and a round trip from Minokoshi to the summit without the lift is about 2½–3 hours.

Jirogyu ridge

From the summit, a ridge trail continues to Jirogyu (次郎笈), the neighbouring peak — about 1 hour each way, adding 1½–2 hours to your day. A full day from Minokoshi to Mt Tsurugi and Jirogyu and back takes about 5–5½ hours.

The ridge is open bamboo grass with no shelter, so it’s exposed to wind and fog. Only go in settled weather and with time to spare.

The summit hut

Tsurugisan Chōjō Hutte (剣山頂上ヒュッテ) is a privately run hut just below the summit.

• Season: late April to the end of November.
• Rates (as reported in 2026): about ¥13,000 with dinner and breakfast, ¥9,000 room only, about ¥1,000 more from October. Confirm when you book.
• Booking: by phone (080-2997-8482, Japanese). Book ahead.
• Day hikers use it as a toilet stop. Water is pumped up from far below, so use it sparingly.

Shrines on the mountain

• Tsurugi Shrine (劔神社) at Minokoshi marks the start of the trail.
• Ōtsurugi Shrine (大剣神社), below the summit, sits beneath a tall rock pinnacle. Nearby is the sacred spring (剣山御神水), listed as one of Japan’s 100 exquisite waters. The 1,200 m trail passes both.

Getting there by car

• R438 is a long, single-lane mountain road with few passing places. Roads sometimes close for works — check the Tokushima Prefecture road map (it has an English tab).
• Parking is free — the first car park is next to the lift, with more a short walk away. Don’t park on the road.
• Minokoshi has toilets, shops, restaurants and the Mt Tsurugi Tourism Center (information, coffee and craft beer).

See Driving in Rural Shikoku before you go, and Renting a Car in Shikoku.

By bus (seasonal)

In summer and autumn the “Gurutto Tsurugisan” climbing bus runs. Remaining 2026 runs as of 1 November:

• From JR Sadamitsu Station: weekends and holidays until 15 November. Arrives at Minokoshi 9:24; last bus down 13:45. ¥3,000 one way, cash.
• From Awa-Ikeda / JR Oboke: daily until 3 November, then weekends and holidays 7–23 November. ¥3,170 from Ikeda, ¥2,620 from Oboke.

By bus you only get about 2–4 hours on the mountain, so take the lift. After the last run there’s no bus until next summer.

Winter: closed until spring

• The lift and hut close at the end of November and stay closed until spring.
• According to the West Tokushima tourism site, R438 closes at night from late December, then all day from early January to 31 March; R492 is closed all day from late December to 31 March. Check exact dates.
• In winter you’d need a 4WD with snow tyres. For most visitors, plan for mid-April onwards.

What to bring and the weather

• Rainwear and warm layers — weather changes quickly. As a rough guide, it’s about 6 °C cooler for every 1,000 m, so the summit can be well over 10 °C colder than the coast.
• Proper hiking shoes, water and snacks.
• Start early, use the toilets before you set off, and consider submitting a climbing plan and taking out mountaineering insurance.
• Autumn colours peak in early to mid-October. Watch for ticks from April to September.

To start early, stay the night before in the Iya Valley. See also: Iya Valley and Oboke Guide, Deep Iya (Oku-Iya) Guide and, on the R438 side, Handa Somen and Tsurugi Town.

FAQ

How long does it take to climb Mt Tsurugi?
With the lift, about 40 minutes up from the top station on the shortest trail (about 1½–2½ hours round trip). Without the lift, about 2½–3 hours from Minokoshi and back.

How much is the lift?
¥2,300 return or ¥1,300 one way for adults. Older pages saying ¥1,900 are out of date.

Can I climb in winter?
The lift and hut close at the end of November, and the access roads close in winter. Plan for mid-April onwards.

Can I get there without a car?
Only on the seasonal climbing bus (weekends until mid/late November in 2026), which leaves just a few hours at the mountain.

Lift fares and hours, routes, roads and bus times checked on the official West Tokushima (Nishi-Awa) tourism, Tokushima Prefecture and Forestry Agency websites on 1 November 2026; hut rates and some walking times from 2026 hiking guides.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.