Mount Tsurugi (Tokushima) Mountain

Steep Tokushima mountain, one of Japan's famous peaks

On Shikoku island, Mount Tsurugi draws pilgrims and hikers along forested trails past shrines to a rocky summit used in local religious practice.

Main image
Enpukuji20220528 1.jpg
Mount Tsurugi Relief Map, SRTM-1.jpg
Torii du mont Tsurugi.jpg
Tsurugisan goshinsui.jpg
TSURUGISAN-NANMEN.JPG
TSURUGISAN-SUMMIT.JPG
Tsurugiyama-meteorological -station.jpg
Turugijinja 01.jpg
Turugisan 01.jpg
Turugisan 04.jpg
Address
Mount Tsurugi (Tokushima Prefecture), Shikoku, Japan
33.85478, 134.09549
Hours
Open 24 hours (no managed facilities)
Admission
Free (trail access); winter ropes and safety gear may be required.

Mount Tsurugi in Tokushima Prefecture (剣山, Tsurugi-san) is a prominent peak on the island of Shikoku known for its broad highland and alpine plant communities. It is one of the island’s highest mountains and a long-standing destination for hikers.

Marked trails and developed paths lead to the summit area, which is accessible for day hikes; seasonal wildflowers and autumn colours are local highlights. The summit area includes established facilities and viewpoints used by visitors.

The mountain is a natural geographic feature long used by local communities for seasonal routes and, in modern times, recreational hiking. It has no single founding event but has been shaped into a managed recreational area with maintained trails.

The peak sits in Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku island, forming part of a highland plateau and upland massif that dominates the prefecture’s interior and is reachable from regional towns and roads.

  • Regional significance: One of Shikoku's highest peaks and a notable highland of Tokushima Prefecture, popular for hiking and seasonal alpine flora.

How to Get to Mount Tsurugi (Tokushima)#

From Tokushima city, take local buses to the trailhead areas; final approaches are on foot via marked pilgrim paths. Check bus schedules and local guides for up-to-date access information.

Tips for Visiting Mount Tsurugi (Tokushima)#

  • If attempting in spring, carry avalanche safety equipment and know snowpack conditions.
  • Trailheads are reachable by local buses from Tokushima city; confirm seasonal schedules in advance.
  • The mountain is visited by pilgrims and hikers-respect trail etiquette and local shrines.

Best Time to Visit Mount Tsurugi (Tokushima)#

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for access and clear views; winter routes require technical preparation.

Autumn (September-November)
Sep-Nov · 5-18°C (41-64°F)
Cool, clear weather and fall foliage-an excellent time to visit.
Spring (April-June)
Apr-Jun · 8-20°C (46-68°F)
Wildflowers and milder temperatures; some pilgrims favor spring climbs.

Weather & Climate near Mount Tsurugi (Tokushima)#

Climate

Mount Tsurugi (Tokushima)'s climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 19°C. Heavy rainfall (2624 mm/year), wettest in July.

Best Time to Visit
AugustSeptemberJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-10° -3°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -9°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-9° -2°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (161 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-6°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

161 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
11.9h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (238 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

238 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
12.9h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (272 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

272 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
13.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Heavy rain (401 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
15°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

401 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
14.2h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 14°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (402 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
14° 19°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

402 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.0h daylight

August

August is cool with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (309 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
14° 19°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

309 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.2h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Heavy rain (309 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 16°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

309 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (176 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

176 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
11.2h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

110 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.3h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-7°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight