Mt Tsurugi Hikes
+ Deep Iya Tour
Climb a legend
At 1955m, Mt Tsurugi is the Iya Valley's highest mountain and the second highest mountain in all of Western Japan (Mt Ishizuchi in Ehime is a dozen or so meters higher). As one of the "Top 100 Mountains in Japan", it is home to Shinto shrines, a Buddhist temple, and revered by its secretive Shugendo monks. The mountain is literally filled with legends, from its links to the ancient Heike Samurai and the young Emporer Antoku, to deep rooted beliefs that this is the hiding place for the biblical Lost Ark of the Covenant (yep, the one that supposedly holds the original Ten Commandment tablets brought forth by Moses... seriously).
But regardless of the tales and mysteries that Mt Tsurugi holds, the mountain is quite beautiful and its variety of trails offer a not-so-difficult chance to experience Iya's untarnished nature while taking in some fantastic views which extend across the mountains of Shikoku.
Hiking up the mountain is suitable even for beginners since it is not too steep, and our guided tour will first take you about half-way up the mountain via chairlift. From there its about a 1 hour hike to the top, with breaks along the way at various points of interest. Views abound up top, where a packed lunch is usually eaten upon the boardwalks that cross the broad, grassy summit, or lunch can be had at the small Summit Hut restaurant. On the way back down we take an alternate route to loop back full of even more great views, with a stop at one of the mountain's small shrines and a break to fill your water bottle at the acclaimed Tsurugi Water Spring, which is considered one of the "Top 100 Water Springs in Japan". And for those looking for more, we can even extend the hike to go to other nearby mountains or even spend the night in the Summit Hut (see below for Extensions).
After returning back down via the chairlift, you'll go with your guide and car out to the beautifully secluded Double Vine Bridges, and the panoramic Ochiai Village Viewpoint. You will also go for a walk through the delightful Nagoro Scarecrow Village and to Manpu Gorge and its fantastic suspension footbridge.
Base Time:
7 ~ 8+ hours
(Total time depends on where you start or end the tour, and your hiking speed. If both starting and ending via Oboke Station it will take at least 8 hours for the itinerary described.)
- Flexible Route Tour based on hiking routes and customer abilities. Please ask.
- Available mid/late-April to mid-Nov only
- Includes pick-up and drop-off from any Iya Valley or Oboke area accommodation and/or via JR Oboke Station
- Tour itinerary may change based on weather.
- Extended hikes possible, see below.
- Add On sights possible, see below.
- We are generally
not available
for this tour on any
Wednesday.
Price:
Standard Taxi (1-3* people) ¥59,500
Jumbo Taxi (3-8 people) ¥77,700
+ ¥1900 per person Chairlift fee
(total fee is based on total time. For every extra 30 minutes please add ¥4300 for Standard taxi & guide, or ¥5600 for Jumbo taxi & guide)
- All taxi/guide base prices are per group (not per person)
- All prices include tax
- Includes vehicle, driver, and English speaking local guide
- Chairlift fee for Mt Tsurugi is ¥1900/adult round trip, ¥900/child under 12.
- Your group will need to pay the guide's chairlift fee
- 3 people in Standard Taxi is only recommended if 3rd person is a child
- Meal fees not included
- Please pay your guide's lunch fee
- Entrance fees not included (¥550/person Double Vine Bridge. Children are discounted)
Itinerary:
- Pick-up from any local accommodation or Oboke Station
- Ryugugake Park and Manpu Gorge Wire Bridge
- Nagoro Scarecrow Village walk
- Drive to Mt Tsurugi base
- Tsurugi Chairlift to half-way up mountain
- Hike to top with a few short breaks (about 1 hour total hike up)
- Local Bento or Mountain Hut Lunch (see "Lunch Options" below)
- Enjoy Mt Tsurugi's broad summit and panoramic views
- Return hike via loop route (about 1 hour hike down)
- Return to base via chairlift
- Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridges
- Ochiai Village Viewpoint
- Drop-off at any local accommodation or Oboke Station
Extended Tsurugi Hikes:
The total hiking time needed for the route explained above (including the chairlift, breaks, and/or lunch) is about 3 to 4 hours depending on your speed (so total tour time including driving and visiting some other sights on the way is about 7 to 8+ hours, depending on where you start/end the tour), however if you are looking for a more rugged and challenging hike full of awesome views, we can extend the hike in a couple of fantastic ways:
Jirogyu Extension:
Mt Jirogyu is the neighbor to Mt Tsurugi, and is Tokushima's second highest mountain at 1930m. The trail between the two peaks along the ridge is truly spectacular. The summit of Mt Jirogyu offers a picture-perfect 360 degree view, and being that it is much less visited than Mt Tsurugi, the feeling of natural isolation is wonderful. (Of note, many of the lovely pictures you may see of "Mt Tsurugi" are actually photos of Mt Jiryogu which were taken from the top of Mt Tsurugi)
This extension hike takes about 1.5 hours longer than the main hike, so total tour time would be 8 to 9+ hours, depending on your speed*, on where you begin and end the tour, and if you include all scheduled stops (like Nagoro Scarecrow Village, Ochiai Viewpoint, and/or Double Vine Bridges).
*Decent hiking fitness is needed.
The fee will be based on the total time needed.
Jirogyu & Maruishi Extension
(finish at Double Vine Bridges):
With the regular Jirogyu Extension hike you would return to the base of Mt Tsurugi via a type of loop trail, however with this hike we continue over and beyond Mt Jirogyu and continue along the panoramic ridge out to Mt Maruishi for even more incredible views and a deeper feeling of seclusion. From Maruishi the trail then enters the forest, where you descend (often steeply) down to the Double Vine Bridges, which you will need to cross to reach our waiting vehicle.
This truly awesome extended hike takes about 2.5 hours longer than the main hike, so total tour time would be 8.5 to 9.5+ hours, depending on your speed*, on where you begin or end the tour, and if you include all scheduled stops. (it is probably only possible if you are staying in the Iya Valley area).
*Decent hiking fitness is definitely needed.
The fee will be based on the total time needed.
2 Day Hike with stay at Tsurugi Summit Hut:
For a fantastic and unique experience, choose to stay overnight at the Tsurugi Summit Hut , and enjoy both an awesome sunset and spectacular sunrise with a chance to see the elusive early morning "Sea of Clouds".
On Day 1 you will hike to the summit (either with or without the chairlift,) and possibly take a lovely side hike out to nearby Mt Ichinomori. Then on Day 2 you can either choose to return with your guide down to Mt Tsurugi's base, or continue along the ridge via Mt Jirogyu and Mt Maruishi to finish at the Double Vine Bridges.
Though you would be hiring the guide for 2 days, with a multi-day hike it can be possible for us to use a local bus for either one or both of the ways, which can help reduce the cost (please note that buses are only 2 times per day and do not go everyday, so this option is limited). Basic prices start from 32,000 yen per full day for guide plus about 9500 yen per person for staying at Tsurugi Hut (includes dinner and BF) and you will need to pay your guide's accommodation too. Other meals, transportation (taxi and/or bus), and the chairlift would be extra. If seriously interested, please ask for more details. We will work together to make the schedule and arrangements.
+Add On options for this tour:
The main Tsurugi hike takes a few hours, but with some extra time we can go to some additional points to make it an even more fulfilling day!!
Rates for every 30 minutes of extension:
Standard Taxi with guide + ¥4300
Jumbo Taxi with guide + ¥5600
*these extension fees are per group, not per person.
List of Services
-
Oboke Gorge Boat Cruise
+Add 60 minutes of taxi & guide time
Convenient for those traveling to/from Oboke Station (but also possible if not), this tranquil boat cruise goes through the center of Oboke Gorge, with fantastic up-close views of the beauiful rock formations.
- Boat tickets are ¥1500 per person.
- 9am - 5pm (last boat 4:30)
-
Iyakei Gorge Viewpoints
+ Add 30 minutes of taxi & guide time.
The lower quarter of the valley is this beautiful undeveloped gorge, and through here the original cliff-hugging road into Iya was built about 100 years ago. Viewpoint stops here include the panoramic Hi-no-Ji Bend and the sublime Peeing Boy Statue which is perched 200 meters above the river.
List of Services
-
Relaxing Iya Hotspring
+ Add 60 minutes taxi only time**
Rest your weary muscles after a day of hiking by including one of the valley's soothing hotspring (onsen) as a final stop on your tour, where you are sure to tranquilly forget about all of your life's troubles.
- Entry fees range from ¥1000 to ¥1700 per person depending on onsen location, children discounted
**Having a guide is not necessary if bath is taken at the end of the tour, so the fee would be for 60 min. extra taxi time only ( +¥4900 / 60 min standard taxi, +¥7500 / 60 min jumbo taxi)
-
Iya History and Folklore Museum
+ Add 30 minutes taxi & guide time.
This small but very well curated museum is full of interesting artifacts regarding Iya life, customs, and its legends connected to ancient samurai and the former Emperor of Japan.
- Tickets ¥410 per person, children discounted.
- Closed on weekends in winter.
Other One Day Guided Tours
Iya Valley Tours
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