Hiking at Mt. Tsurugi

Mt. Tsurugi, located adjacent to Iya Valley, is the second tallest mountain in western Japan—at 1,955 meters—and one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. Despite its high elevation, the hike to the mountain’s summit is relatively easy thanks to a chairlift that brings you about half-way up.

The one-seated chairlift ascends about 330 meters and takes roughly 15 minutes. For the most direct route to the summit from the upper chairlift station, called Nishijima, follow the Ridge Trail Course, which takes about 40 minutes. For longer hikes that weave through the forested mountainside, take the Tsurugi Trail Course (60 minutes) or the Yuhodo (Promenade) Trail Course (80 minutes). You can also opt to bypass the chairlift and hike the entire way up to the summit from the Minokoshii trailhead, which takes about two hours one way. The top of the mountain is home to a shrine, bathrooms, mountain lodging huts, and wooden boardwalks that lead to scenic lookout points. In summer, enjoy expansive views of verdant mountaintops, and in autumn, admire the vibrant autumn foliage.