At 1,955 metres high, Mt. Tsurugi is one of Japan's most revered spiritual mountains, and is steeped in legend. While you can hike to the summit in about 40 to 90 minutes, there is a ropeway that takes you most of the way up, followed by a 30-minute walk to the very top where there is a shrine, mountain hut, and wooden boardwalks. On clear days, the mountainous views extend towards the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Inland Sea.

You can spend the night on the mountaintop at the full-service summit hut called Tsurugisan Chojo Hutte & Restaurant, and wake up to a wondrous early morning sea of clouds. The mountain is closed in winter.

Shinmachibashi 2-chome, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture
15-minute ropeway ride or a 40 to 90-minute hike from Minokoshi town at the base