Mount Tsurugi

Mount Tsurugi rises to 1,955 meters as the second-highest peak in Shikoku, its very name meaning Sword Mountain after the legend that a sacred imperial sword was hidden near its summit by the vanquished Heike clan in the 12th century. A sightseeing chairlift carries hikers from the Minokoshi base at 1,420 meters partway up the mountain, gliding for about 15 minutes through dense ancient virgin forest that has never been logged. From the upper lift station, a well-maintained trail leads to the broad, grassy summit in roughly 40 minutes, passing through stands of ancient Shikoku fir and beech trees. The panoramic views from the top stretch across the undulating mountain ranges of central Shikoku, and on clear days the Pacific Ocean is visible to the south. Mount Tsurugi is particularly spectacular in early October when the summit grasslands turn golden and the surrounding forests erupt in brilliant autumn colors.