With a peak rising to 284m above sea level, Mt. Tsunomine is a scenic spot located in the south-east of Tokushima Prefecture. From the summit you can look down on Tachibana harbor, which also goes by the name of Awa’s Matsushima, and see all the way to the Naruto Straights and the Kii Peninsula.

The scenic Tsunomine Skyline road takes you almost all the way to the top, and once there you’ll find that Tsunomine Park covers the entirety of the summit.

This is the Tsunomine Skyline toll gate and the fee for standard sized cars is 600 yen. The road is 3.7km long and quite comfortable, the incline on the way up is surprisingly gentle, and there are also a number spots from where you can see the Naruto Straights and Onaruto Bridge.

The road leads to a large parking area almost at the top and the entrance to the last part of the climb up Mt. Tsunomine.

On the right of the photo you can see the path that leads to the summit, but visitors can also use the lift on the left. (※ Adult roundtrip 500 yen.)

This is the path for walkers.

The climb is long and there are many steps to the top, but the old-fashioned entrance path is really rather charming.

This is the lift.

Glancing back, Tachibana Harbor, which also goes by the name of Awa’s Matsujima, and the Kii Channel can be seen in all their splendor.

Taking the lift on the way down offers exceptionally great views.

This is Awa’s Matsujima as seen from the summit park. While you can see the numerous islands that dot Tachibana Harbor, right at the back is the easternmost point of Shikoku: Cape Kamoda. At the front of the cape there’s a white lighthouse. The island of Ishima lies just beyond the cape and is clearly visible.

At the very back of the park lies Tsunomine Shrine. The shrine’s main deity is Kashihahime-no-mikoto, and people from many areas still come to pray for good luck, long life, recovery from illness, and safety on the sea.

The park is not the only place worth seeing on Mt. Tsunomine! After returning to the parking lot either on foot or by via the lift, why not try out the cave spelunking course?

While plenty of caves on the mountainside have been found, there’s an easy path that takes you to 5 slightly larger ones.

This is the Cave of the Great God. Peeking inside reveals that it’s pretty deep and also that it contains a hokora (small shrine). (Other caves include the Cave of Purse and the Cave of Union.) The entrance is tight, but the cave is deep and mysterious.

Shaped by water erosion 50-thousand years ago, this is the entrance to the largest cave: The Cave of Furniture.

Though it’s now 180m above sea level, at that time the sea actually reached this point. Continuing along the trail brings you to Shaking Cave, and from there you can see a mountain range to the north. Mt. Tsunomine is part of the Muroto-Anan Quasi-National Park and is a great spot for people to fully enjoy the charms of both mountain and sea.

As both the Tsunomine Skyline road and Mt. Tsunomine lift are there to assist, getting to the top is surprisingly effortless. Do drop by for a visit if you’re in the area!

Tsunomine Skyline & Tsunomine Park

Address: Higashibun 343, Tsunomine, Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture
Toll road fees: Regular sized cars, light motor vehicles 600 yen. Motorcycles 400 yen
Closed: No scheduled holidays
Open: 6:00～22:00
Parking: Available (free-of-charge)
http://www.city.anan.tokushima.jp/docs/2010120300124/

Mt. Tsunomine Lift

Address: Higashibun 343, Tsunomine, Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture
Fares: Roundtrip: 500 yen. Up only: 350 yen. Down only: 200 yen.
Closed: No scheduled holidays
Open: 9:00～17:00
Parking: Available (free-of-charge)
http://www.awanavi.jp/spot/2013032505069/  

Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Hironobu Matsuoka