Mount Tsurugi (Toyama)

Elevation2,999 m (9,839 ft)

ListingList of mountains in Japan
100 Famous Japanese Mountains

Coordinates36°37′24″N 137°37′02″E / 36.62333°N 137.61722°E / 36.62333; 137.61722

English translationSword Mountain

Mount Tsurugi
剱岳
View from the WNW
Highest point
Elevation	2,999 m (9,839 ft)
Listing	List of mountains in Japan 100 Famous Japanese Mountains
Coordinates	36°37′24″N 137°37′02″E / 36.62333°N 137.61722°E / 36.62333; 137.61722
Naming
English translation	Sword Mountain
Language of name	Japanese
Geography
Mount Tsurugi Toyama Prefecture, Japan
Parent range	Hida Mountains
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Mount Tsurugi (剱岳, Tsurugi-dake) is a mountain located in the eastern area of Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the tallest peaks in the Hida Mountains at 2,999 m (9,839 ft). It is one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, and is called "the most dangerous mountain" climbable.^[1]

Tsurugi has a number of routes which approach world class long routes. It is recognised in Japan as "the" premiere mountaineering peak in winter. Although dangerous, its death toll is a small fraction of those who have died on Japan's much smaller, but more lethal Mount Tanigawa (Tanigawa-dake).

The first modern ascent of Mount Tsurugi was by Yoshitaro Shibasaki [ja] and Ikuta Nobu [ja] in 1907.^[2] However, upon reaching the summit, Ikuta discovered a rusted iron sword and staff. Upon later scientific investigation, the sword dated from the late Nara period to the early Heian period (approximately 800 AD), showing that shugenja had climbed Mount Tsurugi about 1,200 years ago.^[3]