Mt. Ishizuchi (石鎚山)

Mt. Ishizuchi (石鎚山, 1,982 m at Mt. Tenguzaka) rises across Saijo City and Kumakōgen Town in Ehime Prefecture and is counted among the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan — the highest peak in western Japan. Long revered as a Shugendō sacred mountain, its highlights include Chōjōsha (Ishizuchi Shrine summit hall) just below the top, the dramatic cliff peaks of Tengu-dake and Misen (1,974 m), and the four famous chain-climbing sections (Tameshi-no-kusari, Ichi-no-kusari, Ni-no-kusari, San-no-kusari). The chain sections all have bypass trails so even beginners can summit. On clear days the panorama spans the Seto Inland Sea, all of Shikoku, and as far as Kyushu.

From JR Yosan Line Iyo-Saijo Station, Setouchi Bus’s “Nishi-no-kawa Line” reaches Ropeway-mae, where the Ishizuchi Climbing Ropeway lifts hikers to Jōju Station at 1,300 m — the start of the Omote-Sandō (front trail) via Jōju Shrine.

*Timetable last checked: unverified

How to access the trailhead

1. [Outbound] Iyo-Saijo Station → Ropeway-mae (Setouchi Bus Nishi-no-kawa Line)
2. [Outbound] Ropeway-mae → Jōju Station (Ishizuchi Climbing Ropeway)
3. [Return] Ropeway-mae → Iyo-Saijo Station (Setouchi Bus Nishi-no-kawa Line)

Course Times (Omote-Sandō round-trip, approx. 7 hours)

Ropeway Summit Jōju Station → (0:50) → Ishizuchi Shrine Chūgū Jōjusha → (1:00) → Hatchōzaka → (1:20) → Tameshi-no-kusari → (1:00) → Ni-no-kusari-moto → (0:30) → Misen (1,974 m) → (0:10) → Tengu-dake (1,982 m) → return on the same trail (descent approx. 3 hours)

1. [Outbound] Iyo-Saijo Station → Ropeway-mae (Setouchi Bus Nishi-no-kawa Line)

From JR Yosan Line Iyo-Saijo Station, board Setouchi Bus’s “Nishi-no-kawa Line” (bound for Nishi-no-kawa) and alight at Ropeway-mae. Travel time approx. 1 h 21 min. From the bus stop it’s a 5-minute walk to the Ishizuchi Climbing Ropeway’s Sanroku Shimotani Station.

Operating period: Year-round
Travel time: approx. 1 h 21 min (Iyo-Saijo Stn → Ropeway-mae)
Fare: Iyo-Saijo Stn → Ropeway-mae adult one-way ¥1,030
Note: Only 4 trips per day — confirm the schedule in advance, especially the last bus.

Reference: Setouchi Bus (official)

Bus TimetableIyo-Saijo Station → Ropeway-mae (Setouchi Bus Nishi-no-kawa Line)

Reference: [NAVITIME Setouchi Bus Nishi-no-kawa Line]

2. [Outbound] Ropeway-mae → Jōju Station (Ishizuchi Climbing Ropeway)

From the Ropeway-mae bus stop, walk approx. 5 minutes to Sanroku Shimotani Station at the base of the ropeway and ride up to Jōju Station at 1,300 m. Travel time approx. 8 minutes. From Jōju Station it’s another 30-minute walk (0.7 km) to Ishizuchi Shrine Chūgū Jōjusha, where the Omote-Sandō trail begins.

Operating period: Year-round (maintenance closures vary — confirm with the operator)
Travel time: approx. 8 min (Sanroku Shimotani → Jōju)
Fare: adult one-way ¥1,300 / round-trip ¥2,200 | child one-way ¥650 / round-trip ¥1,100
Departures: hourly at 0/20/40 (every 20 min). Extra services during peak season; last departure varies by season (summer 17:00, winter 16:40, etc. — confirm in advance).

Reference: Ishizuchi Climbing Ropeway (official)

RopewaySanroku Shimotani ↔ Jōju

Regular service runs every 20 minutes (0/20/40 past each hour). First service typically 8:40 (8:00 in peak season); last service varies by season. Confirm details with the operator’s website or by phone (+81-897-59-0331).

3. [Return] Ropeway-mae → Iyo-Saijo Station (Setouchi Bus Nishi-no-kawa Line)

After descending, take the ropeway back to Sanroku Shimotani Station, then walk 5 minutes to the Ropeway-mae bus stop and board the Setouchi Bus back to Iyo-Saijo Station. The 4 return trips take only 54 minutes (faster downhill).

Operating period: Year-round
Travel time: approx. 54 min (Ropeway-mae → Iyo-Saijo Stn)
Fare: Ropeway-mae → Iyo-Saijo Stn adult one-way ¥1,030

Bus TimetableRopeway-mae → Iyo-Saijo Station (Setouchi Bus Nishi-no-kawa Line)

Reference: [NAVITIME Setouchi Bus Nishi-no-kawa Line (return)]

Featured image: HendrixEesti / CC BY-SA 3.0