Mt. Sasagamine (笹ヶ峰, 1,860 m), on the border of Saijo (Ehime) and Ino (Kochi), is one of the 200 Famous Japanese Mountains.
Rising at the eastern end of the Ishizuchi Range, Sasagamine, Kamegamori, and Mt. Ishizuchi are together called the “Three Famous Mountains of Iyo”. The summit area is open, wind-swept grassland, and it is an intermediate-level mountain with a beautiful ridgeline of sweeping bamboo grass.
The local bus to the trailhead has been discontinued, so public access means a taxi. The nearest station is Iyo-Saijo on the JR Yosan Line, and you reach the Sasagamine forest-road trailhead by taxi from Iyo-Saijo Station.
The trailhead is the Sasagamine forest-road trailhead (beyond Shimotsuike). The standard route is an out-and-back: Sasagamine forest-road trailhead → Maruyama-so lodge (about 1,545 m) → Mt. Sasagamine summit, about 2 hours 30 minutes one way and roughly 5 hours round trip, intermediate level. Once you leave the forest, a wide grassy ridge opens up with views stretching to Kamegamori and Mt. Ishizuchi.
The Maruyama-so on the slope is a mountain lodge (confirm its operation in advance; inquiries via Ishizuchi Kanko) and works as a base for an overnight or an early start. The season runs from fresh green to autumn foliage (roughly May to November). A day trip is possible, but the forest road is long, so an overnight stay nearby is convenient. Always check the latest trail and forest-road conditions in advance.
How to access the trailheads
1. [Round trip] Iyo-Saijo Station → Sasagamine forest-road trailhead
Take the JR Yosan Line to Iyo-Saijo Station from the Matsuyama or Takamatsu direction. The local bus to the Sasagamine forest-road trailhead has been discontinued, so a taxi is the standard option.
From Iyo-Saijo Station, take National Route 194 to Shimotsuike, then continue up the Sasagamine forest road to the trailhead. The last 2 km or so of the forest road beyond Shimotsuike is unpaved and rough in places. No taxis wait at the trailhead and mobile phone reception is poor, so booking both the outbound and return rides in advance is essential. Tell the company your expected descent time and arrange the pickup.
– Seto Taxi (Iyo-Saijo) 0897-56-1130
– Watanabe Taxi (Saijo) 0897-56-0222
Overnight stay: For a night before the climb, lodgings around Iyo-Saijo Station or the roadside station “Kinoka” (with a hot spring) on the Kochi side are convenient. To stay at the Maruyama-so lodge on the slope (about 1,545 m), book in advance (inquiries: Ishizuchi Kanko 0897-53-0007). If you drive, there is parking for about 10 cars at the trailhead.
Source: [Ishizuchi Range official, Sasagamine] / [Saijo City tourism]
Route and safety notes
Route: Sasagamine forest-road trailhead → Yado (about 60 minutes from the trailhead) → Maruyama-so (about 30 minutes, 1,545 m) → Mt. Sasagamine summit (about 50 minutes, 1,860 m). It is about 2 hours 30 minutes one way and roughly 5 hours round trip, intermediate level. After the forested climb, the grassy ridge opens up with sweeping views toward Kamegamori and Mt. Ishizuchi.
Forest road and access: The Sasagamine forest road beyond Shimotsuike has an unpaved, rough final 2 km or so, and it can be impassable after heavy rain. Check the weather not only for the day but for the preceding several days.
Ridge and season: The summit grassland is fully exposed, so beware of strong wind, fog, and lightning. The open views also mean the weather can change suddenly. In winter, snow and ice make it a route for the experienced.
Gear and season: The season runs May to November. Carry water, food, rain gear, warm clothing, and a map/GPS. If you plan to stay at Maruyama-so, always confirm its operation in advance.
Emergencies: In case of accident or distress, call 110 (police) or 119 (fire/rescue).
・Saijo City Hall 0897-56-5151
Photo by As6673 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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