Ishizuchi San, Ehime

Ishizuchi San is the tallest mountain on Shikoku island at 1982 metres, and a great adventurous hike with exciting features like steel chains that lead up to the peak. Ishizuchi San has the honour of being one of Japan's 7 most holy mountains making it a popular pilgrim destination. The views from the top are fantastic reaching out into the ocean and across to the surrounding mountain ranges that have incredibly steep cliffs.

You wouldn't expect such an exciting adventure from the way this hike begins. A cable car ropeway takes you up 800metres of very sheer mountain face, over canopies of cedar.
http://www.ishizuchi.com/
Tel: 0897-59-0031
〒793-0215　愛媛県西条市西之川下谷甲81番地
Parking 500 Yen
Ropeway 1900 Yen return
The view above from the cable car

The cable car drops you off at 1450 metres where the Joujusha Temple complex marks the beginning of the path. A word of advice to those thinking of skipping the steep price of the ropeway and climbing the incredibly steep 800 metre ascent to the Joujusha Temple - The path is indiscernible and dangerous and it is very easy to become lost. There are countless fallen trees and obstacles. It is not advisable to attempt this course.

The ropeway opened at 8.45 am on the day we climbed, despite their web page suggesting they start business at 9.30am. What is certain is that the last ride back is at 6pm and that it runs every 20 minutes all day. It is a great journey from the bottom of the valley with a view across to the neighbouring mountain to give you a real sense of how fast and high you are travelling.

From the Joujusha Temple complex you will find a traditional shrine gate and the hike descends down for about 15 minutes before flattening out and reaching a second temple gate. After an enjoyable flat walk that winds its way through a variety of trees from Hinoki to Cedar and Cypress (all clearly labelled) you will reach an area named Hatchōzaka (八丁坂) from where you will see a peak off to the right.

Many people become confused when they see the chains here, leading up the cliff face. After such a relatively easy walk, they think they've made it to the top in record time. In fact, they have reached Maejya Ga Mori.

It is not necessary to climb this peak, however, the view from the top of this 74 metre climb over slippery rocks using the iron chains to pull yourself up makes it worthwhile - the views over the valleys and the surrounding peaks is wonderful, and the cliff face of Ishizuchi San is clearly visible. There is a small shrine here and this first peak gives you a good sense of what is to come when climbing the final peaks if you choose to take the iron chain path.

Above: The optional peak with chains, have a close look and you will see them at the top

Those that don't take the first peak, there is a path leading down around its base, and the two paths merge into one once more.

A little further along the track, you will come to the first set of chains that take you to the peak of the mountain. (Ichi No Kusari) This first set is 33 metres in length.

Further along you will come to a small hut (Ni No Kusari Goya) and the second red temple gate that denotes the final ascent to the peak. This is where the fun really starts. The second set of chains takes you up 65 metres of vertical cliff face, from which point there is an option to exit the chain route and join those who are climbing the steep staircase instead.
A graph representing the hike in distance and altitude

For those who continue on the chain path, there is another 68 metres of chain to the temple at the peak.

However, the fun doesn't stop there. The actual summit of Ichizuchi San is only reached by crossing the ridge of rock that leads up to the tiny shrine and sign for the summit. With a sheer drop on one side, and steeply sloped rocks to traverse, this is an exciting few minutes.

It would be unadvisable to attempt this part of the path or the chains in the rain or adverse weather conditions. Ishizuchi has claimed lives in the past, and is well known for having highly changeable weather conditions.

Bus information
http://www.ishizuchi.com/access/index.html

JR伊予西条駅 (JR Iyo Saijo) →IshizuchiRopeway		IshizuchiRopeway→ JR伊予西条駅 (JR Iyo Saijo)
Depart	Arrival	Depart	Arrival
07:43	08:37	※06:56	07:50
10:23	11:17	09:12	10:06
13:33	14:27	12:02	12:56
16:13	17:07	15:17	16:11
-	-	17:22	18:16