Mount Ishizuchi

Mount Ishizuchi rises to 1,982 meters, making it the tallest mountain in all of western Japan and one of the seven sacred mountains in Japanese mountain worship tradition. The peak has been a site of Shugendo ascetic training for over 1,300 years, and its challenging ascent features three sets of heavy iron chains bolted directly into the steep rock face that climbers can use to pull themselves up. The Ishizuchi Tozan Ropeway carries visitors from the base station at 455 meters to Joju Station at 1,300 meters in about eight minutes, shortening the hike considerably. From the summit on clear days, hikers are rewarded with sweeping views across Shikoku, the Seto Inland Sea, and even as far as the mountains of Kyushu. The mountain is especially popular during the July 1st mountain-opening festival and in autumn when the slopes blaze with vivid fall foliage.