Mt. Ishizuchi Hike (Shikoku)

Ishizuchi 1982m is an easy to difficult hike depending on if you climb up the chains or use the detours. It's also one of Japans sacred shugendo mountains and closed to woman on July 1st.

Its famous for its 4 sections with almost vertical chains and fall colors. There is also a ropeway that runs year-round.

		
⏲︎	Time: 6h
✎	Kanji: 石鎚山
⚲ 	Location: Ehime (Shikoku)
↔	Distance: 8.6km
✮	Difficulty: Intermediate
ᨒ	Elevation Gain: 1024m
☀	Dayhike
☉	Snow: November to May

Access

Car

Park at the ropeway parking lot. Parking is 500¥.

Public Transportation

Take the train to JR Iyo-Saijo Station and from there take the bus to Ishizuchi ropeway. Its 1020¥ one way. There are four departures a day. The first one is at 7:47am (times are on google maps). It takes about 50min.

Ropeway

You can use the ropeway to skip a lot of the elevation. It's 2200¥ roundtrip. The ropeway is open year-round.

Trail description

Start from the ropeway and walk through the forest. You'll pass a temple and shrine. At the shrine, you can buy some last-minute snacks/drinks or some ice cream on the way down.

After the shrine you're going down for a bit and soon, you'll get to your first set of chains up to a small peak. All the chain sections have detours with normal trails or stairs. If you want a challenge and have some upper body strength, I would give them a try. During bad weather, when the chains are wet, or in winter, I would be more careful.

Just below the peak is a little hut/resthouse with toilets (Ninokusarimotogoya). From there, you have two more sets of chains until the peak.

From Ishizuchi, you can also walk over to Tengudake. The trail is steep and a little exposed, so be careful if it's wet.

Then, return back the same way you came up, and if you have extra time, you can soak at an onsen at the bottom.