Mount Ishizuchi is the highest mountain in western Japan and Ehime's great inland adventure. It is both a hiking destination and a sacred peak, with shrines, forest trails, and sharp ridges that feel far removed from the citrus coast. Ishizuchi means "stone hammer," and the mountain has long been a centre of Shugendo mountain worship — the final approach includes optional iron-chain climbs that turn the ascent into something far more physical than a polite shrine visit.
The standard climbing season runs from spring through autumn, with autumn colour especially popular. A ropeway from the Saijo side cuts out much of the lower forest and puts you within a few hours of the summit. Weather can be serious near the top, so carry layers and do not treat the chain sections casually.