2025 Saijo Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

[Komatsu Oasis Roadside Station] There is Montbell, famous for outdoor equipment, and inside there are towering bouldering and climbing walls, and even a waterfall👏 You will be surprised at the wide selection of outdoor equipment and clothing✨ There is also an outlet corner on the second floor, making it a must-see spot for Montbell fans⭐️ The visitor center is also located in the center of the first floor. At the Oasis Market, which is typical of a roadside station, you can buy souvenirs from Ehime, mandarin oranges, Imabari towels, and more. From the highway, you first enter Ishizuchiyama SA, and then the road continues for a while, but you can access it from either the northbound or southbound lanes of Ishizuchiyama SA. This roadside station has a large parking lot, a children's playground with authentic athletic equipment, and even a hot spring♨️. Highly recommended♪ 📍Location: 22-29 Shinyashiki, Komatsu-cho, Saijo-shi, Ehime Electric vehicle charging facilities available🚗 [Montbell] [Oasis Market] 🕰️Opening hours: 10am-7pm [Visitor Center] 🕰️Opening hours: 9am-7pm #Ehime #Ehime Drive #Ehime Roadside Station #Roadside Station Komatsu Oasis #Spring 0 yen trip

📍Location: Mt. Tengu in Saijo, Ehime Prefecture. ✨️Recommended reasons: It is connected to Mt. Ishizuchi, and can be accessed from the summit of Mt. Ishizuchi. There are many rocks of various sizes, making it a little difficult to walk. Also, because it is a steep cliff, you need to walk carefully, using chains or something similar. On cloudy days, it is covered in mist, but on sunny days, the sky is completely clear, so you can look down at a fairly low altitude. 🏖️Atmosphere/facilities: There is a plaque and a donation box at the summit of Mt. Tengu. #Spring0yentrip #Mountainclimbing

#springwander Mt. Ishizuchi is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan in Ehime Prefecture, which has been familiar as a mountain of mountain faith since ancient times. Along with Mt. Fuji, Hakusan, Tateyama, and Oyama, it is counted as one of the seven sacred mountains in Japan. At the top of Mt. Yayama, in the middle of the slope, and at the foot of the mountain, there is a shrine with Mt. Ishizuchi as a sacred mountain, and the head office of the Ishizuchi Shrine at the foot of the mountain, the Okumiya Summit Shrine at the top of the mountain, the Achievement Shrine on the middle of the slope, and the Tsuchikoya Harubaiden are called "Ishizuchi Shrine".

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Maegami-ji Temple, 64th Temple of the 88 Shikoku Pilgrimage Maegami-ji Temple was built by the imperial wish of Emperor Kanmu, and is the 64th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage (^^). It was the head temple of the sacred mountain, Mt. Ishizuchi, until the Shinto-Buddhist separation policy! The grounds are large, and the Daishi-do, Goma-do, Yakushi-do, and Hon-do are scattered throughout. Currently, it is the head temple of the Ishizuchi school of Shingon Buddhism, and is visited by many worshippers as the main training center of Shugendo (^^) Please go and check it out (^ ^)!! ! ! [Location] 1426 Sunouchi-ko, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture [Parking] Free parking available #0 yen trip February 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Shikoku 88 Temples, Temple No. 63, Mikkyo Mountain Taizoin, Kichijoji Among the Shikoku pilgrimage sites, Kichijoji is the only temple with Bishamonten as its principal image, and its origins can be traced back to this time (^^) It is said that Kobo Daishi made a pilgrimage around this region during the Kōnin era, when he found a single cypress tree emitting light and felt that the area was filled with spiritual energy ^ ^ He carved a statue of Bishamonten as his principal image from this sacred tree, and then carved and enshrined statues of Kisshoten and Zenshi Doji as attendants, and built a temple to pray for relief from poverty. [Location] 1048 Himi Otsu, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture 793-0072 #0 Yen Trip February 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime] Koenji Temple, the 61st of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku The one and only temple that enshrines Koyasu Daishi (Kobo Daishi holding a baby) due to auspicious origins (^ ^) Kobo Daishi is said to have left secret methods for safe childbirth, child-rearing, substitutes, and women's enlightenment at the temple. This is why Koenji Temple is called "Koyasu's Kobo Daishi" (^^) And it is said that Koenji Temple was founded by Prince Shotoku (574-622) to pray for the peace of mind of the 31st Emperor Yomei's illness. [Location] 19 Minamikawa-ko, Komatsu-cho, Saijo-shi, Ehime Prefecture, 799-1102 #0 yen trip February 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] 60th temple of the 88 sacred places of Shikoku, Mount Ishizuchi, Fukuchi-in, Yokomine-ji Temple (^^) 60th temple of the 88 sacred places of Shikoku, Mount Ishizuchi, Fukuchi-in, Yokomine-ji Temple (^^) The temple is built in the style of a shrine, and the main image is a seated statue of Dainichi Nyorai made by Kobo Daishi (^^) It also enshrines a bronze statue of Zao Gongen from the Heian period, both of which are designated as important cultural properties by the prefecture (^^) [Location] 2253 Ishizuchi-ko, Komatsu-cho, Saijo-shi, Ehime Prefecture, 799-1112 [Access] From Iyo Komatsu Interchange, drive on National Route 11 towards Saijo City, pass Himi intersection and turn right onto Prefectural Route 142, then turn right at the Yokomine Trailhead bus stop. Head towards the mountain and it will be right in front of you. #0 Yen Trip February 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] A hot spring inn boasting a spectacular view! ♨️(^^) A hot spring inn boasting a spectacular view of the Ishizuchi mountain range, the highest peak in western Japan, and the beautiful islands of the Seto Inland Sea. You can enjoy the water drawn from Hontani Onsen, which is known as one of the "Three Hot Springs of Iyo" along with Dogo and Donkawa Onsen (^ ^) There is also a campsite and a swimming beach, so both adults and children can enjoy it! (^^) The most popular season is summer vacation (^^) You're sure to have fun! Please come and visit (^^) [Hotel name] Kyuka Mura Setouchi Toyo [Location] 7-179 Kawarazu Otsu, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture #0 yen trip February 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Sky Road Leading to Mt. Ishizuchi, the Highest Peak in Western Japan🚗 A town road stretching for about 27km in length with Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest peak in Western Japan, in the background (^^) The route that runs along the ridge at an altitude of 1,300m to 1,700m is popular as a driving course with a spectacular view that leads to the sky! The road is closed for the winter from late November to early April. In addition, although the road is all paved, it is a single lane and will be crowded during Golden Week and the autumn foliage season, so please be careful when driving (^^) #0 Yen Trip February 2025

📍Binke-mori The summit of Binke-mori, which exudes a stately presence, is a gentle plain, and is covered with magnificent bamboo grass. There are clusters of fir and hemlock trees, and the skeletal forest creates a particularly beautiful landscape, and the natural beauty is worthy of being called the panoramic platform of Shikoku. The summit has two peaks, Meyama and Oyama, and the views are outstanding. In particular, Mt. Ishizuchi can be seen in all its majestic beauty. It takes about an hour to reach the summit from the trailhead at Binke-mori parking lot, and the views are outstanding, so it is a popular mountain for beginners. An refuge hut and toilets were completed at the end of 2017, and are available for use along with the nearby campsite. #0yentripFebruary2025

🇯🇵【Ehime Prefecture】In a place like this! Ishizuchi Shrine Chugu Jyojusha⛩️(^ ^) Ishizuchi Shrine is a shrine that worships Mt. Ishizuchi, one of the seven sacred mountains of Japan, as its sacred mountain (the mountain where the gods rest). The four shrines, the summit shrine at the top, the Jyojusha shrine and Tsuchigoya Yohaiden shrine at the middle (7th station), and the main shrine located near the JR and national highway, are collectively called Ishizuchi Shrine (^^) It is located about 20 minutes walk from the Ishizuchi Mountain Ropeway at the middle (7th station) of Mt. Ishizuchi! It serves religious ceremonies and events, offers prayers for general climbers, and is an important base for climbing the sacred mountain Mt. Ishizuchi along with the Tsuchigoya Yohaiden shrine (^^) #0 yen trip February 2025

📍Hoshigamori, Yokomine-ji Temple's inner sanctuary If you climb another 500m from the temple grounds, you will reach Hoshigamori, a remote worship site on the west side of Mt. Ishizuchi. It takes a little time, but the unassuming torii gates blend in with the surroundings, and you can enjoy a wonderful view that values ​​the atmosphere. Also, I felt that the photos including the torii gates would be interesting to take home as souvenirs. Yokomine-ji Temple, the 60th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, is highly regarded for its well-preserved old roads and the pilgrimage culture itself, including marker stones, Jizo statues, and pilgrim graves. It is a spot where you can enjoy the old road (Yokomine-ji Road) to Hoshigamori. #0 Yen Travel February 2025

📍Autumn leaves on Mt. Ishizuchi The leaves on Mt. Ishizuchi start to change color from the summit in early October, around the summit around the 10th, around Jojusha Shrine from mid-October to around the 20th, and on Nishinokawasuji from late October to mid-November. Mt. Ishizuchi is the highest peak in western Japan, boasting an elevation of 1,982 meters, and is one of Japan's 100 famous mountains. On a clear day, you can see the Seto Inland Sea from the summit, as well as the mountains of the Chugoku region and Kyushu in the distance. The best time to see the autumn leaves is around October near the summit, and the colors gradually move to the foothills. From Kumakogen Town, you can use the Ishizuchi Skyline mountain road to access the Tsuchigoya hut at an elevation of 1,492 meters while enjoying the autumn leaves. The feeling of accomplishment from climbing and the spectacular view of the autumn leaves at the same time are the real pleasures of a high-altitude mountain. From the hut, even beginners can climb to the summit in relative safety, and the area near the summit is a spectacular spot to view the red leaves of autumn. #0yentravelFebruary2025

📍Kanehisa Pond Also known as Ikenouchi Pond, it is located at the foot of a mountain in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, facing the Seto Inland Sea. It is a reservoir built in 1791 for irrigation purposes, and with a storage capacity of 460,000 tons, it is the largest reservoir in the Saijo area. There are parking lots and promenades around it, and it has a great view of the Ishizuchi mountain range, and in spring people come to enjoy cherry blossoms and strolls. It may be a hidden gem that many people don't know about yet. Currently, it is managed by the Dozen Plain Land Improvement District, and is effectively used as a regulating pond for the Omogo Dam. #0yentripFebruary2025

📍Ishizuchi Mountain Range The Ishizuchi mountain range is centered around Mt. Ishizuchi and has over a dozen mountains with an elevation of 1,700m or more, stretching over 50km from east to west. The mountains of Shikoku are mainly divided into the Tsurugi Mountains in the east and the Ishizuchi Mountains in the west, and the Ishizuchi Mountains are led by Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan, and reach Ninomori, Dogamori, Aotakiyama, and Kuromori Pass in the west. From Kuromori Pass, it forms a mountain range that is high in the east and low in the west, passing through the Saraga Mountain Range and the Izushi Mountains to the Sada Misaki Peninsula. This mountain range, which has nearly 20 mountains over 1,500m, forms the backbone of the Shikoku Mountain Range and is also one of the most representative mountains in western Japan. #0yentravelFebruary2025

📍Nishiyama Koryuji Temple During the autumn foliage season, the temple is known as "Nishiyama Koryuji Temple of Maple Leaves" because of the stunning scenery that blends in with the surrounding mountains. In spring, the Somei-Yoshino and weeping cherry trees bloom in full glory, and many photographers gather here during the autumn foliage and cherry blossom seasons. The temple also has many cultural assets, such as the main hall and bronze bell, and the historic building blends in with nature while exuding a dignified presence. The best time to see the autumn leaves at Nishiyama Koryuji Temple is from mid-November to early December. #Free hotel stay

📍Ushiro no Shomen Dare Established in 1985, this cafe, along with the adjacent karaoke shop run by the owner's father, has long been a popular place of relaxation for locals. It has now become an essential stop for visitors to Saijo City. The recommended menu at Ushiro no Shomen Dare is the "Saijo Teppan Napolitan" (1,580 yen, tax excluded) #Free hotel stay

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Let's go to the famous Ishizuchi Shrine⛩️ This shrine is built at a high position, as if it were looking out over the world, with the sacred mountain Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan, as its sacred mountain. The four shrines, "Okunomiya/Chojosha", "Nakamiya/Jojusha", "Tsuchigoya Yohaiden", and "Kuchinomiya/Honsha", are collectively called Ishizuchi Shrine, and welcome visitors with a solemn atmosphere. In addition, various Shinto ceremonies such as the "Oyama-kairi Grand Festival" and the "Setsubun Festival/Hoshi-matsuri Prayer Festival" are held, and you can experience the atmosphere of Ishizuchi Shrine's main shrine through these ceremonies as well. [Location] 797 Nishida-ko, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, 793-8555 #Free hotel stay

📍 Kumano Shrine, Ehime Prefecture Kumano Shrine is located in Tanbara-cho, Saijo City. It is not well known outside of the locals, but it is quite amazing! ! What is amazing is that every spring, the area of ​​the mountain where Kumano Shrine is located is dyed as shown in the photo. Yes, this part is a forest of 100% pure cherry blossoms. There is a torii gate at the end of a small path, but Kumano Shrine itself is not a shrine, it is just a torii gate and a small shrine. It is not a very famous place, so there are hardly any people, and it is a secret spot where you feel as if you have wandered into another world in the pale pink space as far as the eye can see! #0 yen trip January 2025

📍Amakawa Rice Terraces, Ehime Prefecture Amakawa village is located in the upper reaches of the Daimyojin River, and in Amagaya in the west, there are 65 rice terraces (2.2ha). In order to protect the rice terraces, which are becoming dilapidated due to the aging of farmers and damage caused by wild animals, local farmers formed the "Amakawa Rice Terrace Preservation Society". They cultivate rapeseed flowers, milk vetch, and cosmos. In addition to the rice terraces where rice is grown, seasonal flowers are blooming in the currently fallow rice terraces, so you can enjoy the collaboration of the rice terraces and seasonal flowers. There is also a handmade observation deck from which you can see the whole of Saijo City beyond the rice terraces. #0yentravelJanuary2025

📍Gourd Pond, Ehime Prefecture Gourd Pond is a small pond located in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku. It is famous as a cherry blossom spot and is also known as "Ishida's Gourd Pond". Although it is named "gourd", the outer edge of the pond is mostly straight and far from the roundness of a gourd. On the Internet and social media, you can find voices from people who know Gourd Pond saying, "It's not a gourd at all!" As for its actual shape, if you look at a map or aerial photograph, you can see that the center of the pond is slightly narrowed in the north-south direction. In addition, the northern end is shaped like the "stem" of a gourd, so it may have really been a gourd-shaped in the past. #0 yen trip January 2025

[Ehime Prefecture] Impressive Torii ⛩️ Mishima Shrine ⛩️ ^ ^ An ancient shrine that was enshrined by the provincial governor Kono Iyonokami Ochi no Sukune Tamaoki and Tamazumi as the general guardian deity of Idego by imperial order in the 5th year of the Wadou era (712) of Emperor Genmei (^^)(^^) Nearby is Koenji Temple, the 61st temple of the 88 sacred places of Shikoku (^^) I think it's best to visit them as a set (^^)! Please go and check it out (^^)! [Location] 2234 Shinyashiki-ko, Komatsu-cho, Saijo City [Access] About a 15-minute walk from Iyo-Komatsu Station on the JR Yosan Line. [Parking] 10 spaces available. #0yentripJanuary2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Enjoy the best cherry blossoms🌸 at Hyotan Pond (^^) Hyotan Pond is a small pond in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture (^^), but this pond is famous as a cherry blossom spot (^^) Although it is named "Hyotan" (gourd), the outer edge of the pond does not look like a gourd (^^) Many people on social media say "It's not a gourd at all!" lol [Location] Hyotan Pond, 730 Ishida, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture [Access] About 12 minutes on foot from Tamanoe Station exit About 39 minutes on foot from Iyo-Komatsu Station exit About 42 minutes on foot from Mibugawa Station exit #0 yen trip January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] A day-trip hot spring facility inspired by the Asian resort island of Bali! (^^) Just like Bali! ? (^^) A day-trip hot spring facility inspired by the popular Asian resort island of Bali! (^^) Outside the large bath, there is an open-air bath, a hot spring bath, a barrel bath, and a walking bath! The hot spring bath is at a low temperature so you can bathe for as long as you like (^^) Also, while feeling the breeze blowing through, your mind and body will be elegantly and leisurely healed as if you were in Bali! Please go and check it out (^^) #0 yen trip January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] A dining bar that's like a stylish cafe (^^) Every single dish is delicious! The appetizer plate is stylish (^^) The cod roe pasta and duck are recommended (^^) Please come and visit us (^^)(^^)!! ! ! ! ! [Store name] Waltz&de [Location] 679-12 Omachi, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture [Access] About 9 minutes on foot from the Iyo-Saijo Station exit About 57 minutes on foot from the Ishizuchiyama Station exit [Business hours] 18:00-1:00 [Closed] Tuesday #0 yen trip January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime] A Chinese noodle shop with a line along the mountain path 🍜 There is a famous Chinese noodle shop along the mountain path ^ ^ Two types of Chinese noodle and Zaru Chinese (^^) It's like ramen and tsukemen (^^) It's really delicious! You can't eat the Aburi Char Siu Don unless you line up at 1am (^^) See the 4th photo ^ ^ It usually sells out within an hour of opening ^ ^ Chinese noodle is often sold out within business hours as well (^^) Please go and try it (^^) [Location] 702 Kurashikara, Tanbara-cho, Saijo-shi, Ehime [Access] Bus stop Takimibashi / 16 minutes walk from Setouchi bus Bus stop Takimibashi / 18 minutes walk from Iyotetsu bus Bus stop Ochide (west side) / 40 minutes walk from Iyotetsu bus [Business hours] 10:20-13:00 #0 yen trip January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Roadside station! Komatsu Oasis! (^ ^) A roadside station at the foot of Mt. Ishizuchi, the highest peak in Western Japan! Komatsu Oasis! OASIS MARKET, which offers fresh vegetables and souvenirs grown with the most abundant water in Shikoku, as well as special products from Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, is popular (^^) In addition to the "Visitor Center" where you can collect mountain information, tourist information, and road information as a base facility for outdoor activities, we have also developed a "Climbing Facility" where you can experience full-scale rope climbing at a height of about 6m (^^) At the "Montbell Store" operated by Montbell, a comprehensive outdoor brand, you can find a wide variety of outdoor products! (^ ^) #0 yen trip January 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] The most delicious katsudon in Japan! A restaurant that has a line! A long-established katsudon restaurant! (^^) A katsudon specialty restaurant that is popular among locals, and there is often a line! (^^) A must-visit restaurant for katsudon lovers (^^) There is always a line during seasons such as Golden Week! Many customers come from outside the prefecture! The katsudon has just the right thickness of meat, and is accented with fragrant green seaweed! The cheese katsudon is recommended! It's super delicious (^^)! If you like cheese, you should definitely try it (^^) [Location] 1-9 Honmachi, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture #0 yen trip January 2025