Niihama, Saijo, Ishizuchi Travel Guides

The Niihama-Saijo/Ishizuchi area offers tourist attractions such as Kichijoji Temple, Mt. Ibuki, and Mt. Ishizuchi, tourist events such as the Niihama Taiko Festival, Mt. Ishizuchi Hill Climb, and Saijo Festival, and local delicacies such as yubeshi (sweet bean curd), Kirinomori Daifuku, and Ponjuyu.

Although the Seto Inland Sea is associated with the sea, this area is actually home to the highest mountain in western Japan. Ishizuchiyama, which rises 1,982 meters above sea level, has long been known as a sacred place for Shugendo (mountain asceticism).

The trail to the summit is quite demanding, as it is a place for ascetic practices, but a ropeway allows visitors to climb up to the seventh station in one go. Various climbing tours are available, so it is a good idea to take advantage of them.

To the south of Mt. Shizuchiyama is Menkawa-kei, one of the largest valleys in Shikoku. Visitors can enjoy the dynamic scenery of oddly shaped rocks, cliffs, and waterfalls against the backdrop of a seemingly endless sea of trees.

Yokomine Temple, the 60th temple of the Shikoku Sacred Sites, and Hoshigamori Forest, where Kobo Daishi is said to have practiced asceticism, are located on the north side of Mt.

Kuma Kogen, located in the Ishizuchi mountain range, is also called "Karuizawa of the West. The Kuma Kogen Astronomical Observatory, which houses a castle and an astronomical dome, has a 60cm reflecting telescope capable of observing stars up to about 16th magnitude.

Under the clear highland sky, visitors can observe stars that they cannot find in their daily lives. The planetarium, which seats only 40 people, provides explanations of the seasonal starry sky, so you can enjoy it more if you learn about the stars during the daytime.

The mountainous terrain of the area is home to a large forestry industry, but there are also many old trees in their natural state, which have recently become popular among young women as a place where they can "feel the power of nature. The "Inobushi no Daito Chichi," which is estimated to be over 600 years old, is one such popular tree.

Gourmet food, of course, is also a popular pastime in the mountains. Wild flavors such as gibier (pheasant) and char-grilled river fish from the clear streams are popular. There are also several nature campgrounds, many of which are clean and equipped with kitchens and flush toilets.

Because of the large temperature difference between day and night, the area is also famous for the colorful blooming of a variety of flowers. Different flowers take center stage in each season, such as cherry blossoms, azaleas, and lilies, but no matter what time of year you visit, the area is full of dreamy sights and sounds.