Travel / Tourism Spots in Mt. Ishizuchi / Shikoku Karst Area

  • Iwayaji Temple
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    4.5
    43 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Kamiukenagunkumakougenchou Nanatori 1468
    This temple belongs to the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism and is located in KumakogenTown in Kamiukena County, Ehime Prefecture, and it is the 45th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. The hall erected to look like it is embedded in a large rock is one of the striking features of this sacred mountain site. It is said that in 815, a female deity gifted the mountains to Kukai, where he proceeded to sculpt stone and wooden statues of Acala. The wooden statue is enshrined in the main hall as the principal image. The stone statue is enshrined in a cave as a statue rarely shown to the public and is said to be the principal image for the whole mountain. The temple grounds were designated a national Places of Scenic Beauty, and the Kobo Daishi hall that was rebuilt in 1920 is a National Important Cultural Property. The “seriwari-zenjo” site where Kukai is said to have meditated is also worth visiting.

    We met a bunch of cool local Japanese henro on the way out of this temple, which made our ability to navigate the forest trail far easier without speaking any Japanese. This is a beautiful Temple...

  • Yokomineji Temple
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    4.0
    43 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Komatsuchouishiduchi 2253
    This is the head temple of the Omuro sect of Shingon Buddhism and is located in Komatsu Town, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, and it is the 60th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It is situated halfway up the north face of Mt. Ishizuchi, famous as a sacred site and for the highly treacherous “falling pilgrim” road that must be used for access until the forest road is completed for cars to use. En no Gyoja laid the foundations in 651. Afterward, Kukai visited and established the temple after conducting the secret “hoshi” ritual. The principal images in the main hall are Dainichi-Nyorai and Zao Gongen Mishotai, which have been designated as prefectural Important Cultural Properties. Around the beginning of May, rhododendrons bloom along the face of the cliff to the side of the main hall. Note that the forest road is not accessible during winter. Large buses cannot access the road.

    素晴らしい遍路寺ですが、ここは西日本の最高峰、石鎚山の中腹に位置する寺院。アクセスは今でこそ楽にはなっているが、かつては「遍路転がし」の道と呼ばれた再難所寺でもあった。縁起も西暦651年に遡る1372年の歴史を有する古寺。行基に始まり、弘法大師空海、石仙上人等の大きな名前に由来する名刹。一時、石鎚神社の別当寺とされた時期もあったが、神仏分離令により石鎚山西遥拝所横峰社となり明治末期に再び横峰寺とな...

  • Ehime Prefectural Science Museum
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    4.0
    43 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Ehime Pref. Nihamashi Ojouin 2133-2
    The science museum has three permanent exhibition halls (the nature hall, the science and technology hall and the industry hall) and a huge planetarium 30 meters in diameter which has featured in the Guinness Book of Records. The centerpiece of the museum is a real dinosaur robot that moves. The museum plays host to many temporary exhibitions and hands-on events making it a great place to come for the whole family.

    愛媛県総合科学博物館(えひめけんそうごうかがくはくぶつかん)は、愛媛県新居浜市大生院(えひめけんにいはましおおじょういん)にある博物館だ。 1994年に設置され、当時は世界最大のプラネタリウムとして人気を博した(現在は名古屋市科学館に次いで世界2位) 2021年9月3日、この日は鈍川温泉ホテルに宿泊していた。 チェックアウトし、車で先に進んだ。 この日は、あいにくの大雨だ。 今治市玉川近代美術館...

  • Sugozan Daikakuin Daihoji Temple
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    3.5
    29 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Kamiukenagunkumakougenchou Sugou 1173
    Sugozan Daikakuin Daihoji located in Kumakogen Town, Kamiukena District, Ehime Prefecture is a temple for Shingon sect Buzan school, and the 44th temple which is just a half of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It is well-known as a Henrokorogashi sacred site meaning that the path from the previous pilgrim stamp office called Akashiji is very tough. It has been told that a monk from Paekche (one of the ancient Korean kingdoms) enshrined the Eleven-faced Kanzenon Bosatsu at around the time of the Yamato Court (400-700) and the Monbu Emperor built a temple in 701. Misasagigongen which is said to give divine favor for brain and head diseases, and a statue of Kongorikishi which is designated as a municipal cultural property, are must-sees in the precinct. It is known as a popular place for fall foliage so many worshippers visit.

    第44番札所 大宝寺 こちらも参拝客は少なめでしたが趣はあります。 無料の駐車場からは少し歩きますが雰囲気もあってよかったです。 仁王門が立派で見応えもあり。つるされていた大きなわらじも見ごたえ充分、ゆっくりとお参りできました。

  • Sankakuji Temple
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    4.0
    27 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Shikokuchuoushi Kanadachousankakuji Instep 75
    This temple belongs to the Koyasan-Shingon sect and is located in KanadaTown in Shikokuchuo City, Ehime Prefecture, and it is the 65th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It is said that the Buddhist priest Gyoki laid the foundations for the temple between 729 and 749. The principal image is an 11-faced Kanzeon statue, which is said to have been sculpted by Kukai when he visited the temple. He is also said to have sculpted a statue of Acala and constructed a triangular fire altar and taught the secret “kofuku (surrender) goma” ritual. The 11-faced Kanzeon statue is said to bring good luck, ward off evil, pregnancy, and provide safe childbirth, and many couples visit to pray to be blessed with a child. The temple grounds are also known as a famous viewing spot for wild cherry blossoms.

    他の人のコメントにあるほど、道幅は狭くありません。 駐車場があります。「四国遍路サイト」にあった「名物おばあさん」が気になっていたのですが、代わり(?)のおじいさんが駐車番をしていました。 専用の料金箱にお金を入れると「ありがとう」の言葉があり、びっくりしました。 あの「名物おばあさん」はもういないのでしょうか? 駐車場から急な階段があります。段差がかなり高いので慎重に登ることをお勧めします。 お...

  • Sendan-san Koonj-ji Temple
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    3.5
    36 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Komatsuchouminamigawa Instep 19
    The Sendan-san Koon-ji Temple is the 61st temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. According to tradition, the temple was founded by Prince Shotoku to pray for the recovery of Emperor Yomei from illness at the end of the 6th century, making it one of the most ancient temples in the 88-temple Pilgrimage. Subsequently, when Kobo Daishi was visiting the temple, he met a woman in front of the temple gate who was suffering from a difficult pregnancy; Kobo Daishi burnt sandalwood incense and prayed for a smooth childbirth, and the woman was able to give birth safely; this incident is said to be the origin of the name Endan-san (“Sandalwood Mountain”). Since then, the Koon-ji Temple has been famous as a temple where people go to pray for a smooth childbirth; there is a statue of Koyasu Daishi (a famous monk who is believed to help women in childbirth) just to the right of the Daisei Hall which attracts may worshippers.

    わたし的には四国霊場の中では「敢えて」親しみにくい寺院と云う印象です。東京の都心にあるならこれでもそこそこ良い寺院なんだが、四国の遍路寺としては似つかわしくない寺院の一つです。SDGS、事業継承性からは昨今のご時世、余程の檀家でも抱えていない限りはお寺も未来は無いのでしょうし、木造では相当な技術と資材を注がない限りは、耐用年数にも限りがあり、仕方ないとも云えるが・・・お寺さんとは思えない建物と云う...

  • Maegamiji Temple
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    4.0
    27 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Sunouchi Kou 1426
    This is the head temple of the Ishizuchi sect of Shingon Buddhism and is located in Sunouchiko in Saijo City, Kochi Prefecture, and it is the 64th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It is located at the foot of Mt. Ishizuchi, considered one of Japan’s seven holiest mountains and a quasi-national park. En no Gyoja laid the foundations for the temple, and it was built as a complete seven-structured temple compound under orders from Emperor Kammu (781-806). The imperial family and the feudal lords of the Edo period had a deep connection, and many believers remain today. Near the summit of Mt. Ishizuchi is the Inner Maegamiji Temple, and in July, worshipers wearing white clothing ascend the mountain at the start of the mountain-climbing season.

    約5年ぶりの四国八十八か所めぐりの逆うちは第64番札所・前神寺から再開です。 松山空港でレンタカーを借りて1時間ほどで到着、国道から少し入ったところにあります。 駐車場は無料、本堂までは少し坂道を登っていきますが緑の中を歩くのが気持ちよかったです。 朝からさわやかな気持ちになります。

  • UFO Line (Ino-Cho)
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    4.5
    10 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Agawaguninochou Teragawa
    "This road has a view of Mt. Ishizuchi, western Japan's highest peak and one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains. The road's name derives from the similarity of pronunciation between ""Yuho"", the original Japanese name and ""UFO."" It's a very popular driving route, and it has also appeared in Toyota commercials. The road runs about 27 kilometers through Kamegamori at an elevation ranging from 1,300 to 1,700 meters. Its superb scenery includes Akebono rhododendrons blooming in May, mountain hydrangea in July, and a geranium species called Shikokufuro in August. If your timing's right, September will let you see both colorful foliage and the landscape covered in frost. The road is closed from the end of November to the beginning of April."

    曇り空でよく見られず、晴れていたら視界が開けたかと思います。 狭い林道で、ガードレールがないところもありますから、普段運転しない方は時間の余裕があるがある移動をお勧めします。 空に近いところを走りとても気分が良いところです。車一台がやっと通れる場所もありますので、対向車が来てないか見極めて行けば問題なしです。 時間が許せば瓶ヶ森山に登ると更に素晴らしい景色が見られます。 下山途中、突然うりぼうが崖...

  • Hojuji Temple
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    3.0
    38 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Saijo-shi Komatsucho Shinyashiki Ko 428
    This Buddhist temple is the 62nd temple of the 88 sacred places on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. The temple was built on the order of Emperor Shomu. According to legend, the temple's principal object of worship, a an eleven-faced statue of Avalokitesvara, was modeled after Emperor Shomu's wife, Empress Komyo, and this statue is famously believed to grant worshippers an easy childbirth.

    開創1200年前後にも及ぶ古寺だが、元の鞘に収まったみたいだが、まだまだ、不便をかこっていた時期の期間に比較すると、はい、そうですか!と元のような気持ちで参拝出来る訳が無い。随分と不便を被ったので・・・。それと基本的に、霊場会に加入していれば同じ対応はして当たり前、一つや二つが異なる対応をしていたのでは、ひとつの霊場会とは云えない。訪問する時間帯云々などは理由にはならない、それこそ寺社は普通の家で...

  • Mikkyo-zan Kichijo-ji Temple
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    3.5
    30 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Himi Otsu 1048
    The Mikkyo-zan Kichijo-ji Temple is the 63rd temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage. It is the only temple in Shikoku that has a statue of Bishamonten (one of the Four Heavenly Kings) as the main object of veneration. According to tradition, this dates back to when Kobo Daishi came across a shining Japanese Cypress tree, from which he carved a statue of Bishamonten, before going on to carve Bishamonten’s two attendants—Kisshoten and Zennishi-doji. The entire temple complex was burnt to the ground during Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s invasion of Shikoku in 1585; the Kichijo-ji Temple was rebuilt on a new site in the Edo period. Within the Temple precincts there is a large stone with a hole in it called the Jojuishi (“Stone of Achievement”); it is said that if a visitor inserts their pilgrim’s staff into the hole and makes a wish, the wish will come true.

    別にこの寺院が悪い訳じゃない。例によって、この旧式画一的システムのこのサイトが悪いのだが、いくら検索してもこの吉祥寺の口コミページが出て来ない、最近はこう云う事例が特に顕著。どうでもいいような全国展開のピザチェーン店の愛媛吉祥寺支店が出て来て、肝心のこの遍路寺が出て来ない、そんなはずは無い、私氏自身が以前にも口コミしていたのだから・・・。出鱈目サイトの成せる業と云うか、本当に酷い後進的システム、怒...

  • Ishizuchi Shrine Head Shrine
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    4.5
    25 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Nishida Kou 797
    Mt. Ishizuchi, western Japan's highest mountain, is also known as the Roof of Shikoku. Ishizuchi Shrine worships the holy Mt. Ishizuchi, which is believed to be where the deities dwell. Ishizuchi Shrine is a general term that actually encompasses four different shrines including a shrine at the summit of the mountain, two on the seventh station of the mountain: Jojusha Shrine and Tsuchigoya Yohaiden Hall, and the main shrine located near the National Route. The main shrine, also called the Kuchi-no-Miya Shrine, is located on a hill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea as well as the Shimanami Kaido Road and is the base location for Ishizuchi Shrine. Ishizuchihiko-no-Mikoto is the primary deity of the shrine and is deeply revered, believed to bring peace and prosperity in the household, protection from misfortune, good fortune, and recovery from illness.

    バスを利用して石鎚神社バス停を降りて近くにありました。 石階段をあがると本殿があり、町並みが一望できて良かったです。 御神水もあり、少し頂きました◯

  • Roadside Station Mikawa
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    3.5
    16 Reviews
    Transportation
    Ehime Pref. Kamiukenagunkumakougenchou Kamikuroiwa 2840
    This roadside station is located where the Omogo River and Kuma River come together to form the Niyodo River, known as Niyodo Blue. Built at the Omogo Valley Entrance of the Ishizuchi Quasi-National Park the popular Mikawa Tenobe (hand pulled) Somen noodles is built on the site of a closed local junior high school. The noodles are marked by their strong texture and difficulty to stretch no matter how much time is taken. There are also local products for sale including produce picked fresh every morning, local specialty Mikawa tea, potatoes cooked in miso and other processed goods. There are lots of tourist spots in the area including Iwaya-ji Temple, the 45th temple of 88 sacred places on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, and Mikawa Ski resort, Shikoku's largest, making this a great place to take a break.

    ここは前からある道の駅ですが、2020年5月にリニューアルオープンして、とても綺麗になっていてびっくりしました。 お土産物や食堂、今まで別の建物だった野菜売り場が一緒になりました。野菜は久万の道の駅よりも種類は少な目ですが安い物が多い感じです。 また、ミニコンビニコーナーができて、ジュースや食べ物の種類が増えました。 レストランでは、鳥南蛮定食をいただきましたが、肉が柔らかく美味しかったです。

  • Shikoku Karst Tengu Kogen
    Travel / Tourism
    Kochi Takaoka-gun Tsunocho Yoshiunootsu
    A highland area with magnificent nature that brushes the sky. It has lots of walkways, making it ideal for hiking. If you are lucky, visiting early in the morning will let you witness a sea of clouds spreading below. At night you can enjoy the near endless starry sky. The grasslands will be sure to please year-round.
  • Ishizuchi Tozan Ropeway
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    4.0
    9 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Saijoushi Nishinokawa Shimotani shell 81
    This rope-way cable car leads to the peak of Mt. Ishizuchi, western Japan's tallest sacred mountain. Starting from Shimodani Station at the foot of the mountain with an elevation of 455 meters, the cable car takes an eight-minute trip up to Joju Station at a height of 1300 meters. From the cable car you can look out over nature including the vast Kamegamori forest, and from Joju Station you can also see out to the Seto Inland Sea. As the cable car ascends, a cool breeze fills the car, even during the summer season, and there's a picnic area which has the Japanese Horned Beetle Dome, where you're almost guaranteed to see a horned beetle. During the summer and fall season they offer a popular Mt. Ishizuchi Star Night Tour, showing off the nightscapes and the starry heavens where you can take an exciting stroll under the stars.

    ロープウェイ乗場の近くに有料駐車場があります。寂れた観光地感はありますが、11月中旬は紅葉で素晴らしいロケーションでした。

  • Ishizuchi Shrine Chugu Jojusha
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    4.0
    20 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Saijo-shi Komatsucho Ishizuchi 422
    This shrine is located about seventh station of Mt. Ishizuchi in Ishizuchi, Komatsu-cho, Saijo City. Together with the Chojosha at the peak of the mountain, the Tsuchigoya Yohaiden hall located halfway up the mountain, and the Honsha (main shrine) at the base of the mountain, it forms part of Ishizuchi Shrine. Mt. Ishizuchi is the sacred mountain of Ishizuchi Shrine and where the shrine’s deities reside. The name “Jojusha” comes from the words spoken by En no Ozunu, the founder of the Shugendo sect of mountain asceticism, after establishing the shrine on Mt. Ishizuchi. Legend has it that the he spoke the words “Waga negai joju seri” (my wish is fulfilled) while looking up at the mountain’s summit with reverence from where the shrine’s grounds currently stand.

    石鎚山ロープウェイの山頂成就駅(標高1300m)から徒歩25分程度で当神社(標高1450m)に到着できます。石鎚登山の小休憩時に名前が成就社ということもあり登山の成功を祈り参拝しました。登山をする人のほかにも一般の参拝客が散見されました。

  • Nishiyama Koryu-ji Temple
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    4.5
    14 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Saijo-shi Tanbaracho Kota 1657
    This Buddhist temple is located in Kota, Tanbara-cho, Saijo City. According to records, the temple was founded in 642, and it is counted as one of the temples on the Shikoku 20 Bekkaku Temple Pilgrimage of temples founded by the great monk Kobo Daishi. The temple grounds are home to numerous cultural properties, and have also been designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the prefecture. The grounds are particularly famous as a place where visitors can take in beautiful autumn scenery during the fall foliage season.

    仏法山仏眼院興隆寺(ぶっぽうさんぶつがんいんこうりゅうじ)は、愛媛県西条市丹原町古田(えひめけんさいじょうしたんばらちょうこた)にある真言宗醍醐派の寺だ。 本尊は千手千眼観世音菩薩(せんじゅせんげんかんぜおんぼさつ) 通称「西山興隆寺(にしやまこうりゅうじ)」といい、四国別格二十霊場第十番札所、四国三十六不動尊第二十二番札所、四国(東予)七福神(えびす)、伊予道十観音霊場第二番札所になっている...

  • Kaminomachi Museum
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    4.0
    15 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Shikokuchuo Kawanoecho 4069-1
    This museum is located in Kawanoe-cho, Shikokuchuo City. It features exhibits about the paper products of Shikokuchuo City, which is Japan’s biggest paper producer, as well as how they are made. The museum also hosts a variety of events including special exhibitions, seminars, and papermaking classes. Visitors can also purchase a variety of paper products at the museum shop.

    紙の町川之江らしい博物館です。 入場無料ということもあり、近くを通った際にふらりと立ち寄りました。 紙だけに関する資料館なので、あまり期待していなかったのですが、良い意味で裏切られました。 紙って奥深いものだと感心しました。 また、最近はコロナと関係で「不織布」に対する感心が高まりましたが、そういったことも知ることができました。 紙製品も販売していますので、お土産に紙製品というのも良いと思います。

  • Hirose Memorial Museum
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    4.5
    9 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Nihamashi Uwabara 2-10-42
    The Hirose Memorial Museum is dedicated to Hirose Saihei, the first president of the Sumitomo corporation, who made an important contribution to Japan’s industrialization and modernization from the last years of the Tokugawa shogunate through into the Meiji period. The Museum has photographs and video footage etc. relating to Mr. Hirose’s career and the modernization of Japan.

    田舎の古い日本家屋って単なる古民家だと思っていたら、かっこよすぎて、しびれた!!古いだけじゃない。粋で渋くてかっこいい!!計算されたデザインでした。畳の部屋って、なかなかいいじゃない?木と土と紙と石の家。冬は寒いと思うけど、それも渋い!!

  • Jofukuji Temple
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    3.5
    8 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Pref. Shikokuchuoushi Kawatakichoushimoyama 1894
    "A Shingon Buddhist temple located east along National Route 192 traveling from the Mishima-Kawanoe Interchange. Known as the Tsubakido (the ""Camelia Hall""), the temple is the 14th temple on the Shikoku 20 Bekkaku Temple Pilgrimage. According to legend, when the great monk Kobo Daishi was visiting the area, he heard a terrible fever was epidemic, and so he took his cane and sealed the evil spirits behind the illness in the ground. A camellia tree grew from the cane, thus giving rise to the temple's nickname, and even today visitors will find a huge camellia growing on the grounds. A statue of Kobo Daishi is located at the foot of the tree, and it is said that touching the statue with your right hand while touching a place on your body where you are experiencing pain with your left and praying will cause your pain to go away."

    四国別格の二十霊場を参拝されています多くの方が、御朱印とお数珠玉をいただく方が多いと思いますが、その親玉をいただけますのは、現在、この椿堂さんです。お忘れないように気を付けてください。

  • Kuma Kogen
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    5.0
    1 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Ehime Kamiukena-gun Kumakogencho
    This town is located in central Ehime prefecture. It's surrounded by outstanding natural scenery, with the Shikoku Karst field, one of Japan's three largest, western Japan's tallest peak of Mt. Ishizuchi, and Omogokei gorge, the source of the Niyodo River. It offers a taste of nature year round, with its average height of 800 meters resulting in a cool climate that's perfect for outdoor activities like mountain climbing, skiing, and delicacy hunting.

    ご夫婦二人で老後の楽しみに…と花桃を植え始めたのが始まりだそうです。 満開の様はまさに桃源郷の景観です。 手作りの展望台から観る満開の花々は本当に絶景ですよ!! 園主のおばあさんはにこやかな笑顔で迎えてくださいました。 おじいさんにはご挨拶できず… ご近所の方?たちも誘導やお接待の手伝いをされていて、自家製のホットゆずジュースを振る舞ってくださいました。 ミツバチがたくさん飛んでいましたので...

Ehime Areas

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Stretched across the northwest corner of Shikoku island, Ehime is a nature-rich prefecture boasting beautiful coastlines and a rural center where mountains play host to 26 of the Buddhist temples that make up the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Matsuyama is home to an original post-feudal castle as well as Dogo Onsen, one of the country’s oldest natural hot springs. The northern city of Imabari marks the entrance to the Shimano Kaido, a road that crosses six spectacular bridges and several islands, forming a route between Shikoku and mainland Honshu.

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