Getting to Mount Ishizuchi & Saijo
Every practical way to reach Mount Ishizuchi & Saijo from Matsuyama and the main gateways, with times, rough costs and how to get around once you arrive.
Saijo is on the JR main line between Matsuyama and Okayama. The mountain is reached from Saijo by bus to the ropeway, or by car to either trailhead.
Routes to Mount Ishizuchi & Saijo at a glance
| From | How | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matsuyama | JR limited express to Iyo-Saijo | About 1 h | Shiokaze / Ishizuchi, roughly hourly |
| Okayama | JR limited express Shiokaze | About 1 h 45 min | Direct; connects with the Shinkansen |
| Iyo-Saijo Station | Bus to Ishizuchi Ropeway | About 55 min | Only a few buses a day; around ¥1,000 each way |
| Matsuyama | Car to the ropeway | About 1 h 30 min | Expressway to Iyo-Komatsu IC, then a valley road; paid parking |
| Matsuyama | Car to Tsuchigoya | About 2 h – 2 h 30 min | Via Kuma Kogen, Omogo and the Ishizuchi Skyline; closed in winter |
| Osaka (Nanko) | Overnight Orange Ferry to Toyo | About 8 h | Arrives early morning at a port in Saijo; connecting bus |
Times are typical journey times; fares are rough guides. Timetables change every spring — check the operator before you travel.
By public transport
Take a limited express to Iyo-Saijo, then the Setouchi Bus bound for Nishinokawa, getting off at the ropeway stop. There are only three or four buses a day in each direction, and a day hike from Matsuyama depends on catching the first one — check the timetable carefully and note the time of the last bus down. Staying in Saijo, or at Joju, the night before removes the pressure.
By car
A car gives you the choice of trailheads. For the ropeway, leave the expressway at Iyo-Komatsu and follow the Kamo River valley for about 40 minutes. For Tsuchigoya, drive through Kuma Kogen to Omogo and climb the Ishizuchi Skyline. In autumn-colour season both car parks fill by mid-morning at weekends.
Getting around Mount Ishizuchi & Saijo
On the mountain you walk. In Saijo, the uchinuki water walk, railway park and the nearer shrines are all on foot from the station; rental bicycles are available for the harbour and Isono Shrine. Five temples of the Shikoku pilgrimage (numbers 60 to 64) are scattered across the city, including Yokomine-ji, high on the mountain’s northern flank.
Ready for Mount Ishizuchi & Saijo?
Lock in a guide, a tasting or a day trip for Mount Ishizuchi & Saijo now — most GetYourGuide bookings can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before.