Kurozou Marshlands 黒沢湿原 & Tabinoshiri たびの尻滝 Iya Valley Hike
Amon Bradshaw The Kurozou Marshland (Kurozou Shitsugen or 黒沢湿原) is a mountain marshland and is one of the coolest things to do in the Iya Valley. My first impression when driving into…
Mt Higashi-Akaishi 東赤石山 (1706m) to Besshi Mine 旧別子銅山跡 Hike
Mt. Higashi-Akaishi (東赤石山, 1706m) is a great moderate difficulty hike that overlooks Ehime and the coastal cities near Shikoku’s Seto Ohashi Bridge and sea. Overview This is a 14km overnight…
Mt Tenguzuka 天狗塚 (1812m) via Mt Miune 三嶺 Overnight Hike
This beautiful but challenging 18.5km+ overnight hike to Mt. Tenguzuka starts at the Iyashino Hotel and Onsen (いやしの温泉郷) near Nagoro-mura (名頃 aka the Doll Village) in the Iya Valley. The…
Finding the source of the Yoshino River
The Yoshino River, arguably best known for it’s popularity as one of Japan’s best rafting rivers, is the only river in Shikoku that touches all four prefectures. It’s rocky base…
What to wear hiking in Japan
Deciding what to wear when hiking is a challenging (but very important) task. In Japan the weather can change at any moment and if you pack the wrong clothing you…
Mt Okukuishi 奥工石山 (1516m) Day or Overnight Hike
If you want to experience a drive through old Japan this is for you. This remote and off-the-beaten track hike to Oku-Kuishiyama (奥工石山, 1516m) also known as Tajikawa Kuishiyama (立川工石山)…
What gear to pack for a hike in Japan?
Even if you’re a seasoned hiker in your home country it is important to be aware of the differences between hiking in Japan and other places like Australia, New Zealand…
Mt Sanboji 三傍示山 (1105m) & Sasagamine Pass 笹ヶ峰 Three Prefectures Hike
This 8km return day hike to Sanbojiyama passes along a section of the old Tosa Highway (Tosa Kaido 土佐街道), via Sasagamine Pass (笹ヶ峰峠) and a point where the three of…
To-do: 3 Peaks of the Tengu Highlands 天狗高原
Straddling the border of Ehime and Kochi Prefectures, the Shikoku Karst sits at an average altitude of 1,000 to 1,400 meters. Known for its distinct white limestone outcroppings, open alpine…
To-do: Sasayama 篠山 Easy Hike
Mt Sasayama 篠山 is a 1,065m peak on the border of Ehime and Kochi prefectures, known for being the home of the ancient Kan’on-ji temple ruins (観世音寺跡) founded by Kobo…
To-do: Mt Nakatsumyojin 中津明神山 Hike
Nakatsuyama 中津山 also often seen as Nakatsumyōjin 中津明神山 (or just Myōjin) is a 1,541m peak on the Ehime/Kochi border which offers a short but steep 4km hike through tranquil forest…
To-do: Mt Imose 妹背山 Hike
Imoseyama 妹背山 is a 404m peak on Okinoshima 沖の島 off the coast of Sukumo City in Kochi prefecture. It stands out as the only peak in Kochi on the Shikoku…
To-do: Mt Sanbongui 三本杭 & Onigajoyama 鬼ヶ城山 Hike
Mt Sanbongui 三本杭 (1,226m, also known as Nametokoyama 滑床山) and Mt Onigajoyama 鬼ヶ城山 (1,151m) are two prominent peaks in southern Ehime/Kochi offering sweeping views stretching across to the the Uwa…
To-do: Mt Iyofuji 伊予富士 and Nishikuromori 西黒森 UFO Line Hike
Having previously hiked to Mt Kamegamori, conveniently located just of the spectacular UFO line, I plan to return to tick off two mountains I’ve driven right by many times… Mt…
To-do: Mt Inamura 稲叢山 Hike
Inamurayama 稲叢山, also known as Onijō-zan 鬼城山, is a 1,506m peak located north of Kochi city offering a scenic 3.6km to 5.5km hike through beech forest, waterfalls, and steep cliffs…