Mt Bandagamori 蟠蛇森 (769m) Day Hike
Amon Bradshaw This hike to Mt Bandagamori (蟠蛇森, 769m) is a 6.1km return hike with a solid 648m of elevation gain that starts and finishes at the Sodayama Shrine (桑田山神社) (or the…
Mt Kobiso 小檜曽山 (1550m) Winter Hike
This 5.2km day hike to Mt. Kobiso (小檜曽山, 1550m) crosses the prefectural border into Tokushima and gives a great view to Mt Miune, Tenguzuka and the Iya Valley. It is…
Elliot’s Map of Shikoku Campsites
Compiled by a long term resident of Kochi, Elliot, and added to by us this map highlights some of the best campsites in Shikoku’s Ehime and Kochi prefectures. Camping is…
Washioyama 鷲尾山 (303m) Day Hike
If you’re looking for a day hike or trail run with great views while you’re in Kochi City Mt Washio (or Washioyama) at 303m is a solid option. The hike…
We created a map of the best hikes in Shikoku
Hiking all of Shikoku’s beautiful mountains in one lifetime might just be impossible – but if you’d like to try this list will provide you a good place to start.…
Mt Kanbo 寒峰 (1604m) Iya Valley Day Hike
If you’re the kind of person that to escape the tourist traps and have a bit of adventure this day hike in the (increasingly) famous Iya Valley is for you!…
Mt Ishizuchi 石鎚山 (1982m) Day Hike
If you’re searching for hikes in Shikoku, you’ve probably heard of Mount Ishizuchi in Ehime. Standing at 1,982m, it may not be the tallest in the world, but its legendary…
Sasagamine 笹ヶ峰 (1860m) via Kampuzan 寒風山 Overnight Hike
Sasagamine (笹ヶ峰, 1860m) is spectacular but challenging hike in Shikoku with an old mountain hut at the top that was once a ski resort! This is one of the few…
Mt Kuishi 工石山 (1176m) Easy Day Hike
Not to be confused with the nearby (and more remote) mountain of the same name Oku-Kuishiyama, Kuishiyama is a 1176.4m peak located in the mountains north of Kochi city on…
Kurozou Marshlands 黒沢湿原 & Tabinoshiri たびの尻滝 Iya Valley Hike
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…
Mt Oku-Kuishi 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 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…