■Tengu dake Peak

Mt. Ishizuchi, known as the roof of Shikoku, is the tallest mountain in western Japan, at 1,982 meters above sea level. When the weather is good, one is able to see as far as the Chugoku and Kyushu regions, as well as the scenery in Seto inland seas over the dense forests.

Mt. Ishizuchi is worshipped as one of the seven sacred mountains in Japan together with Mt. Hakusan in Kaga, Tateyama in Echu, Daireizan and Shakadake both in Yamato, Fuji in Suruga and Daisen in Hoki. Typhoons are rarely able to strike Saijo City due to Mt. Ishizuchi's location and Mt. Ishizuchi is known as Saijo City's guardian angel.

Located on one of the paths up the mountain there are climbing chains known as the "Trial chain," "First chain," "Second chain," and "Third chain." They are rarely seen nationwide. A detour route allows one who does not have much confidence in his physical strength to climb the mountain.

Climbing the Ishizuchi is quite enjoyable during any season of the year with beautiful and dramatic scenery of Kamegamori hills, Mt. Iyo-fuji, etc.

A graceful ridge starting from Mt. Sasagamine at 1,860 meters above sea level and leading to Mt. Ishizuchi through Kamegamori hills is called "a grand mountain of Iyo." From base to summit, the climb will take about two and half hours.

The top of the peak is 1,897 meters above sea level and it has gentle slopes that are fully covered with Veitch's bamboo. There are natural forests of Japanese fir trees and hemlock trees, scattered with beautiful white dead woods. It offers a panoramic view of the nature of the region, rightly called a panorama of Shikoku. From base to summit the climb will take between four and five hours.