Mt Iyo-Fuji

Mt Iyo‑Fuji (Japanese: 伊予富士山) is a sanbyakumeizan* that rises on the western side of the Ishizuchi range as one of Shikoku’s most graceful highland peaks, a mountain whose long, sloping western face resembles a miniature Fuji when seen from the Iyo side. It's not an isolated summit but one crest along the Ishizuchi massif, yet its balanced form and open ridgelines give it a distinct identity. The mountain’s topography is gentle and expansive with broad grassy slopes and a summit that opens toward both the Seto Inland Sea to the north and the Shikoku mountains to the south.

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Several main climbing routes lead to Iyo‑Fuji, each offering a different angle on the mountain’s open highlands. The easiest and most popular approach is from the Higashi‑Kurokawa trailhead, a short, steady climb that is the course I chose. This route follows a gentle ridge and is suitable for beginners, offering wide views toward the Ishizuchi range as the forest gives way to open bamboo grass. Despite the clouds, I remember expansive views over the wild central part of Shikoku. A longer and more substantial ascent begins at the old Kanpuzan Tunnel south entrance.  

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This was a gentle and enjoyable hike that I was able to fit in at the end of a longer climb of nearby Ishizuchi (石鎚山).

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* 300 famous mountains of Japan

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(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)