Location: Saijo
Top Things to do in Saijo
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Top 10 Things to do in Saijo, Japan
Saijo in Japan, from Asia region, is best know for Mountains. Discover best things to do in Saijo with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Saijo
1. Mt. Ishizuchi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By Alissa G - Toronto, Canada
Mt. Ishizuchi (the name means stone hammer) is the tallest mountain in Western Japan, and one of the holly Mountains. You can take the bus from Matsuyama to one of the paths, or take the train to Saijo and then take the bus from there. If you are feeling up to it, you can start the climb from the bottom, but the cable car takes about 700m up, and well worth it.
The climb itself is fairly easy, with several rest areas and little snack shops on the way. But you can also climb up using massive chains (don`t do it if you are afraid of heights). Once you get to the top, the view is amazing!
2. Railway History Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Sue S - Irvine, California
I'm no railroad fan, but the museum, with FIVE actual trains displayed, kept me engaged. My husband, an engineer, was like a kid in a candy store, sitting behind the wheel and checking out all the controls.
Don't miss the beautiful diorama with model trains passing through tourist attractions in Ehime prefecture. And make sure you do your share of "cosplay" by putting on a train conductor's uniform and hat. We got some great photos!
$3.00 admission is a steal. You won't regret visiting this museum!
3. Yokomineji
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Chook1 - Sydney, Australia
We are semi-walking pilgrims wandering along the Shikoku 88 Temple walk. We do not expect to complete the 88 Temples on this trip and for the most difficult temples (and Temple 60, Yokomineji, is one of them) we use a combination of feet and public transport.
This is a hard to get to Temple but well worth it. Serene, high in the Mountains, scenic, peaceful. Take a jumper/fleece even on warmer days the weather can be unpredictable. I endorse the other reviews listed here. I would like to explain how to get to the Temple by public transport and suggest a time frame.
We travelled from Saijo City. We think to do this trip you need to overnight in Saijo (we were at the Saijo Urban Hotel directly opposite the station - easy!
Firstly, go the Tourist Information Centre, a block to the right of the JR Saijo Station. The have a "mud map" in Japanese but easy enough to follow with their help. One can catch a bus (bound for the Rope Way at Mount Ishizuchi) at 7:47 am and 10:27 am - there are later buses but these are too late for either Yokomenineji Temple or Mount Ishizuchi, unless you are staying overnight, on the mountain. Buses leave from stand 2 directly in front of the station.
It is important when you get on the bus to go to the driver with the map from the Tourist Information and show it to him. He will understand what to do, but sit at the front of the bus so he remembers you. You want to get off at a bus stop called "Yokomine TosanGuchi", say that to him. The fare is 620 JPY.
When you alight, cross the road, up the side road ( 3 minutes easy) and there is another bus station where you catch a shuttle service directly to the Temple. The connecting bus will be waiting for the connection so don't dawdle, or it may leave without you and you will have to wait. There are departures for the shuttle bus at 8:14 am and 10:54 am. Don't try any later or you will run out of time. The driver will indicate return times for you get back to Saijo - don't worry. The return fare is a hefty 1750 JPY or there abouts (as you will see compared to walking it is worth very Yen). Buckle up for a most adventurous drive, if you get car sick on winding roads my advice is don't go by bus.
To save being rushed on the mountain itself I strongly suggest that you depart Saijo at 7:47am, that allows you to connect to the shuttle at 8:14am. Return to the shuttle bus station (ask the driver what time) in time to walk back to the highway (to bus stop "Yokomine TosanGuchi" on the other side of the road of course. The bus to Saijo will arrive at 12:29 and you will be back in Saijo at 12:56. The next departure time is much later at 3:44pm.
Hope this helps other walking/public transport pilgrims, and others.
4. Kamegamori Forest
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By PatMo84 - Ehime Prefecture, Japan
Known as the "UFO Line" (probably because you are up in the sky), the road that winds through the mountain ridge line here is utterly beautiful. Above the tree line, the road meanders high up on the hillsides with views that stretch across the Mountains of Ehime and Kochi prefectures. Be sure to try to go on a clear day. Having a car is necessary, though it could be equally fine by bike.
There are many places to park and take in the views, and hiking trails lead up all over the place to the peaks. We stopped on the southern side of Kamegamori Mountain at the large parking area and hiked up, (about 40 minutes each way, not too strenuous). There is also a campground and mountain hut a short hike from here.
5. The Central Shrine of Ishizuchi Jinja
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
6. Maegamiji Temple
Overall Ratings
4 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Chook1 - Sydney, Australia
We are walking and using public transport to make the 88 Temple pligrimage. Today we had a slow day. We caught a train to Iyo-Himi (Station Y33, Jr Yosan Line, local train) and walked a very short distance to Kichijoji (Temple 63) and then about 3.2 kms on a local road running parallel to Highway 11 to reach Maegamiji. Just look for the henro markers along the way.
Maegamiji was damp after a heavy shower just before we arrived. There was water dripping off the trees and the water falls were full. We found this a very serene Temple and there is much to explore. As usual just sitting and listening to the chant of the sutras of other pilgrims is a great way to relax and be in this place. Even if you are not doing 0-henro we recommend this Temple for a visit.
Afterwards we walked to the highway (a block or two away) and to the right you will see a yellow building that had a wonderful lunch of Chan buckwheat noodles (no Engish but good photos and assisted by a photo translation service on our phone we were fed wonderfully).
Now to finish the day, walk to the front of the restaurant and look almost straight ahead. You will see the Sento sign on a car park - the Yunotani Onsen - local, full of characters and a very welcome hot bath after a wet day. Inexpensive as well but if you just want to refresh your feet there is a free foot onsen just outside of the entrance.
To return you can walk to the Ishizuchiyama Station about 0.5km for return local train to your lodgings.
7. Nishiyama Koryuji Temple
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By お遍路さん京都市 - 京都市
この寺院も境内までのアクセスはかなりしんどい。開創後１４００年近くも経過している古寺、古刹です。数々の文化財はこの寺院が誇る縁起を象徴しているようで・・・。夏季限定とのことでしたが、約５０人の宿泊に対応出来る施設があります。ここの名物は山菜精進料理と湯豆腐ですが、宿泊同様に、事前に予約しておかないと対応されません。お寺の方の話によると紅葉の季節には全山が色づき、遍路さんだけでなく、一般のトレッキング、ハイキング客も多数が押し寄せるとのこと、今日は私一人だけでしたが・・。
8. Ishizuchi Shrine Jojusha
Overall Ratings
4 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By bestregards f
Accessible by cable car, we decided to hike it (about 4km steep up). The arrival is quite disappointing with a few quite ugly buildings with touristy shops (nice though to be able to buy a deserved ice cream on the way back down from the summit!). But the shrine in itself is set beautifully with a fantastic view on Ishizuchi summit through the shrine. So focus on the shrine and the mountain!
The hike up to the summit is great and inspiring. We even wrote a blog post about it!
Bestregardsfromfar
9. Kichijoji
10. Koenji Temple
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By お遍路さん京都市 - 京都市
四国霊場の遍路寺には向かない建物の寺院。確かに、合理的で便利は良い、一つの場所で本堂、大師堂と云われてもイメージは全く湧いてこないが・・。ここは聖徳太子が建立した、と云うことは少なくても１４５０年は経過している霊場会でも屈指の古寺。途中、四国の破壊者兼放火魔の長曾我部元親によって焼失させられた経緯も有する寺院。それにしてもこの建物は・・・・？とても何度来ていても馴染めるものではない。
