Driving in mountains for Ishizuchi: a spiritual area where visitors can be healed and energized

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　Furuiwaya (Rocks)

Designated a National Site of Scenic Beauty in 1944, Furuiwaya also became part of Shikoku Karst Prefectural Natural Park in 1964.

Designated a National Site of Scenic Beauty in 1944, Furuiwaya also became part of Shikoku Karst Prefectural Natural Park in 1964. Through water erosion, exposed layers of rock dating back 45 million years have formed stunning and unusual formations.

Oddly-shaped conical rock formations, which have been named Senkutsu-iwa, Tsurigane-dake, and Katsura-dake, can be seen. Unusual vegetation such as orchids (dendrobium) and pine grow on the surface of the rock. Famous for its autumn leaves, a lot of people visit here in fall.

Open hours

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Price

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Parking lot

Parking lot available (Charge)

Address

Naose, Kumakougen town, kamiukena gun

Contact information

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About 30 minutes (By Car)

　Omogo Mountain Museum

The history of mountaineering and hiking around Mt.Ishizuchi and Omogo valley, as well as samples of local flora and fauna, are on permanent display.

The history of mountaineering and hiking around Mt.Ishizuchi and Omogo valley, as well as samples of local flora and fauna, are on permanent display. Visitors can get a vivid sense of the local environment from the topographical model of Omogo and a diorama of Ishizuchi-san.

On the second floor, a display showing the geological history of Mt. Ishizuchi and Omogo valley can be seen, alpine flora and insects, as well as a diorama showing the ecology of the Ishizuchi mountain range. On the third floor is a display on the culture of mountain worship of Mt. Ishizuchi and a local history of mountaineering. Three or four exhibitions are held annually, and during summer vacations there are several workshops on various topics such as the local insect life.

Open hours

9時30分-17時00分 (Admission is till 16時30分)
(closure Monday) Monday opens a public holiday.
(closure Saturday, Sunday, and a public holiday from December to March)
(closure Year ends and New Year holidays)

Price

Adult/ 300yen, Schoolchild and Junior high school student/ 150yen
Group discount 20 or more persons/ discount 50yen
The aged and Handicapped/ 150yen

Parking lot

10 cars

Address

650-1, Wakayama, Kumakougen town, Kamiukena gun

 

Contact information

Telephone number 0892-58-2130
Fax number 0892-58-2136

Web

https://www.kumakogen.jp/site/omogo_sangaku/＜外部リンク＞

Mail

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About 5 minutes (By Car)

　Omogokei (Omogo Valley)

One of Japan's top 100 nature sites, Omogo Valley can be found to the south of Mt.Ishizuchi.

One of Japan's top 100 nature sites, Omogo Valley can be found to the south of Mt.Ishizuchi. Surrounded by a sea of trees, the valley has several outstanding sights, the Kamebara (tortoise belly) Cliff of granite, Tora-ga-Taki (Tiger Waterfall) along the Omogo River, and the oddly-shaped Yoroi Rock and Kabuto Rock by the Teppoishi River (tributary).

There are two very scenic routes along the valley: along the Omogo River with great views of dramatic rock cliffs and waterfalls, and a route along the tributary Teppoishi River with fantastically shaped rocks and boulders around which flows crystal clear water. In the fall, a lot of tourists come to enjoy the sight of the leaves turning red and gold in the valley.

Open hours

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Price

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Parking lot

70 cars

Address

Omogo Mountain, Wakayama, Kumakougen town, Kamiukena gun

Contact information

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about 35 minutes (By Car)

　Kokumin Shukusha (Lodge) Ishizuchi

A local government-subsidized hotel lodge near Mt.Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan, 1,500m above sea level.

A local government-subsidized hotel lodge near Mt.Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan, 1,500m above sea level. Convenient for climbers and hikers for overnight stays or just taking a break, as it is just on the mountain trail. Enjoy a "nabe (casserole)" with pheasant, duck or wild boar, while relaxing in a tatami room.

As the top of Mt.Ishizuchi can be reached in just for two hours from the lodge, it is a very convenient place to stay or take a break. When the weather is good, there is also a great view of the Seto Inland Sea, and look out for the beautiful flowering rhododendrons in spring.

"A lot of visitors come in May, July, and October to use this lodge as a base for climbing trips."

Open hours

From April to November (Vacationless during a period)

Price

Stay/ 6,800yen～ (It contains Dinner and Breakfast.)
Pheasant and Duck or Wild boar One-pot dishes (From 2 persons to 3 persons)/ 5,775yen
Pheasant and Duck or Wild boar One-pot dishes (From 5 persons to 6 persons)/ 10,500yen

Parking lot

About 30 cars

Address

Tsuchigoya, Kumakougen town, Kamiukena gun

Contact information

Telephone number Fax number 0897-53-0005

Web

http://tutigoya.com/( External link )＜外部リンク＞

Mail

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About 70 minutes (By Car)

　Kuma Museum of Art

Founded on March 23 1989, the museum's collection was a donation from a local business person from Kumakogen Town.

Founded on March 23 1989, the museum's collection was a donation from a local business person from Kumakogen Town. The permanent exhibition contains around 70 art works featuring Japanese modern oil paintings, as well as calligraphy, paintings and ceramics related to the region ranging from the early modern to the modern period. A special exhibition once a year shows some works on loan from other museums.

Featuring Japanese calligraphy and paintings, ceramics, and sculpture, the museum has works by Kaita Murayama*1, Tetsugoro Yorozu*2, Toshiyuki Hasegawa*3, Yuichi Takahashi*4 etc. The single-storey building has white plaster walls, unusual for a museum, and is constructed using cedar and cypress wood special to Kumakogen.
*1 Painter from Aichi Prefecture
*2 Painter from Iwate Prefecture
*3 Painter from Kyoto Prefecture
*4 Western-style painter active from the end of Edo to mid-Meiji era

Open hours

9時30分-17時00分 (Admission is till 16時30分)
(closure Monday) Monday opens a public holiday.
(closure Saturday, Sunday, and a public holiday from December to March)
(closure Year ends and New Year holidays)

Price

Adule/ 500yen, High school and College student/ 400yen, Schoolchild and Junior high school student/ 300yen
Plan exhibition is another charge
The schoolchild and junior high school students of the Kumakougen Town are no charge.

Parking lot

About 45 cars (Free)

Address

1442-7, 2bankouchi, Sugou, Kumakougen town, kamiukena gun

Contact information

Telephone number 0892-21-2881
Fax number 0892-21-1954

Web

https://www.kumakogen.jp/site/muse/＜外部リンク＞

Mail

art@kumakogen.jp

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About 25 minutes (By Car)

　Tobe Tsukiage Fault Park

The main feature of this park is a reverse fault where older, lower layers of rock have been pushed up and over newer, higher layers on the median tectonic line that cuts across Japan.

The main feature of this park is a reverse fault where older, lower layers of rock have been pushed up and over newer, higher layers on the median tectonic line that cuts across Japan. Known as the Tobe-Shojo Fault, the rock has been exposed through erosion from the Tobe River. It was designated a natural monument in 1938.

In the tranquil ambience of this riverside park, visitors can enjoy seasonally changing landscapes with cherry blossom in spring, wisteria in early summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snow in winter. The view is especially good from the suspension bridge and arbor in the center of the park.

Open hours

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Price

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Parking lot

Parking lot available

Address

450, Iwataniguchi, Tobe town, Iyo gun

Contact information

Telephone number 089-962-6010

Web

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Mail

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　Kuma Kogen Hometown Tourist Village

Since it opened in 1977, buildings such as traditional farmhouses, shrines and warehouses, have been relocated to Kuma Kogen Hometown Tourist Village so as to reproduce the traditional life-style in the rural area.

Since it opened in 1977, buildings such as traditional farmhouses, shrines and warehouses, have been relocated to Kuma Kogen Hometown Tourist Village so as to reproduce the traditional life-style in the rural area. There are also a mountain village museum, water mill as well as cottages for rent, a meeting center with accommodation, a campsite, cafeteria, planetarium, and astronomical observatory.

With accommodation facilities including cottages for rent and a campground (open from the end of April through the end of November), visitors can take time to enjoy the wonderful natural surroundings at their leisure. As there are a hiking trail, festival plaza for open-air events, planetarium, and astronomical observatory, it is popular not only for families who want to stay a while, but also group and company retreats. Depending on the season, there are always plenty of different things to do and see; the spring May Festival, stargazing in the summer, the multi-colored leaves in fall, and the snowy landscape in winter.

Open hours

8時30分-17時00分 (closure Monday and The day following the public holiday)(closure Year ends and New Year holidays)
11時00分-16時00分 (Restaurant)

Price

Sanson-historykan/ Free (Other institutions needs charge)
Pheasant One-pot dishes udon Table d'hote/ 1,050yen
Kumayama Table d'hote/ 1,260yen～
Furusato Table d'hote/ 1,260yen～
Handmade sherbet/ 200yen

Parking lot

About 100 cars (About 10 Large car) 

Address

488, Shimohatanokawa, Kumakougen town, Kamiukena gun

Contact information

Telephone number 0892-41-0711
Fax number 0892-41-0840

Web

https://kuma-kanko.com/spot/spot379/＜外部リンク＞

Mail

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　Local Produce House, Midori

We are located along Prefectural Route 12 Saijo Kuma Road, near the Kuma Museum of Art.

We are located along Prefectural Route 12 Saijo Kuma Road, near the Kuma Museum of Art. Fruit and vegetables from Kumakogen Town are sold here. There is also a small cafeteria. Visitors can have a tour of the food processing facility.

At the market section, fresh local fruit and vegetables, as well as processed food using fresh produce are sold. In the cafeteria section, we offer such food as our special Yomogi (mugwort) udon and various sweet bean desserts using local adzuki beans. We also have a stone oven by the building where visitors can have their own pizza made with local produce as toppings, Mountain Treat Pizza (by appointment, for a fee).

"We offer safe vegetables produced in Kumakogen Town."

Open hours

8時30分-17時00分
(closure Monday and The day following the public holiday)

Price

Yomogi(Midori)Udon/ 420yen, Yomogi(Midori)Udon Table d'hote/ 630yen

Parking lot

About 50 cars(Free)

Address

2-1439-1, Sugou, Kumakougen town, Kamiukena gun

Contact information

Telephone number 0892-21-0503
Fax number 0892-21-0919

Web

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Mail

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　Omogo Furusato Roadside Service Area

This service area is on the way to Mt.Ishizuchi and Omogokei valley.

This service area is on the way to Mt.Ishizuchi and Omogokei valley. A variety of foods such as grilled freshwater fish, home-made steamed buns, rice cakes, and fresh vegetables are available for purchase.

On the Momiji Road, a good place to buy local produce from Kuma Kogen such as seasonal vegetables and sansai (wild vegetables). You can also enjoy delicacies such grilled freshwater Amago (trout) and Ayu (sweetfish).

Open hours

8時30分-15時00分 (closure Tuesday)
(closure from December to March)

Price

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Parking lot

About 70 cars

Address

26, Ainoki, Kumakougen town, Kamiukena gun

Contact information

Telephone number 0892-58-2440

Web

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Mail

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GoogleMaps( External link )＜外部リンク＞

Kosai Canal

This irrigation canal was built in the Edo Period by Kosai Yamanouchi with his own money, in order to help local farmers who suffered water shortages upstream of the Kuma River. It has been designated a historic site by the prefecture.

Daihoji Temple

This temple is the 44th of the 88 stations of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Built by the Myojin brothers of Ukyo and Hayato in the year 701 CE, or the first year of the Daiho era in Japanese old calendar, hence its name. The path from Meisekiji Temple, the 43rd site, to Daihoji Temple is one of the steepest and most difficult stages of the pilgrimage and is known as Henro-Korogashi (the downfall of pilgrims).

Agripia, Kuma Agricultural Park

Enjoy strawberry picking from November to July (exact dates subject to change, booking and entry fee applicable). The strawberry farm is designed to make fruit picking comfortable and ease back-strain. In the Fureai Plaza, Donguri tomatoes* harvested locally are available for purchase.
* Donguri (acorn) tomato, named by a junior-high school student in Kuma Kogen, has a pleasant balance between sweetness and astrigency.

Iwayaji Temple

This temple is the 45th site of the 88 stations of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, said to be founded in the year 815 CE. Kobo Daishi, one of Japan's most well-known monks described this area in a poem "As the morning mist of the valley against a tall mountain resembles an ocean, the wind blowing through the pines is like a wave in the sea." That is why the mountain is named Mt. Kaigan (sea shore).

Omogo Dam Park

The park is adjacent to the Omoga Dam. The Shikisai suspension bridge over the reservoir is a stress-ribbon design with a total length of 136 meters; the longest of its kind in Shikoku, and the third longest in the country.

Kamegamori (Mountain)

This is the third highest peak after Mt.Ishizuchi and Mt.Ninomori in the Ishizuchi mountain range. The summit of Meyama is about 1,896 m above sea level. The ridge line from the relatively flat crest extends to the peak of Oyama. The crest is covered with striped bamboo bushes, where fir and hemlock trees grow in clusters and the white bleached trunks of dead trees makes for a stunning landscape.

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