Mount Ishizuchi is the highest mountain on the island of
Shikoku and also the highest mountain west of
Mount Haku. It is known as 'the roof of Shikoku' and the sharp, rocky summit resembles a huge . Mount Ishizuchi is an important object of worship in this region and one of the major centers of
Shugendō, a sect of mixture of
Shinto and
Buddhism. At the top of the mountain there is a small shrine called the Ishizuchi Shrine. This mountain is also known as one of . There are several sets of , the longest set being , leading up to the summit and this is the route many pilgrims opt to take. However, it is possible to hike all the way to the peak along a trail which includes stairs and ramps with handrails. The climbing season opens every year on July 1, and women are forbidden from climbing the mountain on this day. Between mid-October and mid-November, people come from far and wide to view the
autumn colours. The area around Mount Ishizuchi is a major part of the eponymous
Ishizuchi Quasi-National Park. == Access ==