{{Short description|Highest mountain in Shikoku}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Mount Ishizuchi | other_name = 石鎚山 | image = Mount Ishizuchi.jpg | elevation_m = 1982 | elevation_ref = <ref name="peaklist">{{cite web|url=http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/japan.html|title=Japan Ultra-Prominences |publisher=Peaklist.org|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref> | prominence_m = 1982 | prominence_ref = <ref name="peaklist"/> | map = Japan | map_caption = Japan | label_position = right | listing = Ultra, Ribu | location = On the border of Saijō and Kumakōgen, Ehime, Japan | range = Shikoku Mountains | coordinates = {{coord|33|46|03|N|133|06|54|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = <ref name="peaklist"/> | topo = | type = Ruins of old volcano(extinct) | age = | last_eruption = 15,000,000 years ago | first_ascent = | easiest_route = | image_caption = The highest peak of Mt. Ishizuchi }}
{{nihongo|'''Mount Ishizuchi'''|石鎚山| Ishizuchi-san}} is a {{convert|1982|m|ft|0|adj=mid|-high}} mountain on the border of Saijō and Kumakōgen, in Ehime, Japan. This mountain is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan. It is the highest mountain in Western Japan and the island of Shikoku. It is regarded as a sacred mountain.
Once upon a time it was a stratovolcano with large scale magma activity. Over time the magma activity ceased and it became extinct with no eruption activities in the past 10,000 years or recent signs of eruption.
== Outline == 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 {{nihongo|stone hammer|石鎚|ishizuchi}}.
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 {{nihongo|Seven Holy Mountains|七霊山|nana reizan}}. There are several sets of {{nihongo|heavy iron chains|鎖|kusari}}, the longest set being {{convert|68|m|ft}}, 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.<ref>{{Citation |url=https://d-museum.kokugakuin.ac.jp/eos/detail/?id=8584|title = "Ishizuchi Shinkō" - Mountain Beliefs and Practices |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Shinto |publisher=Kokugakuin University |first=Suzuki |last=Masataka |access-date=2021-08-18 }}</ref> 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 == * Sanchōjōju Station of Ishizuchi Ropeway * Ishizuchi Tsuchigoya Bus Stop of Iyotetsu Bus
<gallery perrow=> Image:Ishizuchi1.jpg|Mount Ishizuchi from South Image:Ishizuchi Shrine on the mountaintop.jpg|Top of Mount Ishizuchi Image:Ishizuchi3.jpg|A view of the middle of the mountain Image:Ishizuchi4.jpg|A stone wall of the mountain Image:Mt. Ishizuchi from Joju Shrine.jpg|Mt. Ishizuchi from Joju Image:Iron chains on Mt. Ishizuchi.jpg|People ascending via the iron chains </gallery>
==Footnotes== {{Reflist}}
== References == * [http://www.city.saijo.ehime.jp/soshiki/kanko/theishizuchimountains.html Guide to the Ishizuchi Mountains (Saijo City)] * [http://watchizu.gsi.go.jp/watchizu.aspx?id=50335005 the Geographical Survey Institute in Japan] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110605062245/http://www.biodic.go.jp/jpark/qnp/isizuti.html Ishizuchi Quasi-National Park] * [https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4333017076 ‘Yama to Shinko: Ishizuchisan’]
== External links == {{Wikivoyage|Mount Ishizuchi}}
{{100 Famous Japanese Mountains}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ishizuchi}} Category:Mountains of Ehime Prefecture