2025 Kumakogen Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Shikoku Karst stretches across the border between Ehime Prefecture and Kochi Prefecture. This karst plateau, located at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,500 meters, is one of Japan's three major karst landscapes. The scenery here is reminiscent of Switzerland, offering breathtaking views and opportunities to enjoy nature. The green meadows are dotted with white limestone rocks, and grazing cows add a pastoral charm to the area. Driving or touring through the 360-degree panoramic views is highly recommended! Each season brings its own unique beauty: fresh greenery in spring, Hime lilies and Hankai daisies in summer, silver grass in autumn, and snowy landscapes in winter. At Tengu Plateau, you can experience a sea of clouds, a star-filled night sky, and hiking along the Forest Therapy Road. 📍Location: Nishitani, Kumakogen Town, Kamiukena District, Ehime Prefecture

🇯🇵 [Ehime] National Treasure (Main Hall)!!! Daihoji Temple (^^) It is located at the end of the approach surrounded by giant cedar trees that are hundreds of years old, and a dignified atmosphere spreads in the silence (^^) The largest straw sandals of the temple are donated to the mountain gate, and the quaint grounds create a mystical atmosphere that naturally heals the mind and soul (^^) It is a popular temple that is worshiped as a Buddha who is said to be a blessing that excavates illnesses and evil spirits from the body (^^) [Location] 2-1173-2 Sugo, Kumakogen-cho, Kamiukena-gun, Ehime Prefecture [Access] About 7 minutes by car from Kumakogen Town Hall #0 yen trip

📍Omogo Dam There is a park along National Route 494 near Omogo Dam. Omogo Dam Park was developed upstream of Omogo Dam, which is filled with abundant water. The Shikisai Bridge (second photo), a suspension bridge over the lake in the park, was made using a special construction method called the tsurishoban method, and is the longest in Shikoku and the third longest in Japan. Shikisai Bridge is a great photo spot. From the lakeside, you can see the Ishizuchi mountain range, and you can relax surrounded by the majestic mountains that are over 1,500 meters above sea level. #0 yen trip February 2025

📍Okawamine Okawamine - Manten Spot One of the Okawamine mountain ranges located at the northern end of the Shikoku Karst, with an altitude of 1,525m. Climbing the nature-filled prefectural road Yanagidani Mikawa Line, there is a place where the view suddenly widens around 1,400m above sea level. The scenery of deep pink azaleas growing in a field of bamboo grass is worth seeing. The beauty of the approximately 5,000 "Tsurugi Mitsuba Azaleas" that have begun to dye the mountainside reddish purple is breathtaking. The Tsurugi Mitsuba Azaleas will bloom in May. #0 yen trip February 2025

🇯🇵 [Ehime Prefecture] Shikoku 88 Temples, 45th Temple, Kaiganyama Iwaya-ji Temple This Shikoku 88 Temples, 45th Temple, Kaiganyama Iwaya-ji Temple is a historic mountain temple (^^) The temple grounds, surrounded by a vast rock formation and virgin oak forest that overwhelms the viewer, are designated as a national scenic spot, and the Daishido Hall in the temple grounds is also designated as an important cultural property of the country (^^) We recommend wearing sneakers. Please go and check it out (^^) [Location] 1468 Nanadori, Kumakogen-cho, Ehime Prefecture, 791-1511 [Parking] Available. Paid. #0yentravelFebruary2025

📍Furuiwaya Furuiwaya, with its series of conglomerate peaks, is a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves. The flowers change with the seasons, and it is also recommended to observe nature on the promenade amid the rich surrounding nature. A popular spot for viewing autumn leaves that is easy to access, located along Prefectural Route 12. You can enjoy the majestic conglomerate peaks and the splendor of nature in every season. If you want to observe the flowers blooming on the rock surface, we recommend bringing a telescope. The highlight is the view from Naose River, which you can see by descending from the parking lot! Rare plants such as rock pine, Dendrobium moniliforme, and Uchoran grow naturally on the rock surface. #Free hotel stay

📍Sea of ​​clouds at Kumakogen Koya Observatory The town overlooking the observation deck is a wonderful view. You can enjoy the starry sky, sea of ​​clouds, ginkgo forest, and nature that can only be experienced here. At the end of November, the morning was forecast to be the coldest of the season, so I headed to Koya Observatory in Kumakogen Town, thinking that I might see a sea of ​​clouds. When I passed through the tunnel on the Misaka Road and entered Kumakogen Town, fog appeared. When I arrived at the site where I had taken a photo of the misty autumn leaves at Kirara Forest at the entrance to Koya Observatory, a sea of ​​clouds appeared all over the place under clear skies. Sunrise and sea of ​​clouds. It was a truly fantastic view. #Free hotel stay

📍Kuma Bronze Corridor and Kochi Autumn Foliage Tour An art museum like a hideaway in a quiet, deep green forest. The wonderful location and artworks match well to enrich your mind and body. You can take photos of all works, both domestic and international, including those by Yabuuchi Satoshi, the creator of "Sento-kun," and Ruano. Located inside Kuma Country Club, this museum where you can enjoy sculpture and nature has a large number of works on display, mainly bronze statues. Located in a hilly area, you can experience art while enjoying the rich nature, and many people visit throughout the year. The autumn scenery of the Kuma Bronze Corridor is also popular. From mid-November to late November, the metasequoia tree-lined path of Kuma Country Club, which can be accessed from National Route 33, turns brown in autumn. Metasequoia is a deciduous tree native to China that is called a "living fossil." It's rare to see rows of metasequoia trees in Ehime, and the sight is truly spectacular. Why not go and see the spectacular autumn foliage that only tall trees can offer this fall?

📍Nojiri Cafe A newly opened old-style cafe in Kumakogen-cho, Ehime Prefecture. They serve a weekly lunch using seasonal ingredients. It was full of customers and several customers had to be turned away, so reservations are a must. You can enjoy homemade lunch and sweets in a warm and relaxing cafe space renovated from an old-style house. The store was originally an old house, and was renovated with the help of a construction company. The lunch menu is only a daily lunch, and the contents change weekly. Serving hours are from 11:00 to 14:00. The lunch menu is posted on a blackboard outside the store. The lunch is voluminous and the ingredients and seasonings are carefully selected. It was a very delicious and warm cafe. By the way, the cafe menu starts being served from 14:00. #Free hotel stay

📍Kamihatanogawa, Kumakogen Town Buckwheat flowers are a seasonal feature of autumn in Kumakogen Town, Ehime Prefecture. The delicate white flowers decorate the mountain village, and the pure white scenery is impressive! It can be enjoyed until early October! Buckwheat flowers are annual plants of the Polygonaceae family, and bloom from May to June and August to September. Small white or pale pink flowers bloom in a raceme at the tip of the stem. They are also characterized by their large heart-shaped leaves. Here you can enjoy the white flowers! #Free hotel stay

📍Shikoku Karst Campsite Himezuruhira Campsite 🏷️〒060-0001 11-chome, Kita 1-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 🚶♀️ [Access from Matsuyama] From Matsuyama city, take National Route 33 towards Kochi Turn left at the Yanagidani Ohashi intersection in Yanaigawa, Kumakogen Town From the huge loop bridge take National Route 440 Take Prefectural Route 303 and then Prefectural Route 383 (Shikoku Karst Transverse Road) which crosses Shikoku Karst *Both Prefectural Route 303 and Prefectural Route 383 (Shikoku Karst Transverse Road) may be closed in winter. Also, if the weather is bad, you will not be able to see anything due to the fog, so check the weather forecast and live camera 　 500 yen (tax included) per tent, 500 yen (tax included) per car camping, 500 yen per group for day camping *Reservations are not accepted, only direct reservations are accepted. *If you come outside Himezuruso's opening hours, please deposit your money in the night reception box to the right of the main entrance. 🕐Check-in: None Check-out: None Saturday, April 6th - early November 📝 (Notes) - Please be sure to take home all garbage, including trash, cans, bottles, and used charcoal. - Open fires and fireworks are prohibited. - Food, firewood, and charcoal are not sold at the facility, and camping equipment is not available for rental. There are also no baths or showers. - Listening to loud music and eating and drinking loudly into the night are prohibited. #Free hotel stay

📍Kirara Forest, Ehime Prefecture A photo spot with over 700 broadleaf trees, including Japanese maples, spread out on the slope along the prefectural road. Since the Kuma Lions Club was dissolved, it is now managed by the town as town property. When the sunlight shines down, the colored leaves seem to sparkle. Taking a deep breath with the autumn leaves makes you feel like your soul is being cleansed. Wear comfortable shoes and enjoy it as if you were on a light hike. There are relatively few visitors in the morning, so get up early and go. #0yentripJanuary2025

Himezuruhira in Ehime is a particularly popular spot in the Shikoku Karst. In early summer, fresh greenery spreads across the land, and you can encounter a spectacular view of blue skies and green grasslands. At an altitude of about 1,400 meters, the plateau is pleasantly warm with a refreshing breeze blowing through it. The sight of grazing cows leisurely grazing is like a painting. You can also spend special time with family and friends in the open space perfect for strolling and picnics. In the evening, the beautiful sunset paints the plateau, creating a romantic atmosphere. Enjoy a refreshing trip to Himezuruhira, where you can become one with nature! #Ehime's Spectacular View #Shikoku Karst #Early Summer Nature #Domestic Travel Trip #Himezuruhira

I went to Shikoku Karst, one of the three major karsts in Japan 🚶🏻 The winding roads on the way here made me tired, but the moment I arrived at Himezuruhira, all that tiredness disappeared (lol) The scenery makes me feel like I'm overseas, even though I'm in Japan 🏞️ While being soothed by the great outdoors, I enjoyed the things you can enjoy here, such as milk ice cream and karst coffee 🍨 It's on the border between Ehime Prefecture and Kochi Prefecture, so it was interesting to know that with just one step you can go to a different prefecture 🍁 #ShikokuKarst #ShikokuTrip #Ehime #Kochi #MilkIceCream #KarstCoffee #FamilyTrip #SwitzerlandOfJapan #Fritavi #0YenTripAutumn

Shikoku Karst is located on the border between Ehime and Kochi prefectures. It is one of the three major karsts in Japan and has the highest altitude of the three. You can also see the white rocks and cows that are characteristic of the karst plateau🐄 The blue sky and green grassland will definitely open your mind☝🏻 Take photos of the cows on both sides of the road you are driving on! 👍 ✈︎ーーーーーーーーーーーーーー✈︎ We are a couple living in Kansai who love to travel👫💕 We are looking for spots to introduce on our trip! Tag us with #travel! We will share it with you! ! If you have any recommended places, please let us know in the comments🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️ #coupletrip #ehimetrip #trip #anniversarytrip #coupletrip #datespot #date #recommendedfordates #mountainclimbing #greatview #Quintessacampaign