Shikoku Karst

One of Japan’s three major karst landscapes, alongside Hiraodai in Fukuoka Prefecture and Akiyoshidai in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Shikoku Karst stretches across Ehime and Kochi prefectures. It spreads across rolling hills at elevations of 1,000 m to 1,500 m, and its open landscape offers sweeping 360-degree views on a scale so vast it is known as the “Road in the Sky.”

At “Himezurudaira,” where magnificent natural scenery unfolds, a peaceful pastoral scene of grazing cattle can be seen from spring to fall. In summer, you can enjoy hiking in the cool air while admiring delicate alpine flowers in bloom, or experience outdoor activities at the adjoining campground.

At “Tengu Highlands,” located at the eastern edge of Shikoku Karst and spreading gently from the 1,485 m summit of “Tengu no Mori,” you can enjoy charming scenery filled with natural forests of white birch and Japanese red pine. “Keyakidaira” is a forest bathing spot where you can see giant zelkova and Japanese horse chestnut trees that are Approx. 200 to 600 years old. If you follow the well-maintained walking trail for about 2 km, you will reach “Inofushi no Otochi,” a giant Japanese horse chestnut tree Approx. 600 years old at the end of the trail, whose immense size is truly impressive.