Ishizuchitozan Ropeway Sanchojoju Station

The Ishizuchitozan Ropeway connects the valley base to Sanchojoju Station, roughly halfway up Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan at 1,982 meters. From the upper station, a network of trails continues through dwarf pine and exposed rock toward the summit, which requires pulling on iron chains fixed to near-vertical cliff sections. The ropeway ride takes ten minutes and rises through a forested slope with views opening as altitude increases. In autumn the upper slope changes color before the valleys below, and in winter snow can close the higher trails. The summit area holds a small shrine, and pilgrims in white make the climb year-round.