Mount Ishizuchi

At 1,982 meters, Ishizuchi is Shikoku's highest peak and one of Japan's Seven Holy Mountains, known for having the island's earliest autumn foliage, which begins at the summit in early October and moves down the slopes through the month. A ropeway carries visitors halfway up to the Ishizuchi Shrine Joju-sha, where the surrounding mountain views are already vast. Those continuing to the summit climb four massive iron chains bolted into the rock face. On clear days, the Misen peak offers a 360-degree view of the autumn colors stretching to the Seto Inland Sea.