Check out Race Report #01 here.
https://globalride.jp/trip-travel/ehimemonitortour24_01_en/
1. ITOMACHI HOTEL0（Iyo Saijo City）
2. Ishizuchi Mountain’s UFO Line (Saijo City, Kumakogen Town)
3. Ozu Washi and Ukai Houseboat Cruise (Uchiko Town, Ozu City)
On the morning of the third day, refreshing light streamed into the hotel room, promising a good start to the day. Glimpses of the long-awaited blue sky through the window made waking up even better. The “ITOMACH HOTEL0 (Zero),” which opened in 2023 in Iyo Saijo City, is an eco-friendly complex hotel committed to low environmental impact through zero-energy operations. It features a stylish select market and restaurant showcasing local Ehime products, offering a fresh approach to travel.
The group enjoyed a delightful evening here, indulging in Italian cuisine made with local ingredients. After a restful sleep and a pleasant morning accompanied by a delicious breakfast and a relaxed coffee break, they began preparing for the day’s ride.
ITOMACHI HOTEL0
https://itomachihotel-0.com/
A sharp contrast to the coastal rides of the Seto Inland Sea over the past two days, today’s theme is the mountains of Ehime. From the hotel, the distant ridges of their destination stood out, framed against the vibrant blue sky. At the center loomed Ishizuchi-Yama (Elevation 1,982 meters), the tallest peak in western Japan, its jagged summit piercing the heavens. Revered as a sacred mountain since ancient times, it has long been a focal point of Japan’s mountain worship. Legend has it that the great ascetic monk Enno Ozunu protects the mountain as a celestial guardian, or “Great Tengu.”
The participants showed a particularly keen interest in the stories of Japan’s unique syncretic mountain spirituality. As they set their sights on this sacred peak, there was an air of reverence among them. Adding to the solemn mood was the day’s route—a challenging 130 km featuring the steepest climb of the journey. Perhaps some of their seriousness stemmed from the anticipation of a grueling yet rewarding day ahead. With mixed emotions, they began to pedal forward, ready to face the adventures awaiting them.
The first goal of the day is one of Shikoku’s most iconic mountain scenic routes, aptly named the “UFO Line” (Chōdō Kamegamori forest Road). Contrary to what its name might suggest, it’s not because UFOs frequently visit, but rather derived from Yūhō (雄峰), meaning “majestic peaks,” in reference to the stunning ridges of the Ishizuchi Mountain Range. Most of this area is designated as a national park, featuring lush forests and valleys that nurture diverse plant life.
The winding road ascends the valleys in a series of switchbacks, challenging us to climb steadily while catching our breath. Morning dew glistens on the asphalt, reflecting the sunlight as the shadows of our wheels glide over it. As we gain elevation, our breathing and heartbeats quicken with the climb. Looking up to distract from the effort, we are greeted by late-autumn scenery—trees still ablaze with vibrant foliage, despite it being late November, and the fallen leaves creating a colorful mosaic on the road. A late autumn like this has its own charm.
Though the summit is still far ahead, it’s hard to resist stopping repeatedly to capture the stunning mountain vistas unfolding at every turn. Fortunately, everyone is moving at a similar pace, so no one falls significantly behind. We pedal on, savoring every moment of the journey. It becomes clear to the group that the secret to truly enjoying this mountain lies in embracing a relaxed and steady rhythm.
As we enjoyed the forest tunnel dappled with sunlight, we arrived at the gate marking the entrance to the mountain path. In truth, everything leading up to this point had been a luxurious prelude to the UFO Line. This spot, at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters, marks the beginning of the route’s true essence. The winding road snakes higher up the colorful alpine slopes, cutting through photogenic tunnels carved into rocky ridges and skirting precipitous cliffs that seem to hang in the sky.
I climbed in a pack with Will, our guide, and Damian from Australia. Through breaks in the trees, layers of mountain ridges stretched into the distance, their interplay of shadows offering a feast for the eyes. The mountain path was calm, with no wind, enveloped in stillness; even their breathing echoed clearly. Though each was pushing themselves, smiles persisted—an incongruous but heartwarming sight that I couldn’t help but capture on camera. There was no doubt in my mind that these visitors from distant lands had fallen in love with this mountain.
As we gained altitude, the dense beech and fir trees became increasingly sparse, giving way to fields of low shrubs like birch and kumazasa bamboo grass, interspersed with an abundance of alpine flora. The gradient softened, and the path rounded out, offering an ever-expanding view. A solitary road stretched out along the ridgeline, as if leading to the heavens. The 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains was flawless, the perfect centerpiece of the spectacular UFO Line.
I instinctively reached for my camera, but just as I did, a thick white veil engulfed the scene, completely obscuring the view. It seemed we had been swallowed by a dense fog, as though clouds passing over the ridge had descended upon us. Enveloped in the mist, the UFO Line took on a mysterious aura. Cooper, the spiritual enthusiast from Mexico, muttered excitedly to himself while aiming his analog camera into the fog. This atmosphere, no doubt, was part of what had drawn ascetic monks to this mountain since ancient times. In the ethereal haze, reminiscent of a vision of the great tengu spirit, Cooper and I were lost in a dreamy world, taking photos. Suddenly, the clouds dispersed as quickly as they had come, sunlight pouring down and pulling us back to reality. Feeling as though we’d been momentarily tricked by the tengu, we stood in awe once again before the breathtaking 1,700-meter-high panorama that had reappeared.
UFO Line (Kamegamori Forest Road)
https://www.inofan.jp/spot/recommended/n474/
Having conquered the exhilarating hill climb of the “UFO Line” (Kamegamori Forest Road), the group reluctantly bid farewell to the heavenly heights and began their descent. They navigated the long, invigorating downhill through brilliant autumn foliage with careful teamwork in a well-coordinated train, eventually gliding into the valley spread out at the southern base of Ishizuchi-Yama. This was Omogokei, the largest gorge in Shikoku, cradled deep within the Ishizuchi mountain range and renowned as a pristine water source.
The group, which had momentarily scattered along the route, regrouped on a bridge overlooking Omogokei’s towering rock walls. At a quaint teahouse nestled in the valley, they enjoyed a late lunch featuring Japanese cuisine. Chestnut rice, mountain vegetables, mushroom dishes, and sweetly simmered trout were among the traditional fare of Japan’s mountain regions, all deftly handled with chopsticks. Their conversation blossomed into a lively reflection on the hill climb they had just completed.
With approximately 70 kilometers remaining to the day’s destination of Uchiko, the route promised a delightful downhill ride through a gorge steeped in the rustic charm of Japan’s mountain villages. This region, rich in the imagery of rural Japan, was often depicted in the works of Kenzaburo Oe, the Nobel laureate born and raised here—a fact some participants were excited to recognize. As the multinational cycling train sped down the valley, the group pondered the unique way Japanese mountain village life, through both words and lived experience, resonates globally.
Omogokei
https://kuma-kanko.com/spot/spot26/
After completing the epic “UFO Line” ride and spending the night in Uchiko, the group embarked the next day on a leisurely 50-kilometer ride exploring the central Ehime landmarks of Uchiko Town and Ozu City. Beyond the region’s renowned natural beauty, it has long been a hub of wood and paper industries and an important logistical point at river confluences. These industries and geographic advantages have fostered a rich and unique history and culture.
Today, the area is widely recognized both domestically and internationally as a pioneering model region for sustainability, dedicated to preserving and advancing its heritage. The acknowledgment of this blend of tradition and innovation is a point of pride for the region and Ehime as a whole. Determined to experience the local-global charm firsthand, the group set off toward the streets of Uchiko.
They passed through the historic preservation district, where the old highway’s character remains strong, and ventured into the surrounding countryside for a ride through lush satoyama landscapes. Gravel roads and short climbs worked up a refreshing sweat before they arrived at Ozu Washi, where they experienced traditional papermaking and foil stamping. The day’s adventures continued with visits to Ozu’s historic district, the iconic Ozu Castle, and a cormorant fishing cruise on the Hijikawa River.
Although this was meant to be a recovery day, the group found themselves delightfully overwhelmed by the wealth of cultural and natural experiences packed into the ride.
What left a strong impression were the efforts of overseas immigrants like Vincent from Spain, who guided us through Ozu Castle and the historical district, and Will from the UK, who organizes cycling tours based in Uchiko. Their dedication to regional revitalization is evident, as is their deep love for the area. The impact of their presence in drawing not only foreign cyclists but travelers in general to the charm of Japan is immeasurable. What was supposed to be an easy ride turned into a day of truly connecting with the heart of Ehime.
At this point, we felt fully immersed in Ehime’s allure, yet this was only the halfway mark. Looking ahead to tomorrow’s route along the Nishi-Iyo coastline with its cape-hopping adventure, we’re buoyed by the continued sunny forecast. All signs point to another spectacular seaside ride, one distinct from the Shimanami experience.
The tour report is now entering its final chapter—stay tuned for Part 3, the concluding installment!
To be continued…
🚴♂️Ehime Prefecture Presents Cycling Monitor Tour Report for International Media #02
#01 Imabari City Area
#02 Iyo Saijo City ~ Mount Ishizuchi ~ Uchiko
Profile
下城 英悟
1974年長野県生まれ
IPU日本写真家ユニオン所属
2000年フリーランスとして独立、幅広く写真・映像制作を扱うグリーンハウススタジオ設立
ライフワークとしてアンダーグラウンドHIPHOP、世界の自転車文化を追いかける
Post Date：2025.02.13
