What this area is like
Niihama grew around the Besshi copper mine, now a theme park with ruins in the mountains, and its taiko float festival in October is spectacular. Saijo has spring water flowing up all over town and Mount Ishizuchi, western Japan’s highest peak.
Plan your visit
Limited expresses from Matsuyama reach Niihama in about an hour; the Ishizuchi ropeway is reached by bus from Iyo-Saijo.