[Ehime] A cycling course to enjoy nature and head to the sacred mountain Sasayama in Ainan Town

Ainan Town is a small town with a population of about 18,000 located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku. There is no train service, and it takes about two and a half hours to get there from the nearest Matsuyama Airport, making it one of the farthest towns from Japan's capital, Tokyo. However, Ainan Town has many tourist spots that even Japanese people don't know about.

In this article, we will introduce a cycling course that takes you to the little-known sacred mountain of Sasayama in Ainan Town, where you can fully enjoy nature.

• Table of Contents
• Enjoy the scenic cycling scenery of Ainan Town | Where can I rent a bicycle?
• Japan's traffic rules to know before you leave
• Cycling to the sacred mountain Sasayama
• Enjoy the nature of Ainan Town on an E-BIKE!

Enjoy the scenic cycling scenery of Ainan Town | Where can I rent a bicycle?

Bicycles can be rented from the Ainan Town Tourism Association located in Minami-Rek Misao Park. E-bikes are recommended for long rides or when climbing steep hills.

Follow the rules and enjoy safe and fun cycling!

Operating hours: 9:00-17:00
Regular bicycles are 500 yen, electrically assisted bicycles are 1,000 yen, and E-BIKEs are 1,000 yen for 4 hours and 2,000 yen for 8 hours.

Ainan Town Tourism Association Official Website

Japan's traffic rules to know before you leave

To enjoy cycling safely and with peace of mind, it is important to follow traffic rules. Below are some basic rules.

1. Principles and exceptions for riding on the road

The general rule is to ride on the road : keep to the left. On roads where there is a distinction between the sidewalk and the road, ride on the left edge of the road.

2. Rules at intersections

Obey traffic lights and stop signs : At intersections with traffic lights, obey the traffic lights.

3. Obligation to Drive Safely

Nighttime Lights : Headlights and taillights (or reflectors) must be on at night.

No drinking and driving : You must not drive while under the influence of alcohol.

4. Prohibited matters

Prohibition of riding with two people (riding beyond the capacity) : As a general rule, riding with two people is prohibited. Also, two or more vehicles must not be driven side by side. Violation of the safe driving obligation : Driving while holding an umbrella, using a mobile phone, or using headphones or other devices that prevent you from hearing surrounding sounds is prohibited.

Cycling to the sacred mountain Sasayama

9:00 Departure from Ainan Town Tourism Association

So let's take a bicycle trip around this town surrounded by blue seas and lush mountains.

9:30 Arrive at Green Fresh Market

Immediately after starting, you will come to a path along the Sozu River where wild birds roam. Listening to the murmuring of the river, you will run about 2km along a straight promenade.

After crossing the bridge and driving a little further, you will see the Midori Shinsen Market. Local farmers and fishermen bring in fresh vegetables picked that morning, seasonal citrus fruits (especially Ainan Gold), freshly caught seafood, and there is also a wide selection of homemade prepared foods and processed goods. The mornings are a particularly good time to visit, as you can enjoy seasonal mountain and sea produce, have the peace of mind of knowing the faces of the producers, and are a direct sales store that is packed with delicious things, encapsulating the essence of Ainan Town.

The surrounding quiet rural scenery is impressive, and there are toilets, making it an ideal place to take a break during your cycling trip.

10:30 Scenery on the way①

Once you pass through Midori Shinsen Market, you'll suddenly find yourself surrounded by the world of satoyama, a rural mountain village. This is a section filled with sunlight filtering through the trees, offering a refreshing natural atmosphere.

The first half of the trail is a tough climb of about 1km, but once you get past that, you can enjoy the scenery and make your way along at your leisure. It's a quiet trail with clear mountain air and the sounds of birds chirping.

At the end, you will have to climb up to the Shinonami Tunnel, but after that you will descend straight to the Sasayama area.

11:00 Arrive at Yamabiko Cafe at the foot of Sasayama

We arrived at Yamabiko Cafe at the foot of Sasayama.
On the 10th and 20th of every month, ladies from the Sasayama area will host a welcoming reception, and you can enjoy a luxurious breakfast for just 300 yen.
The steep slope begins from here, so take a leisurely break and enjoy a delicious meal.

12:30 Scenery on the way②

If you continue driving from Yamabiko Cafe, you will be driving on a narrow road that is barely wide enough for one car to pass. Visibility is poor and there is a chance that a car may pass by, so please drive carefully.

Riding while listening to the murmuring of the river on your left will help you forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

The mountain path continues to be steep, but be sure to take breaks here and there as you climb.

13:30 Arrive at Shirataki Falls, which flows from the sacred Mount Sasayama

After passing through a steep mountain road, you will arrive at a large parking lot.
On the left you can see Shirataki Falls, which flows from the sacred Mount Sasayama.
The water falls 50 meters, and the stream that falls straight down along the rock face among the greenery of the mountains is just as beautiful as a white cloth hanging down.

Sasayama is a sacred place of mountain worship that belongs to Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park. It has many attractions, such as Sasayama Shrine, the ruins of Kanzeonji Temple, and a large colony of Akebono azalea, and has been selected as one of Japan's 300 famous mountains.

If you take the path to the right from the parking lot, you will arrive at the trailhead for Sasayama. If you are interested in mountain climbing, please come and visit us.

There is also a gazebo near Shirataki, so you can take a break and enjoy the view before heading back.

15:00 Arrive at Ainan Town Tourism Association

The trip ends with a leisurely stroll along the coast at dusk. The sky and sea are dyed orange, and the light sparkling between the waves creates a mystical sway. The beauty of this scene makes you want to come back again.

Enjoy the nature of Ainan Town on an E-BIKE!

The course introduced this time is a course where you can enjoy the sacred mountain Sasayama in Ainan Town and the unspoiled scenery that you won't find in the city. If you want to see the unspoiled scenery of Japan, if you want to be soothed by Japanese nature, or if you want to go to places that even Japanese people don't know about, then be sure to enjoy cycling in Ainan Town!

Learn more about Ainan Town