Uwa Basin Four Seasons Road

Nearby sightseeing spots

• 1

  Starting point: Kamiuwa Station

  This will be your starting point. Proceed north, parallel to National Highway 56 and the Hiji River, towards the Tosakatoge Pass. You can also get here by JR as a limited express train stops at the Unomachi Station, the station next to Kamiuwa Station, about once an hour.

• 2

  Grain elevator

  This building represents the Uwa Basin, a rice-growing region and a leading farming belt in the Prefecture. Continue for a while through the peaceful countryside while viewing the grain elevator. You will see a carpet of Chinese milkvetch flowers in spring and ears of rice in summer.

• 3

  Sekijiike

  This is a little off-track from the Shikokunomichi (Shikoku Trails), but the Sekiji Pond is a reservoir with a circumference of approximately 2.4 km and boasts a water volume of 1 million tons. It was built in Kanei 21(1644) and expanded to its current size in Showa 37 (1962). About 500 Sakura (cherry blossom) trees bloom around the pond in spring, and the Sakura festival is held around April.

• 4

  Rest Area for Pilgrims

  There is a pavilion here. From this point, two trails head towards Ozu: a mountain trail that crosses Tosakatoge Pass, and a route that follows National Highway 56 Tosaka Tunnel. Going through the tunnel which is 1,117 meters long shortens the distance and you will reach about 30 minutes faster. However, there are no walkways in the tunnel and many cars pass through at very high speeds, so please be very careful and make sure that you bring a flashlight or other such device when going through the tunnel.

• 5

  Ozu-han Torisaka Entrance

  Former Border Checkpoint House
  For 30 years from the Tenpo era (1830 to 44) to the beginning of the Meiji era, this was the location of the Ozu-han Torisaka Entrance Border Check Point House, and, to prevent the illegal outflow of people and goods, Ozu-han built the Torisaka Entrance Border Check Point House at this location, which was a strategic point on the Uwajima Highway. At that time, travelers were subject to strict regulations when passing through the Torisaka Entrance Border Check Point House, but pilgrims were able to pass through with relative ease.

• 6

  Tosakatoge Pass

  Tosakatoge Pass is a mountain pass at an altitude of 470 m located on the border between Seiyo City and Ozu City, and the altitude difference between it and the ruins of the Ozu-han Torisaka Entrance Former Border Checkpoint House is approximately 200 m. This is a pilgrimage road (Shikokunomichi (Shikoku Trails)) and also served as the main road connecting the Uwajima and Ozu domains, and was a key transportation point used by the Uwajima feudal lords for their alternate attendances. On this pass, there are three stone Buddha statues. The stone Buddha in the center is engraved with the words "Statue of Fugen Enmeiji - Security for the nation, peach for the world."

• 7

  Nittensha

  As you cross the Tosakatoge Pass and descend through the planted cedar forest, you will see a dilapidated shrine in the middle of the trees. This is Nittensha. The shrine has a small Hokora (small shrine) surrounded by natural stones, where Nitten Gatten is enshrined. It is said that ancient people worshiped the sun and moon as the most sacred elements in the world.

• 8

  End point: Torisaka Tunnel Bus Stop

  Cross the mountain pass and come down to National Highway 56. You will be able to see the Ozu-side entrance of the Torisaka Tunnel. If you are heading in the opposite direction, this information board will serve as a landmark. From here, please proceed along the national highway for some time.