Shikoku Karst Driving Guide: Tengu-kogen, Himetsuru-daira and Onogahara with Map

The Shikoku Karst area is a plateau of limestone grassland that spans Kumakogen Town and Seiyo City in Ehime Prefecture and Tsuno Town and Yusuhara Town in Kochi Prefecture. From Tengu-kogen in the east, through Godan-kogen and Himetsuru-daira, to Onogahara in the west, the plateau is linked by Prefectural Road 383 (the Shikoku Karst Park Road, 14.8 km). This page sets out a one-day drive that climbs from the Kochi side, runs west along the plateau and comes down on the Ehime side, and lists the roads and places to stop.

Map of the Shikoku Karst area

The line on the map is the route described below under "First visit: one day from Tengu-kogen to Onogahara". The numbers are places to stop: green for views and nature, blue for roadside stations (michi-no-eki). Hover over or tap a number to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: one day from Tengu-kogen to Onogahara

Start at Michi-no-Eki Fusegasaka on the Kochi side and climb to Tengu-kogen on Route 197 and the forest road (the Higashi-Tsuno Shirokawa Line). Drive west along the Park Road, stopping at Godan-kogen and Himetsuru-daira, and continue to Genjigadaba and Onogahara. Then go back to Jiyoshi Pass and come down on Route 440 to Michi-no-Eki Tenku no Sato Sansan on the Ehime side. It is about 107 km and about 2 hours of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and do not include traffic.

Apart from the forest road, the roads up to the plateau are narrow, and in places it is hard for two cars to pass. The forest road on the Kochi side is the only way up with two lanes. On foggy days you may see nothing. In fog, turn on your lights so that other cars can see you.

From Matsuyama, climb to Jiyoshi Pass

From Matsuyama the quickest way up is Route 33 and Route 440 to Jiyoshi Pass. The last 9 km or so are narrow. On Prefectural Road 36 (1.4 km), just before Jiyoshi Pass, the road can only be used from 0 to 10 minutes past each hour and from 12:00 to 13:10 on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:00, until 22 January 2027. There are no works at weekends.

For Onogahara, take Seiyo-Uwa IC

It is about 100 minutes from Seiyo-Uwa IC on the Matsuyama Expressway to Genjigadaba in Onogahara. Genjigadaba is the highest point in Onogahara, with a view over the whole plateau.

Roads you can drive

Places to stop

Views and nature

The numbers match the map.

Roadside stations

The car parks at all four roadside stations are open 24 hours.

Best seasons and crowds

On 26 October the sun sets at 17:23 in Matsuyama and 17:20 in Kochi.

Crowds and cautions

• On long holidays such as Golden Week and Silver Week, many people come from inside and outside the prefectures. Queues start after noon and can stretch back from the front of Karst Terrace.
• On long holidays, no-parking signs go up at the passing places on the Park Road. Do not park in the passing places.
• When a thunderstorm warning or similar is in force, avoid walking on the plateau.

Closures and restrictions (as of 26 October)

• The Park Road is open now. The winter closure for 2026 has not been announced yet. In the last seven years the closure started between 24 November and 27 December.
• Prefectural Road 36 just before Jiyoshi Pass is closed except for set times on weekdays in the daytime until 22 January 2027.
• Route 33 (Misaka Road) is closed from 21:00 to 6:00 the next morning on the designated days from 26 October to 9 November.
• The Matsuyama Expressway between Ozu-Minami IC and Seiyo-Uwa IC is closed from 19:00 to 6:00 until the morning of 31 October.

Getting there and fuel

The forest road on the Kochi side has two lanes and is easy to climb. If you are coming from Kagawa, Tokushima or the Seto-Ohashi Bridge, going via Susaki on the Kochi Expressway gets you there sooner. To reach Tengu-kogen from the Kochi side in winter, use the snow-cleared route on Route 439, Prefectural Road 304, the forest road and Prefectural Road 48. For closing and reopening dates across Japan, see Japan Winter Road Closures 2026–27.

There are no petrol stations on the plateau or at the roadside stations. It takes about 40 minutes from Himetsuru-daira to the centre of Yusuhara and about 1 hour to Kumakogen, so fill up before you climb.

If you don't have a car

Driving in Japan on a foreign licence needs a 1949 Geneva international driving permit or an official Japanese translation; see Driving in Japan on a Foreign License. If you are picking up a car at the airport, see Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best one-day drive in Shikoku Karst?

Climb from the Kochi side on the forest road to Tengu-kogen, drive west along the Park Road through Godan-kogen, Himetsuru-daira, Genjigadaba and Onogahara, and come down to the Ehime side from Jiyoshi Pass. It is about 107 km and about 2 hours of driving.

Are the roads in Shikoku Karst narrow?

The forest road on the Kochi side has two lanes, but the other roads up are narrow and in places it is hard for two cars to pass. On the way up to Jiyoshi Pass from Matsuyama, the last 9 km or so are narrow.

Can I go to Shikoku Karst in winter?

The Park Road is fully closed in winter, and the section through Onogahara cannot be used either. You can reach Tengu-kogen by the snow-cleared route from the Kochi side, and some facilities there are open in winter. For closing dates across Japan, see Japan Winter Road Closures 2026–27.

When can I see the sea of clouds?

October to early November is the time when a sea of clouds often forms in the morning.

Can I buy petrol in Shikoku Karst?

There are no petrol stations on the plateau or at the roadside stations around it. Fill up in the town of Yusuhara or Kumakogen before you climb.

Nearby areas and guides

• Japan Winter Road Closures 2026–27: Mountain Road Closing and Reopening Dates
• Driving in Japan on a Foreign License: IDP or Translation
• Renting a Car at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport: Pickup and Return