From Matsuyama Airport to the Shikoku Karst (Mezuru-daira), the mountain roads of National Routes 33 and 440 and the winter closure

The end point is Mezuru-daira. The road crosses a prefectural border, so we write which prefecture each piece of information is from

The Shikoku Karst is a plateau along the ridge on the border of Ehime and Kochi prefectures, which continues from the east as Tengu Kogen (天狗高原), Godan Kogen (五段高原), Mezuru-daira (姫鶴平), and Onogahara (大野ヶ原). Iyokan.net introduces Prefectural Road 383 as a road that “runs across it for about 25 km from east to west”. The Seiyo Civil Engineering Office of Ehime Prefecture writes the same Prefectural Road 383 as having a “total length of 14.8 km”, so the numbers differ.

The end point of this article is Mezuru-daira in Kumakogen Town, Ehime. This is because Ehime Prefecture (Kumakogen Civil Engineering Office) guides the road from the Matsuyama direction to Mezuru-daira in text as “Route 1”. We do not include Tengu Kogen and Onogahara in the points, and write about them as side trips.

Road or place	Which prefecture	Information this article relies on
National Route 33 (Misaka Road and others)	Ehime Prefecture (Matsuyama, Tobe, Kumakogen)	Matsuyama River and National Highway Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Ehime Prefecture’s road information page
National Route 440, Prefectural Road 36, Prefectural Road 303	Kumakogen Town, Ehime Prefecture	Kumakogen Civil Engineering Office of Ehime Prefecture; Kumakogen Tourist Association
Prefectural Road 383	Across Ehime and Kochi prefectures	The manager differs by section (Seiyo Civil Engineering Office and Kumakogen Civil Engineering Office of Ehime Prefecture; Susaki Civil Engineering Office of Kochi Prefecture)
Mezuru-daira and Mezuru-so	Nishitani, Kumakogen Town, Ehime Prefecture	Iyokan.net; Ehime Prefecture; Yanadani Industrial Development Corporation, which manages Mezuru Ranch
Tengu Kogen and Hoshifuru Village TENGU	On the border of Ehime and Kochi prefectures (the facility is in Tsuno Town, Kochi)	Tsuno Town; Kochi Prefecture; Ehime Prefecture
Onogahara	Nomura, Seiyo, Ehime Prefecture	Iyokan.net (Ehime Prefecture’s official tourism site)

About the manager of Prefectural Road 383, this is the original text of the Seiyo Civil Engineering Office of Ehime Prefecture.

一般県道四国カルスト公園縦断線は、愛媛県と高知県の県境部を跨ぐ路線のため、区間ごとに管理者が異なります。通行する道路の管理者にお問い合わせください。

Translation: “The general prefectural road Shikoku Karst Park Traversing Line crosses the border of Ehime and Kochi prefectures, so the manager differs by section. Please ask the manager of the road you will use.”

Source: 一般県道383号四国カルスト公園縦断線（冬期閉鎖）について - 愛媛県庁公式ホームページ（西予土木事務所）

We could not find an official travel time that starts from Matsuyama Airport

We could not find an official page that gives the car travel time from Matsuyama Airport to Mezuru-daira. Matsuyama Airport’s official page “Access to the Airport” has no car guidance for the Kumakogen Town and Shikoku Karst direction either. In every number we found, the starting point or the end point is different.

Time written	Starting point and direction	Which page
95 minutes by car	Matsuyama IC (a page on the whole Shikoku Karst, with no end point named)	Iyokan.net, “Shikoku Karst”
About 2 hours 30 minutes	“From Matsuyama City” (in the “By car…” section, with no end point named)	Yanadani Industrial Development Corporation, “Access”
About 2 hours 10 minutes	From Kochi city to Tengu Kogen (the Kochi side, the opposite of the Ehime side)	Kochi Prefecture’s “Shikoku Karst” page

The Yanadani Industrial Development Corporation’s access page also gives distances.

松山より久万高原町（落出）　･･･　約54km 落出より地芳峠　･･･　24km 落出より　姫鶴平コテージ　･･･27km

Translation: “From Matsuyama to Kumakogen Town (Ochiide): about 54 km. From Ochiide to Jiyoshi Pass: 24 km. From Ochiide to Mezuru-daira Cottage: 27 km.”

Source: アクセス - 一般財団法人 柳谷産業開発公社

It is not written which place in Matsuyama City the “Matsuyama” in “From Matsuyama” means. This article does not write a travel time made by adding up official numbers.

The route: National Route 33 to the Yanadani-ohashi intersection in Kumakogen Town, then National Route 440

We checked the road names and route numbers in map data (OpenStreetMap).

Section	Road
Matsuyama Airport to the Matsuyama Outer Ring Road	Not confirmed in official guidance
Matsuyama to Kumakogen Town	National Route 33 (Tobe Road, Misaka Road, and others)
From the Yanadani-ohashi intersection in Kumakogen Town	National Route 440 (Ochiide Bypass, Jiyoshi Road)
From before Jiyoshi Tunnel	Prefectural Road 36, Nomura-Yanadani Line, then Town Road Shikoku Karst Kogen Line
From Jiyoshi Pass	Prefectural Road 383, Shikoku Karst Park Traversing Line

From Matsuyama Airport to National Route 33

We could not find official guidance for the road from the airport to National Route 33. In the map data, the “Inter Line” (National Route 33) of the “Matsuyama Outer Ring Road” is recorded near Ikado IC, and we put it in as point 2. We have not confirmed the road from the airport to Ikado IC. Before you leave, check the route on your car navigation system and Matsuyama Airport’s notices.

Misaka Road on National Route 33, and the rainfall closures

National Route 33 goes south from Matsuyama to Tobe and Kumakogen Town. In the map data, in the Tobe section (point 3), the route numbers of National Routes 379 and 440 are also recorded as overlapping National Route 33.

About the section that includes Misaka Pass (三坂峠), the “Misaka Road” page of the Matsuyama River and National Highway Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism says this.

このうち、三坂峠を含む区間は、特に線形不良箇所が多く、異常気象における事前通行規制や冬期の積雪・凍結等による通行障害が多発している。

Translation: “Of this, the section that includes Misaka Pass has especially many places with a poor alignment, and obstacles to traffic occur often, such as advance closures in abnormal weather and snow and ice in winter.”

Source: 松山河川国道事務所/道について/R33 三坂道路

The plan summary on the same page writes the section as from Higashi-Myojin, Kumakogen Town, to Okubo, Kutani-cho, Matsuyama, with a length of 7.6 km.

The rainfall closures appear in a notice of Kumakogen Town.

国道33号三坂地区における「異常気象時の通行規制区間」について、令和5年7月6日（木曜日）より、通行規制基準（連続雨量）を緩和されましたのでお知らせします。 国道33号（愛媛県松山市久谷町～愛媛県伊予郡砥部町千足） 連続雨量を250mmから300mmに緩和されます。

Translation: “We inform you that, for the ‘closure section in abnormal weather’ in the Misaka area of National Route 33, the closure standard (continuous rainfall) has been relaxed from Thursday, July 6, Reiwa 5 (2023). National Route 33 (Kutani-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime, to Senzoku, Tobe Town, Iyo District, Ehime). The continuous rainfall is relaxed from 250 mm to 300 mm.”

Source: 国道33号の通行規制基準を緩和します - 久万高原町ホームページ

This notice was updated on August 8, 2023, and we have not confirmed whether the present standard is the same. Closures on rainy days are collected in the article on heavy rain and typhoons.

Once you enter Kumakogen Town, Iyokan.net writes that there is a roadside station, Michi-no-Eki “Mikawa” (道の駅「みかわ」), along National Route 33 on the way from Matsuyama to the Shikoku Karst. We have not confirmed its hours or whether it has a gas station.

Turn onto National Route 440 at the Yanadani-ohashi intersection

The first step in Ehime Prefecture’s guidance is to enter National Route 440 from National Route 33. In the map data, at the Yanadani-ohashi intersection in Kumakogen Town (point 5), a road of National Route 440 only (the Ochiide Bypass) splits off. In the map data, there is a bus stop “Ochiide” (落出) near here, which has the same name as “Ochiide” in the distance table of the Yanadani Industrial Development Corporation.

From here on, the route follows the guidance (Route 1) of the Kumakogen Civil Engineering Office of Ehime Prefecture. This is the original text.

≪ルート1：町道四国カルスト高原線経由≫ （1）国道33号から国道440号へ入り、道なりに南下 （2）地芳トンネル手前約400mにあるT字路を右折し、県道36号（野村柳谷線）へ進入 （3）約1.4km道なりに進み、T字路を左折して橋を渡り、町道四国カルスト高原線へ進入 （4）そのまま町道を道なりに進むと、県道383号（四国カルスト公園縦断線）との交差点に到着 ※「地芳峠」と書かれた看板が目印です。 （5）交差点を左折し、道なりに進めば、姫鶴平に到着できます。

Translation: “[Route 1: via Town Road Shikoku Karst Kogen Line] (1) Enter National Route 440 from National Route 33 and head south, following the road. (2) Turn right at the T-junction about 400 m before Jiyoshi Tunnel, and enter Prefectural Road 36 (Nomura-Yanadani Line). (3) Follow the road for about 1.4 km, turn left at a T-junction, cross a bridge, and enter Town Road Shikoku Karst Kogen Line. (4) If you keep following the town road, you will arrive at the intersection with Prefectural Road 383 (Shikoku Karst Park Traversing Line). A sign saying ‘Jiyoshi Pass’ (地芳峠) is the landmark. (5) Turn left at the intersection and follow the road to reach Mezuru-daira.”

Source: 久万高原町内から四国カルストまでのルートについて - 愛媛県庁公式ホームページ（久万高原土木事務所）

This is what we confirmed in the map data.

• The junction with Prefectural Road 36 (point 8) is the point where National Route 440 and Prefectural Road 36 meet, about 0.4 km north of the northern end of Jiyoshi Tunnel. This matches the prefecture’s “about 400 m before Jiyoshi Tunnel”.
• In the map data too, this tunnel is recorded under the name “Jiyoshi Tunnel”.
• For Jiyoshi Pass (point 10), the name “Jiyoshi Pass” is recorded at the point where Prefectural Road 383 meets another road.
• We have not confirmed the position of the “T-junction” where you enter the town road from Prefectural Road 36, because the town road’s name is not in the map data.
• Ehime Prefecture’s guide map (PDF) writes Route 1 as “Prefectural Road 56, Nomura-Yanadani Line”. The text of the guide page and the table on Ehime Prefecture’s road information page say “Prefectural Road 36”. We do not know the reason for the “56” on the map.

After you turn left at Jiyoshi Pass, you go along Prefectural Road 383. Mezuru-daira is the end point.

The road to Tengu Kogen (Route 2)

This is Ehime Prefecture’s guidance (Route 2) for going to Tengu Kogen (Hoshifuru Village TENGU).

≪ルート2：久万高原町管理林道経由≫ （1）国道33号から国道440号へ入り、道なりに南下（ルート1と同様） （2）約12km進んだ地点にあるT字路で左折し、県道303号（猪伏西谷線）へ進入 ※自動販売機のある広い待避所が目印です。 （3）以降、道なりに進めば、天狗高原及び星ふるヴィレッジTENGUに到着します。 ※県道と林道は交差点無くそのまま切り替わります。

Translation: “[Route 2: via a forest road managed by Kumakogen Town] (1) Enter National Route 440 from National Route 33 and head south, following the road (same as Route 1). (2) Turn left at the T-junction about 12 km further on, and enter the Ibushi-Nishitani Line, Prefectural Road 303 (猪伏西谷線). A wide pull-out with a vending machine is the landmark. (3) After that, follow the road and you will arrive at Tengu Kogen and Hoshifuru Village TENGU. The prefectural road and the forest road switch over as they are, without an intersection.”

Source: 久万高原町内から四国カルストまでのルートについて - 愛媛県庁公式ホームページ（久万高原土木事務所）

In the map data, the point where National Route 440 and Prefectural Road 303 meet (point 7) is north of the junction with Prefectural Road 36. The guidance does not say from where on National Route 33 the “about 12 km” of Route 2 is counted.

There is also a road that goes up to Tengu Kogen from the Kochi side. Tsuno Town (Kochi Prefecture)’s page writes the following about the guidance of map apps and car navigation systems.

Google マップやカーナビでは県道304号、県道48号を案内することがありますが、一部には道幅の狭い区間があります。初めて山道を運転される方や運転に不安のある方は、走りやすいルートを選ぶと、より安心してドライブを楽しめます。

Translation: “Google Maps and car navigation systems may guide you along Prefectural Road 304 and Prefectural Road 48, but some sections are narrow. If you are driving a mountain road for the first time, or feel uneasy about driving, choosing an easier route will let you enjoy the drive with more peace of mind.”

Source: この夏、初めて四国カルストを訪れるあなたへ｜ 津野ぶらする前に｜津野ぶら

This is about the road that goes up from the Kochi side, not about Routes 1 and 2 on the Ehime side.

National Route 440 and Prefectural Road 36 have timed closures in the daytime, except on Saturdays, Sundays, and similar days

As of October 13, 2026, the road on Route 1 has timed closures because of construction. On the route guide page of Ehime Prefecture, the note at the top says the following.

ルート1は道路改良工事により時間帯通行止めを実施しているため、2027年1月22日（金曜日）まで通行に支障がある状態となっています。 大変ご迷惑をおかけいたしますが、お急ぎの方はルート2または高知県側からのルートのご利用をご検討ください。 また、近接路線においても、2026年10月31日（土曜日）まで時間帯通行止めを実施しております。 本通行止めについては、愛媛県側から向かう際に通る可能性が極めて高い箇所となっておりますので、ご通行の際にはご注意ください。

Translation: “Because Route 1 has timed closures for road improvement work, traffic is hindered until Friday, January 22, 2027. We are very sorry for the trouble, but if you are in a hurry, please consider using Route 2 or the route from the Kochi side. Timed closures are also being carried out on a nearby route until Saturday, October 31, 2026. This closure is at a place you are very likely to pass when coming from the Ehime side, so please be careful when you pass.”

Source: 久万高原町内から四国カルストまでのルートについて - 愛媛県庁公式ホームページ（久万高原土木事務所）

The notices for these two places are on separate pages.

Prefectural Road 36 (Nishitani, Kumakogen Town)

The notice for Prefectural Road 36 has had its period extended by an addition on September 28. The work began on November 25, 2025, and the end date was extended from September 30, 2026 to January 22, 2027.

（変更前）令和7年11月25日（火曜日）～令和8年9月30日（水曜日） （変更後）令和7年11月25日（火曜日）～令和9年1月22日（金曜日） … 2.期　間　令和7年11月25日（火曜日）～令和9年1月22日（金曜日） ※土曜、日曜及び令和8年12月26日（土曜日）から令和9年1月3日（日曜日）は実施しません。 3.時　間　午前8時30分～午後5時 … 5.制限内容　時間帯通行止め

Translation: “(Before the change) Tuesday, November 25, Reiwa 7 (2025) to Wednesday, September 30, Reiwa 8 (2026). (After the change) Tuesday, November 25, Reiwa 7 (2025) to Friday, January 22, Reiwa 9 (2027). … 2. Period: Tuesday, November 25, Reiwa 7 to Friday, January 22, Reiwa 9. It is not carried out on Saturdays, Sundays, and from Saturday, December 26, Reiwa 8 (2026) to Sunday, January 3, Reiwa 9 (2027). 3. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. … 5. Type of restriction: timed closure”

Source: 県道36号（野村柳谷線）における通行止めについて（久万高原町西谷） - 愛媛県庁公式ホームページ（久万高原土木事務所）

The update date shown on this Ehime Prefecture page is May 14, 2026, but the text includes “September 28 (addition)”. The days excluded are “Saturdays, Sundays” and December 26, 2026 to January 3, 2027, and holidays are not mentioned. The notice text does not say whether it applies to up or down, or where the closure is. On the location map (PDF), the circle for the “restricted place” is drawn on Prefectural Road 36 at a position near the junction with National Route 440 (near “Kawanari” on the map). We cannot read from the map how many km along it is.

National Route 440 (Komura, Kumakogen Town)

Ehime Prefecture’s notice for National Route 440 also has an extended period.

（変更前）令和8年9月1日（火曜日）～令和8年9月30日（水曜日） （変更後）令和8年9月1日（火曜日）～令和8年10月31日（土曜日） … 2.期　間　令和8年9月1日（火曜日）～令和8年10月31日（土曜日） ※土曜・日曜・祝日は実施しません。 3.時　間　午前8時30分～午後5時 … 5.制限内容　時間帯通行止め

Translation: “(Before the change) Tuesday, September 1, Reiwa 8 (2026) to Wednesday, September 30, Reiwa 8. (After the change) Tuesday, September 1, Reiwa 8 to Saturday, October 31, Reiwa 8. … 2. Period: Tuesday, September 1, Reiwa 8 to Saturday, October 31, Reiwa 8. It is not carried out on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. 3. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. … 5. Type of restriction: timed closure”

Source: 国道440号における通行止めについて（久万高原町小村） - 愛媛県庁公式ホームページ（久万高原土木事務所）

The Kumakogen Tourist Association writes about the same work in a post of September 3, 2026, including the place and the detour.

路線：国道440号線（久万高原町小村） 小村トンネル付近、西谷農産物直売所ししまるから制限がかかっています。 期間：令和8年9月1日～9月30日　※土日祝は制限なし 時間：8時30分～17時00分 … 迂回路：県道328号線(柳谷美川線） ※離合注意の箇所がある狭い道路となっています。

Translation: “Route: National Route 440 (Komura, Kumakogen Town). The restriction is in place from near Komura Tunnel, from the Nishitani farm produce shop Shishimaru. Period: September 1 to 30, Reiwa 8 (2026). No restriction on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Time: 8:30 to 17:00. … Detour: Prefectural Road 328 (Yanadani-Mikawa Line). It is a narrow road with places where you must be careful when passing.”

Source: 【交通情報】国道440号 高知県梼原町方面・四国カルスト方面 時間帯通行制限｜イベント・交通情報｜久万高原町観光協会

The text of Ehime Prefecture says until October 31, and the tourist association’s post says until September 30, so the periods differ. Because Ehime Prefecture’s page writes the extension in its September 28 addition, this article gives Ehime Prefecture’s October 31 first. We do not know whether the tourist association’s post has not been updated, or whether there is another reason.

On Ehime Prefecture’s location map (PDF), the circle for the “restricted place” on National Route 440 is drawn north of the junction with Prefectural Road 303 and Prefectural Road 36. Both Route 1 and Route 2 pass through this National Route 440.

Times when you can pass

Both notices give the time as “8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.”, with closure times and passing times lined up alternately. Read from the table, they are as follows.

Time	Passing
Until 8:30	Possible
8:30 to 9:00	Stopped (30 minutes)
9:00 to 9:10	Possible (10 minutes)
9:10 to 10:00	Stopped (50 minutes)
10:00 to 10:10	Possible (10 minutes)
10:10 to 11:00	Stopped (50 minutes)
11:00 to 11:10	Possible (10 minutes)
11:10 to 12:00	Stopped (50 minutes)
12:00 to 13:10	Possible (70 minutes)
13:10 to 14:00	Stopped (50 minutes)
14:00 to 14:10	Possible (10 minutes)
14:10 to 15:00	Stopped (50 minutes)
15:00 to 15:10	Possible (10 minutes)
15:10 to 16:00	Stopped (50 minutes)
16:00 to 16:10	Possible (10 minutes)
16:10 to 17:00	Stopped (50 minutes)
From 17:00	Possible

The same table is attached to both National Route 440 and Prefectural Road 36. The notices do not say how long the closed section is, or where to wait during the passing times.

The notice for National Route 440 excludes “Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays”, and the notice for Prefectural Road 36 excludes only “Saturdays, Sundays” and the New Year period. If you want to check how holidays are handled, the contact is the Kumakogen Civil Engineering Office (tel. 0892-21-1210).

Ehime Prefecture’s pages do not say how National Route 440 is handled after October 31, 2026, or Prefectural Road 36 after January 22, 2027.

Cautions for mountain roads: road width, gasoline, fog, temperature, and cattle

About the width of Prefectural Road 383, this is the original text of Ehime Prefecture’s official tourism site (Iyokan.net).

ドライブルートの「四国カルスト縦断線」は道幅が狭いところも多いので、対向車とすれ違うときは運転に注意が必要。また、ガソリンスタンドが少ないため、十分にガソリンを入れてドライブへ出かけることをおすすめします。冬季は積雪のため通行止めの場合があります。

Translation: “On the drive route ‘Shikoku Karst Traversing Line’, there are many places where the road is narrow, so you need to be careful when passing oncoming cars. Also, because there are few gas stations, we recommend that you go on the drive with plenty of gasoline. In winter, the road may be closed because of snow.”

Source: 四国カルストドライブルート｜【2026年最新版】四国カルスト完全ガイド｜絶景ドライブ・観光スポット・アクセス情報まとめ｜愛媛 旅の特集｜愛媛県の公式観光サイト【いよ観ネット】

Tsuno Town (Kochi Prefecture)’s page also writes about the road to the Shikoku Karst as follows.

四国カルストまでの道中はほとんどが狭い道ばかり。 四国カルストまであがると、最寄りのガソリンスタンドまで30分以上はかかってしまいます。

Translation: “Most of the way to the Shikoku Karst is narrow roads. Once you go up to the Shikoku Karst, it takes 30 minutes or more to the nearest gas station.”

Source: 四国カルスト｜絶景ドライブ＆ツーリングで最高の思い出を｜ 津野ぶらする前に｜津野ぶら

The pages of Ehime Prefecture, Kumakogen Town, and Tsuno Town do not give numbers for road width. The tourist association’s detour for National Route 440 (Prefectural Road 328) is also written as “a narrow road with places where you must be careful when passing”.

About the weather, this is the original text of the page of the Yanadani Industrial Development Corporation, which manages Mezuru Ranch and Mezuru-so.

四国カルストは天気が悪いと、霧に包まれ真っ白になる事が多いです。訪問を検討している方は、事前に天気予報やライブカメラを必ずチェックしましょう。 四国カルストの標高はおおよそ1300〜1450mで、下層雲の影響を大きく受けます。

Translation: “When the weather is bad, the Shikoku Karst is often wrapped in fog and turns white. If you are thinking of visiting, be sure to check the weather forecast and live cameras in advance. The elevation of the Shikoku Karst is roughly 1300 to 1450 m, and it is strongly affected by low clouds.”

Source: 四国カルストを訪れる際の天気予報の活用方法 - 一般財団法人 柳谷産業開発公社

Tsuno Town’s page also talks about temperature and clouds.

標高1400mにもなると、気温がグッと下がり「寒くて楽しむどころではなかった……！」ということも。 山の天気は非常に変わりやすく、気付いたら雲の中……なんてこともよくあります。

Translation: “At an elevation of 1400 m, the temperature drops sharply, and some people say ‘It was too cold to enjoy it…!’ Mountain weather changes very easily, and it is common to find yourself in the clouds before you notice.”

Source: 四国カルスト｜絶景ドライブ＆ツーリングで最高の思い出を｜ 津野ぶらする前に｜津野ぶら

For cattle, you can check the grazing period on the corporation’s pages. The Mezuru Ranch page writes “Number of grazing cattle: 125” and “Grazing period: April to November every year”. The corporation’s top page writes the period in a different way.

姫鶴平から五段高原、天狗高原一帯の雄大な光景広がります。牛が放牧されるのは、4月下旬～10月下旬頃です。

Translation: “A magnificent view spreads across the area from Mezuru-daira to Godan Kogen and Tengu Kogen. Cattle are put out to graze from late April to about late October.”

Source: 姫鶴牧場 - 一般財団法人 柳谷産業開発公社、柳谷産業開発公社の概要 - 一般財団法人 柳谷産業開発公社

We could not find an official page of Ehime Prefecture or Kumakogen Town that describes the movement of cattle on the road and cautions for drivers.

About winter ice on the National Route 33 side, the “Icy danger spots map” page of the Matsuyama River and National Highway Office writes the following.

冬季の運転は冬用タイヤへの交換やチェーンの携行をしましょう

Translation: “When driving in winter, switch to winter tires and carry chains.”

Source: 松山河川国道事務所/道について/凍結危険箇所マップ

The section of Prefectural Road 36 in Nishitani, Kumakogen Town (5.5 km) is listed in the “Sections closed during abnormal weather” table of Ehime Prefecture. It is written as hourly rainfall 40 and continuous rainfall 200, and the table has no units. We have not confirmed how much this section overlaps the about 1.4 km that Ehime Prefecture’s Route 1 passes. National Route 440, Prefectural Road 383, and Prefectural Road 303 are not in this table.

Source: 愛媛県道路情報に関するリンク - 愛媛県庁公式ホームページ（道路維持課）

Seasonal closures: Prefectural Road 383 closes in winter

Prefectural Road 383 is usually closed in winter. This is the original text of the Seiyo Civil Engineering Office of Ehime Prefecture.

高知県高岡郡津野町から愛媛県西予市野村町に至る一般県道383号四国カルスト公園縦断線は、例年、積雪及び凍結が見込まれる冬期は通行止めとなります。 なお、周辺の町道や林道も同期間、閉鎖となります。詳細は下記位置図をご確認ください。

Translation: “The general prefectural road 383, Shikoku Karst Park Traversing Line, which runs from Tsuno Town, Takaoka District, Kochi Prefecture, to Nomura, Seiyo, Ehime Prefecture, is usually closed in winter, when snow and ice are expected. The surrounding town roads and forest roads are also closed in the same period. For details, please check the location map below.”

Source: 一般県道383号四国カルスト公園縦断線（冬期閉鎖）について - 愛媛県庁公式ホームページ（西予土木事務所）

In the “Recent winter closures” table on the same page, over the past 7 years, the start dates fall between November 24 (fiscal 2023) and December 27 (fiscal 2019), and the reopening dates fall between March 10 (2020) and March 27 (2025).

Fiscal year	Closure starts	Reopens
Reiwa 7	December 5, 2025, 10:00	March 18, 2026, 11:00
Reiwa 6	December 2, 2024, 13:00	March 27, 2025, 13:00
Reiwa 5	November 24, 2023, 15:00	March 15, 2024, 13:00
Reiwa 4	December 6, 2022, 15:00	March 17, 2023, 13:00
Reiwa 3	November 29, 2021, 16:00	March 18, 2022, 13:00
Reiwa 2	December 14, 2020, 17:00	March 19, 2021, 13:00
Reiwa 1	December 27, 2019, 13:00	March 10, 2020, 13:00

The closure schedule for fiscal 2026 (Reiwa 8) was not on the pages of Ehime Prefecture and the Kumakogen Tourist Association that we checked, as of October 13, 2026.

Other official pages write the closing period in slightly different ways. This is the original text of Tsuno Town (Kochi Prefecture)’s page.

例年、12月初旬〜3月末は県道383号線が冬季通行止めとなります。

Translation: “Every year, Prefectural Road 383 is closed for winter from early December to the end of March.”

Source: 四国カルスト｜絶景ドライブ＆ツーリングで最高の思い出を｜ 津野ぶらする前に｜津野ぶら

The Yanadani Industrial Development Corporation, which manages Mezuru Ranch and Mezuru-so, writes the following in a post of November 7, 2025.

雪が降ったら、もしくは降らなくても12月下旬には冬季通行止めで閉鎖になります。通行止め情報は久万高原町観光協会HPをご覧ください」

Translation: “If it snows, or even if it does not, the road will be closed for winter in late December. For information on the closure, please see the Kumakogen Tourist Association website.”

Source: 今シーズンの宿泊予約受付終了、営業終了時期のお知らせ - 一般財団法人 柳谷産業開発公社

The Chuyo Regional Office of Ehime Prefecture writes in the Mezuru-daira section, “Traffic restrictions in winter (open every year from April to the end of November)”. However, in the Seiyo Civil Engineering Office’s table, in fiscal 2023 the road closed on November 24. The page on the beech primeval forest of Onogahara writes that in Onogahara there is a risk of snow and ice during winter, and that from late November you should wear chains or similar when you pass.

The notice that the Kumakogen Tourist Association issued on December 4, 2025 also writes the range you can reach during the closure.

冬季閉鎖期間：令和7年12月5日（金曜日）10時～解除時期は未定（例年3月中旬～下旬） 天狗高原（「星ふるヴィレッジTENGU」や「カルストテラス」）までは行く事ができますが、姫鶴平や五段高原へは行くことができません。 ※積雪等道路状況によってはスタッドレスタイヤ、チェーン必須です。

Translation: “Winter closure period: from 10:00 on Friday, December 5, Reiwa 7 (2025); the reopening time is undecided (usually mid to late March). You can go as far as Tengu Kogen (‘Hoshifuru Village TENGU’ and ‘Karst Terrace’), but you cannot go to Mezuru-daira or Godan Kogen. Depending on road conditions such as snow, studless tires or chains are required.”

Source: 【交通情報】四国カルスト縦断線（県道383）および林道冬季閉鎖について｜イベント・交通情報｜久万高原町観光協会

As a road to go only to Tengu Kogen in winter, the tourist association guides a road that goes through Jiyoshi Tunnel on National Route 440 to the Kochi side, and enters Forest Road Higashi-Tsuno-Shirokawa Line (林道東津野城川線) from National Route 197. Tsuno Town (Kochi Prefecture)’s page writes the following about Tengu-so in winter.

宿泊施設・天狗荘までは車でアクセスできますので、冬の四国カルストを楽しみたい方でも安心です。 また天狗荘までの道中は凍結や積雪がありますので、スタッドレスタイヤの着用、チェーンの携行をお願い致します。

Translation: “You can reach the lodging facility Tengu-so by car, so even people who want to enjoy the Shikoku Karst in winter can feel at ease. The road to Tengu-so has ice and snow, so please wear studless tires and carry chains.”

Source: 四国カルスト｜絶景ドライブ＆ツーリングで最高の思い出を｜ 津野ぶらする前に｜津野ぶら

For the spring reopening, the tourist association’s notice of March 17, 2026 gives the reopening of Prefectural Road 383 as “11:00 on Wednesday, March 18, Reiwa 8 (2026)”. The same notice writes that the forest roads “Tengu Kogen Kyujo Line” (天狗高原休場線) and “Higashi-Tsuno-Shirokawa Line” “continue to be closed for winter”.

Ehime Prefecture’s page “[Lifted] On the Reiwa 7 winter closure” writes the following about the road surface after the reopening.

※1　冬期閉鎖解除後も、夜間・早朝の路面の凍結が発生する可能性がありますので、 当面の間は冬用タイヤの着用、チェーンの携行等にご協力下さい。

Translation: “Note 1: Even after the winter closure is lifted, the road surface may freeze at night and in the early morning, so for the time being please cooperate by wearing winter tires and carrying chains.”

Source: 【解除】令和7年度冬期閉鎖について（久万高原土木事務所管理路線） - 愛媛県庁公式ホームページ（久万高原土木事務所）

The rules on winter tires and chain regulations are collected in Before driving Ehime mountain roads in winter.

Parking: Mezuru-daira and Mezuru-so, Tengu Kogen, and Onogahara

The numbers of parking spaces are all written with “about” on every page.

• Mezuru-daira: Iyokan.net writes the parking as “about 50 spaces” and the parking fee as “free”.
• Around Mezuru-so: The Chuyo Regional Office of Ehime Prefecture writes the parking as “available (around Mezuru-so)” in the Mezuru-daira section, and as “about 60 spaces” in the Mezuru-so section. Neither page says whether it is the same place as the “about 50 spaces” at Mezuru-daira, or a different parking lot.
• Tengu Kogen: The page of the Chuyo Regional Office of Ehime Prefecture writes the parking of the former “Kogen Fureai-no-Ie Tengu-so” as “about 200 spaces (free)”. Tsuno Town’s page does not give the number of spaces or the fee for the parking at Tengu Kogen.
• Onogahara: Iyokan.net writes the parking as “about 50 spaces” and the parking fee as “free”.

About crowds at Tengu Kogen, this is the original text of Tsuno Town (Kochi Prefecture)’s page.

(特に天狗トンネル手前は道が狭く渋滞が発生しやすいです。トンネル手前の車の待避所（遊歩道の入口）に駐車しないようご協力をお願いいたします。) もし駐車場が満車で駐車できない、そんなときは、少しだけ先へ足を延ばしてみるのもおすすめです。

Translation: “(Especially before Tengu Tunnel, the road is narrow and traffic jams easily occur. Please do not park in the car pull-out before the tunnel (the entrance of the walking path).) If the parking is full and you cannot park, we also recommend going a little further.”

Source: この夏、初めて四国カルストを訪れるあなたへ｜ 津野ぶらする前に｜津野ぶら

We could not find, on the official pages of Ehime Prefecture and Kumakogen Town, guidance for when a lot is full, whether you can reserve, or winter operation. For the operation of Mezuru-so, the restaurant, and the campground, the corporation published the end dates in 2025.

・姫鶴荘・姫鶴平コテージの宿泊は11月8日(土)で終了 ・レストラン・売店は11月9日(日)で終了

Translation: “Lodging at Mezuru-so and Mezuru-daira Cottage ends on Saturday, November 8. The restaurant and shop end on Sunday, November 9.”

Source: 今シーズンの宿泊予約受付終了、営業終了時期のお知らせ - 一般財団法人 柳谷産業開発公社 (a post of November 7, 2025. The 2026 schedule is not shown)

A side trip: Onogahara is the western part of the Shikoku Karst

Onogahara is a dairy farming area in the western part of the Shikoku Karst, in Nomura, Seiyo, Ehime. This is the original text of Iyokan.net.

通称「日本のスイス」と呼ばれる日本三大カルストの一つ、四国カルスト西部に位置する県下有数の酪農地帯。標高約1000～1400mのカルスト高原産の乳製品を販売する店舗や動物と触れ合える牧場を始め、宿泊が可能なペンションまで揃い、シーズン時期には観光地、真夏日には避暑地として多くの人で賑わいを見せている。また、最も高所にあたる源氏ヶ駄馬では、大野ヶ原の風景が一望でき、まるでスイスを思わせる雄大で壮大な風景と吹き抜ける風を全身で感じられる。＃山

Translation: “Commonly called ‘the Switzerland of Japan’, it is one of the three great karst areas of Japan, and a leading dairy farming area in the prefecture, located in the western part of the Shikoku Karst. It has shops that sell dairy products from the karst plateau at an elevation of about 1000 to 1400 m, ranches where you can meet animals, and even pensions where you can stay. In the season it is busy with many people as a sightseeing spot, and on midsummer days as a summer retreat. At Genjigadaba, the highest point, you can look out over the whole landscape of Onogahara and feel the grand, magnificent scenery and the wind blowing through, which makes you think of Switzerland. #mountain”

Source: 四国カルスト大野ヶ原｜愛媛のスポット・体験｜愛媛県の公式観光サイト【いよ観ネット】

In the map data, the point for the Onogahara settlement is west of Jiyoshi Pass. We have not confirmed the distance and travel time from Jiyoshi Pass to Onogahara. About winter traffic, another page of Iyokan.net writes the following.

ブナの原生林の林床には冷温帯でしか見られないコミヤマカタバミ、シコクママコナ、ハガクレツリフネなどの可憐な草花が咲きます。またコジュウカラやコガタブチサンショウウオ、アイノミドリシジミなどの動物も生息しています。大野ヶ原では冬季の間は積雪・凍結の恐れがあるため、11月下旬以降はチェーン等を着用するなど通行の際はご注意を。

Translation: “On the floor of the beech primeval forest, delicate flowers that can be seen only in cool temperate zones bloom, such as Komiyama-katabami, Shikoku-mamakona, and Hagakure-tsurifune. Animals such as Kojukara, Kogata-buchi-sanshouo, and Ainomidorishijimi also live there. In Onogahara there is a risk of snow and ice during winter, so from late November, please be careful when passing, for example by wearing chains.”

Source: 四国カルスト・大野ヶ原のブナの原生林｜つかれた心と体を癒やす“避密”のショートトリップ｜愛媛 旅の特集｜愛媛県の公式観光サイト【いよ観ネット】

The way back: the same road. Decide the time and refueling in advance

The way back from Mezuru-daira to Matsuyama Airport also goes through Jiyoshi Pass, Prefectural Road 36, National Route 440, and National Route 33, in the opposite direction. About the return, this is what we could confirm on official pages.

• The notices do not say whether the timed closures of National Route 440 and Prefectural Road 36 apply to cars going down on the same schedule. The time when the closures end is 17:00 for both.
• Tsuno Town (Kochi Prefecture) writes that once you go up to the Shikoku Karst, it takes 30 minutes or more to the nearest gas station. Make a plan for refueling before you leave.
• The Yanadani Industrial Development Corporation writes that the Shikoku Karst is often wrapped in fog and turns white when the weather is bad. We could not find an official page that describes how thick the fog is, or how bright the road is, when you go down in the evening or at night.
• Misaka Road on National Route 33 is a section with winter ice and rainfall closures. If rain is forecast for the day you return to the airport, check by the phone numbers and pages in the article on Ehime road information.
• The return time for a rental car is described in What to know before renting a car at Matsuyama Airport.

What to check before you leave

• Timed closures: National Route 440 until October 31, 2026, and Prefectural Road 36 until January 22, 2027, by Ehime Prefecture’s notices. The contact is the Kumakogen Civil Engineering Office (0892-21-1210). Make the call from a passenger seat, or after you have stopped the car.
• The winter closure of Prefectural Road 383: Check the fiscal 2026 schedule on the pages of the Seiyo Civil Engineering Office and the Kumakogen Civil Engineering Office of Ehime Prefecture. In the past 7 years, the earliest start was November 24.
• Road information for National Route 33: It is managed by the Matsuyama River and National Highway Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. This is the original text of Ehime Prefecture’s guidance.

愛媛県内の道路情報については、日本道路交通情報センター　050-3369-6638 国道11号、33号、56号(中予地方）、192号、196号は、国土交通省松山河川国道事務所　089-972-0034 愛媛県内の国管理以外の国道及び県道については、 愛媛県土木部道路維持課　089-912-2720

Translation: “For road information in Ehime Prefecture: Japan Road Traffic Information Center, 050-3369-6638. For National Routes 11, 33, 56 (Chuyo region), 192, and 196: Matsuyama River and National Highway Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, 089-972-0034. For national roads not managed by the national government, and for prefectural roads, in Ehime Prefecture: Road Maintenance Division, Civil Engineering Department, Ehime Prefecture, 089-912-2720.”

Source: 愛媛県道路情報に関するリンク - 愛媛県庁公式ホームページ（道路維持課）

• Fuel: There are few gas stations, so fill up before you go up to the Shikoku Karst.
• Weather and fog: As the corporation’s page recommends, check the weather forecast and the live cameras before you leave.

What comes next for this article

The point numbers will be the same as the chapter numbers of the driving video. This article is written only from official pages and map data, and we have not driven the route yet. The latitude and longitude of each point are the points of roads, intersections, and bus stops in the map data, not the entrances themselves.

These are the things we could not confirm on official pages and map data.

• The car travel time from Matsuyama Airport to Mezuru-daira
• The official route from Matsuyama Airport to Ikado IC
• Whether the timed closures of National Route 440 and Prefectural Road 36 apply to up or down, and how they are handled after the notice periods end
• The reason the closure period of National Route 440 differs between Ehime Prefecture and the tourist association
• The reason Ehime Prefecture’s guide map writes “Prefectural Road 56”
• The position of the T-junction where you enter Town Road Shikoku Karst Kogen Line from Prefectural Road 36
• Cautions about cattle on the road (official pages of Ehime Prefecture and Kumakogen Town)
• The schedule of the winter closure of Prefectural Road 383 for fiscal 2026
• The reopening dates in 2026 of the forest roads (Tengu Kogen Kyujo Line and Higashi-Tsuno-Shirokawa Line)
• The number of spaces at Mezuru-daira (the relation between about 50 and about 60), and guidance for when it is full
• The distance and the road to Onogahara, and winter traffic
• Whether the rainfall closure standard of National Route 33 is still the one in the 2023 notice
• Numbers for the road width of Prefectural Road 383, Prefectural Road 36, and National Route 440

After we drive the route, we will add the intersections where you turn, the entrance from Prefectural Road 36 to the town road, the road width and passing, the waiting time at timed closures, and the condition of the parking.