on July 1 to mark the official opening of climbing season. Saijō Archaeological History Museum This three-story building located in the "Citizen's Forest" on Mount Hachidō displays artifacts unearthed in the region, the oldest holdings being pottery and tools dating back to the Yayoi period. The third floor features a gallery for special exhibitions, and visitors can see as far as the Nishiseto Expressway from the museum balcony. Two Yayoi period dwellings were reconstructed on the top of Mount Hachidō and are accessible via several trails leaving from the museum. The exterior of the museum is illuminated at night. Nishiyama Kōryū-ji One of the designated "20 Sacred Places of Shikoku", areas associated with Kūkai but not part of the 88-temple pilgrimage, this Shingon temple is renowned in Shikoku for its fall foliage. It is located in Tanbara on the eastern side of the Takanawa mountain range. Horseshoe crabs The Saijō area is known for Tachypleus tridentatus, an Asian species of horseshoe crab. This species is known by the common name "helmet crabs" (kabutogani). The Tōyo Cultural Center features an exhibit on the crabs and several live specimens on display. A mascot character named "Kabuchan", a horseshoe crab with a heart on its underside, was created in Saijō. Notable people from Saijō Kaori Manabe, television personality and model (born 1980) Yuto Nagatomo, football player (born 1986) Yukio Seki, leader of the "Shikishima-tai" squadron, one of the first kamikaze units (1921-1944) Shinji Sogō, credited with the creation of the Shinkansen, second mayor of Saijo (1884-1981) Nobutaka Taguchi, Gold medalist in the 100 m breaststroke at the 1972 Summer Olympics (born 1951 in Tōyo) Jujiro Wada, was an adventurer, entrepreneur, and prospector (1872-5 March 1937) References External links Cities in Ehime Prefecture Port settlements in Japan Populated coastal places in Japan