The closest train station is Iyo-SaijÅ on the JR Yosan Line from Matsuyama to Takamatsu. From Okayama, the Shiokaze Limited Express train makes hourly runs to Iyo-SaijÅ station 1 hour 50 minutes; ¥4940. The ride from Takamatsu is 90 minutes using the Ishizuchi limited express ¥4520.
From Iyo-SaijÅ, there are connecting buses to the start of the ropeway 1 hour, ¥970, but there are only 4 buses daily. They're run by the Seto Inland transportation service (http://www.setouchibus.co.jp/) tel +081 0898-23-3450. The 10:23AM bus is the last that will get you to Ishizuchi in time to make the climb and catch the last bus back 5:22PM. A detailed schedule can be found online (http://www.ishizuchi.com/...) in Japanese.
The Ishizuchi #7, departing Takamatsu at 8:44AM, and the Shiokaze #3, departing Okayama at 8:30AM, will allow you to meet the 10:23AM bus. From Matsuyama, the 9:12AM Shiokaze #12 will also allow you to catch this bus. Shiokaze and Ishizuchi trains generally split and combine at Utazu station.
