Saijo as base for Shikoku in May

We would like to explore the Iya Valley, interested in hiking and beautiful drives. We will have a rental car and arrive in Saijo at the beginning of May for four days. Where would you suggest? We do have an Ebike tour in Imabari and looking at the Gorge in Kochi.

From Saijo to Oku-Iya, Google maps says 2.5h, which, IMO, sounds quite optimistic. If you want to hike in addition to the seeing the other tourist attractions, then you need (at least) two days.

Technically, you could use Saijo as a base. I would not, but I know some people who would not mind driving that long two days in a row.

You could do 2 nights in Saijo and 2 around Oboke.

I also agree that Saiyo is too far for day trips. I also visited the Iya valley not too long ago and found the roads to be more narrow and windy than most places in Japan. As such - it can take longer to drive than what it states on Google Maps in some locations.

As the area is quite hilly - note that most locations would be more what I'd consider hiking in hills/mountains than pleasent and easy walks. Others may know more than I.

If money is no object - there are also meant to be some really nice but expensive gassho huts (thatched roofed homes) which can be hired in the Iya valley which are meant to be spectacular. They were out of my price range when I visited but I did stay at a nice onsen ryokan which had a good deal on a small single room and had a fantastic kaiseki dinner which was nice by Japanese standards.