Yakushidani Ravine - Ehime, Japan
I discovered Yakushidani Ravine (薬師谷渓谷) while looking for hiking spots near Uwajima. From what little I found, it's popular in summer thanks to campsites, BBQ areas, and a nearby river. Since buses were infrequent, I took one to a stop about 3.5 km away and walked from there.
At the trailhead, a sign warned that the trail was in rough shape due to mudslides, so I decided to play it by ear. The beginning wasn’t too bad—just a bit muddy from rain, and the moss-covered rocks made footing tricky.
As I went further, I noticed the wooden bridges, stairs, and campsites were in poor condition, some even rotting. I continued carefully and managed to visit two waterfalls. I tried to go deeper into the mountain, but the trail became too risky with rocks, debris, and more mud, so I turned back.
Overall, the trail isn’t well-maintained, but I hope they restore it someday—it’s a beautiful place.
Route Overview
Distance: 11.13 km out & back (Ideguchi Bus Stop)
Total elevation gain: 277 m
Duration: 2 hr 41 min (with breaks 3 hr 10 min)
Difficulty: Easy
Cost Breakdown
Bus: Uwajima Station → Ideguchi Bus Stop — ¥340
