AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Koyabu Valley (小薮渓谷, Oyabu Keikoku) is a compact, forested gorge in Hijikawacho Uwagawa, Ozu City, Ehime, where the Oyabu River—a tributary of the clear Hijikawa—tumbles over rock in a chain of named waterfalls linked by a short walking path and five little bridges. It is the kind of quiet mountain-side spot that rewards a slow stroll rather than a long hike, sitting on the fringe of the Hijikawa Valley's onsen and riverside towns.↗↗↗
What makes it memorable is the play of water and stone: from each bridge you look down at a different waterfall from a different angle, while moss softens the steps and handrails and, in autumn, fallen maple leaves catch on the rocks in bright color. A torii gate and the Hakudai Ryuoo (Eight Great Dragon King) shrine mark the valley's entrance, lending the whole place a hushed, sacred atmosphere that visitors often call a hidden gem.↗↗
A Healing Gorge on the Hijikawa's Tributary
Tucked into the hills of Ozu City's Hijikawa area, Koyabu Valley lies on the lower reaches of the Oyabu River, which feeds into the Hijikawa—Ehime Prefecture's longest and one of its clearest rivers. The valley is designated as a prefectural natural park and is promoted locally as a negative-ion 'healing spot,' an easy natural escape where you can walk into the cool, green air without committing to a full day of trekking.
