Yagen Valley
Discover Yagen Valley
The Yagen Valley (薬研渓谷, Yagen-keikoku) is a remote mountain valley in the middle of the Shimokita Peninsula, on the Japanese island of Honshu. There are only two tiny settlements in the entire valley: Yagen Onsen (薬研温泉), a tiny hot-spring hamlet, and Oku-Yagen (奥薬研), population zero but featuring some more hot springs. These hot springs have more than 400 years of tradition.
What to Experience in Yagen Valley
Taste of Yagen Valley...
Not available
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere are two paved roads into the valley. The main route from Ohata (15 km away) and Mutsu has one bus per day at 08:40, while the shortcut connecting to Mount Osore has none. A dirt trail, navigable by 4x4 in summer, traverses through the valley to the remote west coast. Oku-Yagen and Yagen Onsen are 2 km apart and connected by a paved road and a forest trail. Most of the time it will be faster to walk than wait for the bus. Oku-Yagen has 3 excellent open-air hot springs, all offering views of the Ohata River rushing through the valley: Pretty much the only other form of entertainment is hiking. A very picturesque forest trail runs along the side of the river between the two hamlets, partly on the tracks of an old mining railway. The fall colors in the valley are particularly famous. The local speciality is wild boar (inoshishi). There are only 3 places to eat, drink or shop in the entire valley: Most visitors eat and drink at their own lodgings....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Oku-Yagen and Yagen Onsen are 2 km apart and connected by a paved road and a forest trail. Most of the time it will be faster to walk than wait for the bus. Oku-Yagen has 3 excellent open-air hot springs, all offering views of the Ohata River rushing through the valley: Pretty much the only other form of entertainment is hiking. A very picturesque forest trail runs along the side of the river between the two hamlets, partly on the tracks of an old mining railway. The fall colors in the valley are particularly famous. The local speciality is wild boar (inoshishi). There are only 3 places to eat, drink or shop in the entire valley: Most visitors eat and drink at their own lodgings. If you're camping, bring your own supplies. Yagen Onsen has several midrange minshuku/ryokan, offering a tatami for the night and two meals for ¥8000 plus. Many close for the winter season.
Where to Stay
Yagen Onsen has several midrange minshuku/ryokan, offering a tatami for the night and two meals for ¥8000 plus. Many close for the winter season.