Healing Journey on the Secret Railway

Check in at Ehime Prefecture's hidden train stations 🚉 A summer healing trip around Iyo City by local railway

This niche railway line is perfect for photography! Looking out the window, you see the Seto Inland Sea, so blue it feels unreal. It's recommended to visit in the morning or evening when the sunlight is gentle and there are fewer people—every shot looks like a scene from a Japanese drama～

📍Recommended itinerary:
Day 1:
🚃 JR Shimonada Station - Known as "the station closest to the sea," the platform faces the Seto Inland Sea directly, offering a stunning view of islands floating on the water. It's best to take the Yosan Line from Matsuyama Station, about a 30-minute one-way trip. The station still preserves a retro wooden station building, especially beautiful at dusk.

🏘️ Iyo-Ozu - Continue west by JR for about 20 minutes. This area retains the atmosphere of an Edo-period castle town. Must-visit spots include Ozu Castle and the old townhouses along the Hiji River, where you can also experience handmade washi paper.

Day 2:
🚞 Uchiko Town - Transfer to the Uchiko Line from Ozu Station for about 15 minutes. The entire old street is a designated important traditional architecture preservation district. The white-walled earthen storehouses in the Yokaichi Gokoku area are especially photogenic. It's recommended to watch a traditional puppet show at Uchikoza Theater and buy local wood wax products as souvenirs.

Return to Shimonada Station in the evening, and don’t forget to buy a bottle of Ehime mikan soda at the shop in front of the station. Sit on the platform bench and watch the sunset to perfectly end this railway journey～

🍊 Food recommendations:
- Tangerine ice cream on Dogo Onsen Street
- Chicken tempura in Ozu
- Tsukudani (preserved food) in Uchiko Town

📸 Photo tips:
1. Wear light-colored clothes at Shimonada Station
2. Uchiko Town is perfect for kimono experiences
3. Preparing a railway pass will be more cost-effective