Driving to Iya Valley February is it safe

Hi, I am planning a road trip from Osaka - Shikoku in Feb 16-26, I will be renting car. Thinking of staying at iyanoyado kazuraya(Hotel) near Iya Valley. But I am not sure if the road condition to iyanoyado kazuraya will be too dangerous? Anybody have any experience driving to Iya valley during Feb?

Thank you.

Because of narrow streets, the Iya Valley is scary to drive even outside winter, especially further east up the valley. If you add the possibility of winter conditions, I would not recommend driving there to people who are not very confident about their driving skills.

If you only stay in the area around the main bridge, it is not as bad. But I think it is better to avoid driving in winter conditions if you are not used to driving in winter conditions. There may or may not be any snow and ice.

Just confirming - I had the same question a few years ago when I visited Shikoku in winter.

I ended up deciding to skip it - even though it looks amazing. I've also driven a full loop around Shikoku and found it mighty picturesque, but the roads are much more rural and windy than those found on Honshu, Kyushu or even the main Okinawa Islands.

There are also (anecdotally) more old drivers and people that speed on Shikoku than in other areas. The only time I've driven in Semi Snow was also in Shikoku (I was driving a K car on a tollway pass) and I don't want to do that again....

Hi Uji,

Thank you for the advise, I think i better head your advise avoid driving to Iya Valley, do you happen to know driving to the scarecrow village will be just as bad?
My husband have driven in Hokkaido during winter, and we realise when there is snow on ground is not as bad, but when it turn ice is rather dangerous.
You mentioned that staying along main road do you mean along Miyoshi City Hall area?
Thank you once again for your reply, it has been really helpful.

Hi Mfedley,

Yes I saw your question you post a few years back, was hoping you see my question and reply, as your previous thread was quite some time ago not sure if you still active. I am so glad you saw.
So in the end you did not go to Iya Valley? Did you go to the scarecrow village? How was the road condition when you went? Alot of snow? Or very Icy road? Any area that I should avoid or I should go?
Do you happen to still have your Itinerary? I am so lost, this is the first time I plan for a trip...
Sorry alot of questions. Thank you

Unless if you rent an off road-capable 4WD vehicle with winter tires or chained tires, etc., I probably wouldn't recommend it. You'd be a lot safer taking the highway, than any narrow, snowy mountain pass. Granted, I don't live anywhere near that area, nor have I ever visted.

It's a small world Han123 - as I was living in Singapore at the beginning of covid. Now onto your questions.

I don't know how much driving you have done outside of Singapore - so I can't comment on specifics. All I can comment on is some really challenging driving. In general - I stayed on the main roads and there are not many tollroads in Shikoku so expect travel in the south of the island to be slow.

The only slightly difficult driving up north from memory was a couple of temples and shrines which you'll see on google maps when you put in the instructions. In general - you won't likely come up against much in the way of snow unless there is the rare dumping of snow which occurs every couple of years. I did not see the Scarecrow village as this is in the mountains. My trip is below:

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2484
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2496
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2498
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2501
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2507
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2504
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2505
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2508
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2509
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2510
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2511
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-2514

Dear Mfedley,

Thank you so much for your itinerary. Really helpful in planning my trip. Yap I will head your advice and avoid small road, think we are not confident enough. We drove in some trips in the past, closest was Hokkaido, but that is different I guess, as is snow road and not icy road, which is my worry.

Once again thank you very much.