The clear Hiji River flows through the center of Ozu.

Hiji River is a first-class river that flows through the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture. Its headwaters are located at an altitude of 460 meters, and flows into the Seto Inland Sea, connecting 474 tributaries. The number of tributaries is among the top five in the country. The distance from the source to the mouth of the river is only 18 kilometers in a straight line, but as the name suggests, the river curves like an elbow, and its total length is 103 kilometers. According to one verse, the name comes from the fact that it is curved like an elbow.

In the past, Hiji River was used as a ``water route'' to transport timber felled in mountainous areas to the river mouth. Cultures such as ``Ukai'' and `` Imotaki (local hot pot)'' that remain in Ozu even today are traceable to the history that has been accumulated along with Hiji River. Hiji River is indispensable to the lives of the people of Ozu.

1. Ozu Castle Boat Tour
2. View from the boat
3. Other “boats”
4. How to enjoy Ozu

1. Ozu Castle Boat Tour

（※画像の臥龍山荘ルートは、5月27日～9月20日まで）

Houseboats float along Hiji River. Tourists can ride it and tour castle-town. An elegant moment to take in the sights of castle-town and tourist attractions that can only be seen from a boat. The ``Ozu Castle Town Boat Tour'', a regular boat that travels around Hiji River Hijigawa River, will begin operating in July 2022.

About using the boat tour

チケット購入

大洲観光総合案内所（まちの駅あさもや内）またはおおず赤煉瓦館で、チケットを購入してください。
【営業時間　午前9:00～午後5:00】

※チケット購入時に、乗船時間を指定していただきます。

Fee

Adults 1,100 yen / Children (junior high school students and younger) 550 yen
*Free for infants

乗船コースと運行ダイヤ

5/1～5/25、9/21～9/29の期間（運行中）

＜乗り場＞
➣乗り場の地図はこちらから（5/1～5/25、9/21～9/29の期間は肱南川原のりば（高河原））

＜乗船コース＞

肱南川原のりば（高河原）　→　大洲城下下船場　→　肱南川原のりば（高河原）

• 乗船は「肱南川原のりば（高河原）」のみ可能です
• 「大洲城下下船場」では下船のみ可能です。

＜運行ダイヤ＞

1周約60分のコースです。

• 月曜日・木曜日は運休です。

5/27～9/20の期間（休止中）

＜乗り場＞
➣乗り場の地図はこちらから（5/27～9/20の期間は肱南川原のりば）

＜乗船コース＞

肱南川原のりば　→　大洲城下下船場　→　臥龍山荘下下船場　→　肱南川原のりば

• 乗船は「肱南川原のりば」のみ可能です。
• 「大洲城下下船場」「臥龍山荘下下船場」では下船のみ可能です。

＜運行ダイヤ＞

1周約45分のコースです。

• 月曜日・木曜日は運休です。ただし（7/21～8/31の期間中は木曜日のみ運休となります。）

Notes

• Once tickets have been purchased, no changes or refunds will be accepted for boarding time.
• For your safety, please follow the instructions of the crew during operation.
• Depending on the season, river water levels, and other river conditions, there may be places where it is not possible to tour.
• Due to weather conditions, etc., the service may be canceled in a hurry. In the event of a cancellation, we will announce it on Facebook (Ozu Machi no eki 'Asamoya', Ozu Tourist Info). For inquiries about the status of the service, please call Ozu Tourist Info (0893-57-6655).

Platform/Access

肱南川原のりば（高河原）はこちら（5/1～5/25、9/21～9/29の期間）

 

肱南川原のりばはこちら（5/27～9/20の期間）

 

2. View from the boat

You can hop on board the regularly scheduled ships at any time while sightseeing Ozu. When you want to feel the calm and cool flow of Hiji River, or when you think the waterscape reflected on the water's surface looks beautiful, you'll want to take a chance on a boat. Looking up at Garyu Sanso (villa) and Furo-an from below, Ozu Castle reflected in the waterscape, Ozu Castle covered in cherry blossoms, sweetfish swimming in the river...you might be able to encounter an unexpected moment.

On days with calm winds, you can enjoy the beautiful water mirror.

肱川河畔に暮らしを営んできた大洲の風情を感じられる

3. Other ways to enjoy Hiji River

There are several boat excursion plans on Hiji River.

Hijikawa sightseeing

Experience the flow of Hiji River in a relaxed mood while being blown by the river breeze.
If you make a reservation in advance, you can also enjoy a meal while sightseeing.

About Hijikawa sightseeing

Ozu Ukai

"Ozu Ukai" is called Japan of the three major ukai, and it is carried out in a method called "matched ukai," which is rare in Japan, in which cormorants with bonfires and passenger houseboats run together to go down the river, and you can see the sight of cormorants catching fish while splashing in the water. The cormorant master who controls the cormorant is dressed in a raven hat and a loincloth, and his skillful hand-handling is breathtakingly stunning.

About sightseeing in Ozu

Hiji River canoe experience

Comes with a guide that is safe even for beginners. After meeting at the roadside station Seiryu no Sato Hijikawa, a 30-minute canoeing lecture will be held. The gentle flow of Hiji River is gentle even for beginners, and a guide will accompany you for a safe canoeing experience. Because Hiji River is closely connected to the lives of the people of Ozu, you can get a glimpse of the local way of life through this experience.

About the Hiji River canoe experience

4. How to enjoy Ozu

Ozu City is a town that has prospered due to the blessings of Hiji River. The good old townscape that flourished as castle-town during the Edo period still retains a strong vestige. Please come and relax in this beautiful castle-town that stands on the shores of Lake Hiji River.

Stay as if you were living there [Inn]

Staying at a kominka -old abode- in the old castle-town or at a centennial hot spring inn, quietly lingering in upstream grounds, will enhance your visit and allow you a closer look into Ozu's environment and history. Lose yourself among old tales and relax surrounded by he murmuring of Hiji River and the gentle wind flowing through its basin. Enjoy a special stay in Ozu where space is presented wild, unprocessed and undecorated.

Enjoy the nature and architecture of Suigo [Walk around town]

Ozu castle-town is lined with famous buildings that are associated with Hiji River, such as Ozu Ozu Castle and Garyu Sanso (villa). Ozu Castle was built in the early Edo period, during the era of Todo Takatora or Wakisaka Yasuharu, who was hailed as a master castle builder.
The clear blue water surface of Garyu-buchi reflects fresh greenery and autumn leaves like a mirror. Fascinated by its beauty, Torajiro Kawachi, a local famous person, invited a master craftsman from Kyoto to build Garyu Sanso (villa). It has been designated as a national important cultural property, and you can enjoy the beauty of the Sukiya-style architecture and beautiful Japanese garden. In 2011, it received one star from the Michelin Green Guide Japan. It has also been selected as one of the 100 most famous buildings in the world by the Dream Museum.

Enjoy seasonal delicacies [Food]

Ozu castle was the fief of the Ozu lords, overseeing a small domain of 60,000 koku. This was a region gifted with sea, mountains, and water streams, bundled by the Hiji River. Local produce abounded and has been nurturing the area for more than 400 years. In days of yore, delicacies were presented to local lords. Refined sake, grown with great care by brewers in the upper reaches of Hiji River, has filled local souls for centuries too. Enjoy local food brought to you by the wisdom of local ancestors, who lived with the flow.