Enjoy the grace of Hiji River

A first-class river flowing through the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture, Hiji River.

Food such as "river fish" and "Imotaki (local hot pot)".

"Industry" was used as a river road.

"Cormorant fishing (ukai)" is a tradition of Ozu.

The history of Ozu has been spun together with Hiji River.

In recent years, in order to spread the charm of Hiji River rooted in Ozu,

Activities such as canoeing and SUP, Kawabiraki events, markets, etc.

There is a growing movement to make effective use of Hiji River.

A river rooted in Ozu, Hiji River

The Hiji River, which bends like an elbow, flows into the Seto Inland Sea after a road of about 103 km.

With 474 tributaries, it is the fifth largest river in Japan, and it is a truly unique river that meanders gently along a straight-line distance of just 18 km from its source to its mouth.

In addition, Ozu was originally called "Otsu" using the character "Tsu" which means port, and has a history of being mainly used as a road for transporting timber.

At Hiji River, various ways to enjoy the event are currently proposed, such as canoeing, SUP, boat tours, and events.

Utilizing the new recreational area "Shiroshitakawaminato"

Currently, the newly developed "Shiroshita Kawaminato" under the Ozu Castle along the Hiji River is where canoeing, SUP, and events are held.

Since 2018, Ozu City has been working on the "Hiji River Kawa machitsukuri */ urban & community development" to revitalize the development and use of the Hiji River.

As part of this, the Shiroshitagawa Minato area has been developed into a plaza where food trucks can be called, as well as a space that incorporates universal design and can be used by people of all ages.

In order for many people to enjoy Hiji River, "Ozu Plage" will be held only in the summer from 2023.

Hiji River By placing parasols and chairs along the way, it is a space where locals and tourists can relax, and canoeing and SUP can be easily experienced.

Bringing a new culture to Hiji River

This "Ozu Plage" is planned and operated by Taichi Sugii, a community revitalization volunteer in Ozu City Mr./Ms.

In 2022, Mr./Ms. Sugii was appointed to the Ozu City Community Revitalization Cooperation Volunteers and is working on Hiji River Kawa urban & community development.

Based on the belief that we want to make Hiji River more of a playground, we hold events such as the aforementioned Ozu Plage, Cormorant fishing (ukai) boatmen, canoe instructors, and Hiji River so that local people can enjoy it.

"It's hard to treat this kind of thing as just a job. You have to do it as part of your life."

Mr./Ms. Sugii's involvement with Hiji River began with a canoeing experience in elementary school.

It is no exaggeration to say that he grew up with Hiji River, joining the canoe club after experiencing canoeing, and in high school, he won 8th place in the inter-high school canoe club and 5th place in the Ehime Kokutai.

Mr./Ms. Sugii was saddened by the fact that the number of people using Hiji River was decreasing, and started Ozu Plage to create a new "culture" in Hiji River.

If there are umbrellas and food trucks at Ozu Plage on a daily basis, people will gather and it will create a play area.

Sugii's vision is to make this a culture.

In addition, since last year, he has been involved in the management of the event "Hiji River Kawabiraki" using Hiji River.

Hiji River At Kawabiraki, there will be canoeing and SUP experiences, as well as tent saunas and food trucks.

This may also be the origin of the "culture" that Sugii speaks of.

If you go to Hiji River, you might meet someone, eat something, or experience something.

Everyone has their own way of interacting with Hiji River, but he says it's his role to provide them with that option.

Enjoy Hiji River on a boat tour

Mr./Ms. Miyaoka is a boatman who goes around Cormorant fishing (ukai) and is active in various ways, including the owner of "Hatagoya Kirinaka", "Cafe Kirigakure", and "PIZZA HOUSE F.O.G", as well as his family's fruit farmer and canoe instructor.

He also actively participates in events in Ozu City, selling pizza made with vegetables grown in Ozu.

Mr./Ms. Miyaoka is also a person who has a passion for Ozu and Hiji River more than anyone else.

His grandfather was originally a boatman for Cormorant fishing (ukai), and his memories of playing in the river since he was a child were the reasons why Mr./Ms. Miyaoka started boating.

"When I was stationed in China at my previous job and living in Canada, I couldn't explain the appeal of Ozu as my hometown, so after I made a U-turn to Ozu, I was able to learn about the appeal of Ozu by participating in training and events."

This was the impetus for Mr./Ms. Miyaoka to take on various challenges with Ozu.

In fact, many of the people who live in Ozu have never been on a Cormorant fishing (ukai) or boat in Hiji River.

The reason why Miyaoka rowes the boat tours is because he wants local people to feel more familiar with the river.

The good thing about Hiji River that Mr./Ms. Miyaoka talks about is that Hiji River is a sense of relaxation and comfort.

In order to convey the goodness of Hiji River to customers who go around the boat, he plays a role as a rower while devising every day.

"It's important that you enjoy it yourself. In the end, you do it because it's fun, and if you don't enjoy it, you can't recommend it to others."

True to his words, Mr./Ms. Miyaoka himself enjoys Ozu, which is why he can convey the wonders of Ozu to both Ozu and tourists.

Ozu Castle Town Boat Tour

The "Ozu Castle Boat Tour" is a regular cruise around Hiji River that began in July 2022.

Every summer, houseboats float along the Hiji River of Ozu 's Castle Town, and you can enjoy tourist attractions such as Ozu Castle and Garyu Sanso (villa) from the boat.

The two people introduced this time are also boatmen on the "Ozu Castle Town Boat Tour."

We hope that you will experience the goodness of Hiji River that the two of you talk about.

Each way to enjoy

In addition to the two people introduced this time, many other people are involved in the use of Hiji River, but the use of Hiji River has only just begun.

Please come to Ozu and experience the joy of Hiji River.

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Here are the Instagram accounts of the people introduced today.