A Small Castle Town in Shikoku, Ehime
Like many rural areas in Japan, Ozu City has faced a declining population,
 leading to an increase in vacant homes
 and challenges in preserving its historic townscape.

Preserving the local culture of Ozu
To protect the identity of the town.
Focusing on the revitalization and utilization of historical buildings
With the power of locals / residents, companies, and travelers, a miraculous rebirth was achieved.
Tourist urban & community development in Ozu is
It started with a sense of crisis for the city.

"Sustainable Tourism urban & community development" recognized by the world

Ozu 's "Tourism urban & community development Utilizing Historical Resources" initiative, which is now globally acclaimed.
In 2023, it won first place in the world in the "Culture and Tradition Preservation" category of the Green Destinations Story Awards, which recognizes efforts in sustainable tourism destinations. In 2024, it won the Silver Award at the Green Destinations "World Sustainable Tourism Awards".

By involving residents, businesses, the government, and even tourists visiting the Ozu, and weaving the culture of this place, Ozu 's tourism urban & community development is achieved.

The Urgency to Preserve Ozu’s Historic Townhouses 

Ozu City was once a Castle Town that prospered with Wax production, washi, and Silk cultivation industries.
The Castle Town of the Ozu, called Konan district, is lined with many old houses from the Edo to Showa periods, and the townscape that retains the appearance of that time was also used as a filming location for various dramas and movies such as "Ohanahan" and "Tokyo Love Story".
There are still many places where you can feel the prosperity of Castle Town, such as the Ozu Castle, which is completely restored with wooden structures, and the Garyu Sanso (villa), which is located in one of the best scenic spots in the Ozu.

However, in recent years, the scenic townscape of Castle Town was on the verge of disappearing all at once. In the Castle Town of Ozu, depopulation, declining birthrate, aging population, and the increase in vacant houses became serious problems, and many owners were on the verge of losing their Castle Town scenery, with many owners clearing their private houses into parking lots.

Therefore, Ozu City tried to solve the problem by using a method called "Tourism urban & community development Utilizing Historical Resources."
By collaborating with the government, financial institutions, and private businesses, we worked to preserve historical buildings, attract tourists, and revitalize Castle Town.

Local Youth Leading the Revitalization Movement 

The town was filled with vacant homes—many without owners, some already falling into disrepair. 

Alongside official redevelopment projects, a group of local youth concerned about the town’s future established the NPO YATSUGI. This initiative took charge of cleaning, repairing shoji screens, and conducting minor maintenance on vacant houses on behalf of absentee owners. Their efforts helped ease the concerns of property owners while slowing down the deterioration of these historic buildings.

In addition, through an event called "MACHIBITO under the castle" that utilizes old private houses, activities were carried out in parallel to opening stores in old private houses in Ozu.

Shops and Hotels in Restored Historic Homes 

Through projects involving industry, government, and finance and YATSUGI's initiatives, the town of Ozu has gradually returned to its vitality. In the Castle Town area, 31 historical buildings have been renovated over the course of six years, and old houses are being used in various ways, such as shops selling local products, cafes that take advantage of the high-quality atmosphere of old houses, and shops selling craft products.

In 2020, one of the largest decentralized hotel" NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town" Japan opened in a vacant house that was converted into a hotel room.
Castle Town is designed as a new form of travel that allows visitors to experience the history, culture, and life of Ozu by touring the town through their stay.
In addition, just as the first floor of the Castle Town townhouses in the past was used as shops and the second floor as residences, there are many buildings in NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town that use the first floor as an old folk house shop and the second floor as a hotel room.

Japan’s First Castle Stay Experience at Ozu Castle 

As part of the tourism urban & community development that utilizes historical resources, efforts to preserve cultural properties for the future have also begun. The best example of this is the "Ozu Castle Castle Stay", which offers accommodation in a completely restored wooden Ozu Castle.

This first-of-its-kind experience in Japan begins with the sound of conch shells.
You can relive the history of various Ozu, such as recreating the scene of the entrance of the Castle Lord at that time, awarding the castle owner's certificate by the vassals, welcoming the gun by the gun corps, and performing traditional performing arts.
Dinner is served in the Takapara Tower, which is an existing turret, and breakfast is served in Castle Lord with carefully selected local ingredients from Garyu Sanso (villa), which is an important cultural property of Japan.
Initiatives related to Castle Stay not only enhance the value of Ozu Castle, but also contribute to raising the name recognition of the entire region and preserving local culture.

Exploring Ozu’s Narrative Through “OZU STORIES”

Ozu offers an experience called "OZU STORIES" where you can experience the stories of Ozu with a guide called "Sougibito".
We will tour the history and urban & community development of the Ozu, as well as the story of the revitalization of old folk houses, with "spinners" who are familiar with Ozu.
In addition to providing information on Castle Town, you can deepen your understanding of the Ozu through interaction with local people and enjoy sightseeing as a party to the urban & community development.
In addition, "OZU STORIES" donates 5% of its profits to organizations that promote the preservation of the town, and participating in this journey itself is an activity that weaves Ozu culture.

Old house utilization map

>You can download it here