日本最大級の木造復元天守

2004年の天守の木造復元以降、大洲市のシンボルとして大洲の中心にそびえ立ち、多くの方に愛されている大洲城。

2004年に復元された大洲城は、木造にこだわり史実に忠実に再現されている。日本の伝統技法を用いて復元された天守閣内の木組みは美しく、大迫力。大洲城のスタッフ曰く、「当時のお殿様が見ていた景色をそのまま見れるのが大洲城の良さ」。

また、四層四階建ての木造天守の復元は日本初であり、最大級の大きさを誇る。これには江戸期に作られた天守の内部構造の分かる木組みのひな型や、天守解体前に撮影された大洲城の古写真など、復元するには十分なほど資料が残っていたことが背景にあった。

History  & Background

Ozu Castle traces its origins back to 1331, during the late Kamakura period, when Toyofusa Utsunomiya, the governor of Iyo Province, built Jizogadake Castle. For 237 years, it served as the residence of various feudal lords. Following Toyotomi Hideyoshi's conquest of Shikoku, Ozu became the domain of several daimyos, including Kobayakawa Takakage, who initiated the modernization of the castle. Following the Battle of Sekigahara, the turbulent times began to settle, and the castle town started to take shape under the rule of notable figures such as Todo Takatora and Wakizaka Yasuharu, both master castle builders. Later, Kato Sadayasu became the lord of the castle, and the Kato clan continued to govern until the Meiji Restoration.

大洲城天守の木造復元

With the dawn of the Meiji era, most of the castle's structures were dismantled, and in 1888, the main keep was demolished due to deterioration. The current keep was reconstructed in 2004, thanks to local preservation efforts and donations. Experts used traditional construction techniques, and the restoration took nearly a decade. Remarkably, the four-story wooden keep, standing at 19.15 meters, was the first of its kind in Japan to be reconstructed after the war and remains the tallest. The restoration was based on old photographs from the Meiji period and extensive historical records, ensuring an accurate reproduction of its original appearance. The abundance of preserved materials is quite rare, making the restoration of Ozu Castle's keep a true culmination of local residents' dedication and meticulous historical research.

Ozu Castle Stay

Ozu Castle offers "Ozu Castle Castle Stay" where you can stay at the castle tower for the first time in Japan. Recreate the entrance of the castle owner Kato Sadayasu in 1617 and spend the night there. Dinner is also carefully selected from the local area and can be enjoyed in the existing turret. Please have an experience that can only be done in this area.