Ozu train station
You will find a tourist information centre attached to Ozu train station, the gateway to Ozu. Not only can you get tourist information, but you can also purchase souvenirs. A place to visit prior and after your Ozu visit.
Stroll around Ozu old district (Ozu Hanakairo club)
What awaits you after alighting at Ozu Station, is castle-town that still retains the vestiges of its Castle Lord culture. By joining courses at the Hanakairo Club, you may tour the castle-town with a local guide. If you stroll through old-fashioned back alleys, you'll find shops lining the streets offering a variety of Ozu 's specialties.
Savor local delicacies of Ozu castle-town
local delicacies 'Shigure', 'Gessomochi' or 'Rikka no Utage' continue to be loved by the people of Ozu. Craftsman 's refined skills shine through this treats. Spend the afternoon chatting quietly while enjoying the gentle taste of Japanese confectionary.
Enjoy quality time at Garyu Sanso (villa)
Garyu Sanso, a masterpiece of sukiya architecture, stands on the shores of Hiji River. Its exquisite architecture, created by master craftsmen, and its garden, which changes its appearance depending on the season, give you a sense of what Japanese wabi-sabi stand for. By sharpening your senses and surrendering to the flow of the river, you will have a moment of peace for both body and mind.
Dinner on a river boat“ Ozu no Ukai”
At 'Ozu Ukai', considered one of the three major Cormorant fishing (ukai) of Japan, you can see the powerful cormorants at work and at a very close range. Enjoy the exceptional hand-rope skills of the ukai masters as they guide the cormorant to their prays, under the light of bonfires. The sight of cormorants catching the fish while splashing in the water is truly majestic. It is also a pleasure to spend time leisurely on a houseboat while enjoying local cuisine.
- Get to know Ozu 's ukai?
- Ozu, along with the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture and the Misumi River in Oita Prefecture, is one of the three major Cormorant fishing (ukai) in Japan. Ozu ukai is carried out using a method that is rare in Japan, called "Combined Cormorant fishing (ukai)," in which two houseboats surround a cormorant boat that has cooked a bonfire. It has been popular with tourists for a long time as a summer tradition.
Stay at Ozu 'NIPPONIA' Hotel, occupying renovated houses
This scattered hotel occupies recently renovated houses, combining the comfort of modern facilities with flavours of the past. The spaces, each with its own unique design, display hints of the original structures, giving a feeling of nostalgia and security. A special experience that makes you feel closer to Ozu castle-town.