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Ozu Castle was built in the early Edo period by Todo Takatora -hailed as a master castle builder- and Wakisaka Yasuharu.
The Kato family subsequently entered the castle and ruled the area as lords until the Meiji Restoration.
The culture of lords has had a great impact in Ozu, where a love of learning still pervades among its citizens.
The Kato family subsequently entered the castle and ruled the area as lords until the Meiji Restoration.
The culture of lords has had a great impact in Ozu, where a love of learning still pervades among its citizens.
castle-town scenery
Ozu emerged as a castle-town along Hiji River, protected by a moat-like riverbank.
This town escaped the ravages of war, and the rows of houses from the Edo and Meiji eras can still be found in their original form.
The stone pavement and brick streets give you a sense of the distant past, and the sight of people sprinkling water under the eaves in summer time evokes a sense of the good old days.
Representing the spirit of a city that is spinning continuously, engraved in Ozu DNA like the rings of a tree.
This town escaped the ravages of war, and the rows of houses from the Edo and Meiji eras can still be found in their original form.
The stone pavement and brick streets give you a sense of the distant past, and the sight of people sprinkling water under the eaves in summer time evokes a sense of the good old days.
Representing the spirit of a city that is spinning continuously, engraved in Ozu DNA like the rings of a tree.
- Ozu Akarengakan
- Flairs of England or France. Brick architecture, representative of Meiji era, when Japan increased its exchanges with the outside world. The roof is a fusion of Japanese and Western techniques, a hipped structure covered with Japanese tiles. A true testament to an era of civilization and enlightenment. Here you wll find a selection of high-quality Ozu souvenirs.
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- Aburaya (Restaurant)
- Across Ozu Akarengakan, there used to be an inn, established in late Edo period, named Aburaya. Preserving its name, nowadays Aburaya (Restaurant) is lit up with lanterns at night, and the delicious robatayaki dishes will surely put a smile on your face. Reminiscence of the times.
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- Ohanahan Street
- You can get a glimpse of the lives of common people of the past while strolling along the rows of old houses, pervading Ozu's old district. Flowers are arranged in waterways where carps swim, embellishing the landscape. This scenery peaks at dusk, during yhe light evening hours.
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Ozu Castle, standing on the shore of the Hiji River
Ozu castle keep, once emblem of the fortress but gone by 1888, was faithfully reconstructed in 2004.
The reconstruction began with the discovery of a model depicting the original structure, giving precious hints on how the castle was built.
Old photographs illustrating facades also contributed to the faithful restoration of the castle's original appearance
Ozu Kiso cypress, part of the timber used in the reconstruction of the castle, was cut from neighbouring Nyoho Temple, Ozu lords' clan temple.
The four-story structure is made out of 250-year-old Kiso cypress with a central pillar pierced through.
The wooden framework is massive, yet has a supple beauty.
The reconstruction began with the discovery of a model depicting the original structure, giving precious hints on how the castle was built.
Old photographs illustrating facades also contributed to the faithful restoration of the castle's original appearance
Ozu Kiso cypress, part of the timber used in the reconstruction of the castle, was cut from neighbouring Nyoho Temple, Ozu lords' clan temple.
The four-story structure is made out of 250-year-old Kiso cypress with a central pillar pierced through.
The wooden framework is massive, yet has a supple beauty.
A blissful night spent in the castle tower, miraculously reconstructed from the dead of night . Hereby, Castle Stay in Ozu.
Partake the intimate space of ancient Ozu rulers.
As the Kato clan -lords of the castle for over two centuries- did, enjoy the castle-town scenery from the heights of the keep
A first in Japan, you may spend a night in a in a wooden castle keep.
As the Kato clan -lords of the castle for over two centuries- did, enjoy the castle-town scenery from the heights of the keep
A first in Japan, you may spend a night in a in a wooden castle keep.
Garyu Sanso (villa) is a famous building with the ultimate in style.
A stone wall portraying a small boat and the moon floating on the river surface.
Hermitage, doubled as tea house, reflecting moonlight gently floating on the Hiji River.
Each expression of wabi-sabi, essence of master craftsman, is expressed in its architecture.
The view of Garyu-in from its verandah is truly breathtaking, a memorable moment.
It has the power of teaching us the richness of immersing ourselves in a peaceful moment.
Hermitage, doubled as tea house, reflecting moonlight gently floating on the Hiji River.
Each expression of wabi-sabi, essence of master craftsman, is expressed in its architecture.
The view of Garyu-in from its verandah is truly breathtaking, a memorable moment.
It has the power of teaching us the richness of immersing ourselves in a peaceful moment.
A masterpiece of Sukiya style architecture, overhanging the Hiji River.
Enjoy the four seasons from Garyu Sanso (villa).
Enjoy the four seasons from Garyu Sanso (villa).
Fresh greenery and autumn leaves are reflected like a mirror on the clear blue water surface of the Garyu gorge. Fascinated by its beauty, Torajiro Kouchi, a wealthy local trader, invited master craftsmen from Kyoto to build his summer villa.
Temple of the castle lords
The precincts of the Nyoho Temple are carefully concealed in the lush greenery of Mt. Tomisu.
It has a mysterious appearance, giving the impression that it is being protected by something.<br>Nyoho Temple was founded by Yasuoki Kato, the second lord of Ozu domain.
A Zen Buddhist temple (Rinzai sect), dedicated to the Edo period rulers.
Seven of lords of the Kato family, who ruled the Ozu domain for 13 generations, are buried here.
It has a mysterious appearance, giving the impression that it is being protected by something.<br>Nyoho Temple was founded by Yasuoki Kato, the second lord of Ozu domain.
A Zen Buddhist temple (Rinzai sect), dedicated to the Edo period rulers.
Seven of lords of the Kato family, who ruled the Ozu domain for 13 generations, are buried here.
Nyoho Temple
Conservation and restoration work was carried out in 2015, returning the gambrel-style, tiled-roofed Buddha hall to its original appearance. In the interior, the beautiful ceiling painting of a dragon embellishes the room, where a golden statue of Shaka Norai Buddha is enshrined.
River boat tokai
Catching the refreshing breeze of early summer,
Looking up at Garyu Sanso from the ukai boat
Under the light of a bonfire, a cormorant master skillfully manipulates cormorants to capture ayu Cormorant fishing (ukai)
Once a festive enjoyment for the benefit of Ozu castle rulers, it was revived recently and has been adopted by locals as a summer past time .
Perfect summer notes: fine dining on the ukai boat, surrounded by the sound of the water, the rustling of leaves, and the ever-changing color of the sky.
Looking up at Garyu Sanso from the ukai boat
Under the light of a bonfire, a cormorant master skillfully manipulates cormorants to capture ayu Cormorant fishing (ukai)
Once a festive enjoyment for the benefit of Ozu castle rulers, it was revived recently and has been adopted by locals as a summer past time .
Perfect summer notes: fine dining on the ukai boat, surrounded by the sound of the water, the rustling of leaves, and the ever-changing color of the sky.
Ozu Ukai
A cormorant fisherman dressed in traditional costume, skillfully manipulates a cormorant to catch ayu from a small boat. Board an ukai boat, boasting flickering flames to entice sweetfish, and witness the spectacle deployed before your eyes.