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Tourism making use of historic resources
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- Tourism making use of historic resources
Activities to protect the town.
Ozu, located in the southwestern part of Ehime Prefecture, flourished as a castle-town along the Hiji River, expanding subsequently to the surrounding mountains and the Seto Inland Sea coast.
Fragments of the historic townscape, dating back to Edo and Meiji periods, have been preserved, centered around Ozu Castle.
However, maintaining centennial abodes represents a challenge due to overall depopulation and aging of owners.
Faced with demolition threats, new initiatives sprouted in recent years to preserve the townscape.
Ozu 's sustainable tourism urban & community development, which is being promoted through a public private partnership, is not only renovating castle-town townhouses, but putting a new use to them through the implementation of a scattered hotel or the fostering of new shop openings.
Preservation and utilization of the townscape, the core of Ozu's daily activities, has been widely recognized as an excellent example of local efforts, among others by Green Destinations 2022 and 2023 ``Top 100 Sustainable Tourism Destinations in the World '' Ta. (ranked 1st in ITB Berlin 2023 Green Destinations Story Awards, "Culture & Tradition" category). This motivates us to pursue our aim of fostering a sustainable urban & community development, while protecting local resources.
If you are interested in urban & community development in Ozu, please click in the link below
here.
Fragments of the historic townscape, dating back to Edo and Meiji periods, have been preserved, centered around Ozu Castle.
However, maintaining centennial abodes represents a challenge due to overall depopulation and aging of owners.
Faced with demolition threats, new initiatives sprouted in recent years to preserve the townscape.
Ozu 's sustainable tourism urban & community development, which is being promoted through a public private partnership, is not only renovating castle-town townhouses, but putting a new use to them through the implementation of a scattered hotel or the fostering of new shop openings.
Preservation and utilization of the townscape, the core of Ozu's daily activities, has been widely recognized as an excellent example of local efforts, among others by Green Destinations 2022 and 2023 ``Top 100 Sustainable Tourism Destinations in the World '' Ta. (ranked 1st in ITB Berlin 2023 Green Destinations Story Awards, "Culture & Tradition" category). This motivates us to pursue our aim of fostering a sustainable urban & community development, while protecting local resources.
If you are interested in urban & community development in Ozu, please click in the link below
here.
OZU STORIES ~Story of Ozu castle-town Revival~
Ozu castle-town latest regeneration undertakings were initiated by the likes of “Machibito”. “You will have a chance to learn more about their efforts by joining OZU STORIES tour~” a journey to encounter restored historical buildings under the guidance of a local guide who connects town and “travelers.”
Tailor-made tour to enjoy the entire town
Explore the city of Ozu with a private guide, selecting your topic of choice: themes related to nature, architecture, and culture. Furthermore, you can choose from selected experiences such as chartered cultural properties or handcrafted workshops, allowing you to compose you own visit to Ozu and its surrounding areas.
Main topic
There are 4 courses that will allow you to experience the charm of Ozu and its surrounding environment, giving central stage to its main natural feature: the Hiji River. An alluring history and breathtaking landscapes await you.
- Learn about the area and meet local people
- Through interaction with local people, learn about efforts to revitalize a declining town.
- Traditional architecture of Ozu and Uchiko
- Stroll through Ozu and Uchiko towns, which flourished thanks to wax or silk production industries. And explore in detail their unique culture and architecture.
- Cycling along Hiji River
- Ride an electric bicycle and explore the Hiji River and its surrounding areas, boasting deep historical and cultural connections with central Ozu.
- Enjoying Hiji River in a canoe
- Board a canoe and slide downstream the clear Hiji River. This will allow you to enjoy Ozu's nature and history, tightly related to the watercourse and its riverbanks.
Options
You can spice your courses with optional experiences, such as private tours of local cultural properties, visits to workshops of local craftsmen or food related experiences. We are constantly updating the content of our the options, in collaboration with locals businesses. So please feel free to contact our team, to keep with the latest updates.
- all
- culinary culture
- handcraft
- Nature
- outdoor wellness
- history and culture
- outdoor wellness
- Nature
- history and culture
- At the wooden hanging structure “Sukuna Hikona Shrine Sangoden”
Mroning yoga at “Sukuna Hikona Shrine, Sanroden Hall” - Surrounded by lush greenery, you can enjoy this peculiar architecture while relaxing in a morning yoga session.
- Nature
- history and culture
- culinary culture
- 'Garyu Sanso' Tea House ”
Early morning private tour & tea ceremony - Rent out Garyu Sanso and enjoy the beauty of its traditional architecture. The intricancies of the wabi-sabi flair, essence of Japanese tea ceremony, are at your reach.
- handcraft
- history and culture
- 'Ozu Washi' Paper mill visit &workshop
- Visit a longstanding Ozu washi* mill and experience hands-on washi gilding and lantern making. *designated national traditional craft
- Nature
- history and culture
- culinary culture
- Enjoy the four seasons of Ozu, over the water
- Inhale Ozu's old district views from the Hiji River. Feel the breeze or the chirp of birds and listen to stories about local life.
- Nature
- history and culture
- Stroll around Ozu
- Explore Ozu castle-town more deeply by visiting Zen temples in the forest, walking through back alleys that are not listed in guidebooks, and participating in local events.
- history and culture
- handcraft
- Stroll around Uchiko town
- A walk that brings you closer to the culture of Uchiko. You will visit the town's playhouse or craftsmen workshops. You will also take part in seasonal events or enjoy seasonal scenery.
Accommodation in Ozu
- Scattered hotel in central Ozu
"NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu castle-town" - In 2018, Ozu started a project to preserve and reuse centennial abodes in its old district. So far (2024) 31 historical buildings have been renovated and revived. Many of them have been converted into accommodation, conforming a scattered hotel of 31 rooms. You can enjoy freshly renovated centennial houses, offering local warmth and meals concoted with seasonal ingredients and .
We recommend staying at least one night so that you can fully experience Ozu 's history, culture, and traditions.
model course
For those who want to experience Japanese traditional culture and the history of Ozu
For those who want to experience Ozu's nature and outdoor activities
Dedicated guide
We aim to connect travelers with Ozu's region and its inhabitants, while introducing its history and culture. As local residents, we are part of the community and are in a good position to offer tips that will make you feel as part of the place. Why not take part in the any of Ozu's urban & community development activities?
Dedicated guide
- Diego Cosa Fernandez
- An architect from Spain. I came across Ozu while researching architecture on settlement developed along water shores. As a result of my deep interest in Ozu and the Hiji River, I decided to move in 2019. While pursuing my research, I am enjoying every day, discovering the unexplored scenery and climate of Ozu.
Japanese, English, Spanish, French, German
- Shahan
- From Taiwan. I moved to Japan in 2016 (after having visited previously numerous times), in order to experience life in Japan in first hand. As someone who loves traditional culture, crafts, and architecture, I was fascinated by Ozu, which is like a treasure chest, so I moved to Ozu in 2021 and am discovering the charm of Ozu every day.
Japanese, Chinese, English
Create your tailor-made visit
Please feel free to contact us for details on each tour content, request for reference price information, questions or reservations.
