Oozu city

Oozu is a small city located at the west part of Ehime Prefecture.
It is located about 50 km south-southwest of Matsuyama city, and Uchiko town is about 10 km east of this city.

In the 14th century, a castle was built.
Since the 17th century, Oozu had been the central city around this region, and a castle town was formed.
Hiji River flows through the old town, and the city is filled with Japanese atmosphere.
So this city is called "Little Kyoto in Iyo". ("Iyo" is the old name of Ehime Prefecture.)

There is a district with the buildings 19th century at the east part of the old town.
In 1966, TV drama "Ohanahan" had been broadcast as a morning drama series for a year.
The drama depicted a woman who became a widow, raised her son, and went through her life as a midwife cheerfully from the late 19th to the 20th centuries.
The drama exploded in popularity.
The location was done around a district in Oozu, and the name of the drama was given to the street.

Hiji River has clear stream.
In summer, Ukai are held on Hiji River for visitors.
Ukai is a traditional fishing to catch Ayu (Japanese trout) by using tamed cormorants, and Oozu's Ukai is one of the three major Ukai in Japan, along with Nagara River in Gifu and Mikuma River in Hita.

Another featute of Hiji River is "Hijikawa Arashi" (Storm on Hiji River).
It is the climatic phenomenon occuring only on Hiji River around Oozu city in the world.
Oozu city is on the bottom of a basin, and it has often fog in the morning in winter.
Hiji River forms a valley to the mouth, so the fog flows down the distance over 15 km long along the river.
The speed reaches over 15 km per hour at the mouth.

Sightseeing spots in Oozu city

• Oozu Castle /1/ : The castle located to the northwest of old town.
  The original castle was built in 1331, and it was enlarged in 1595 by Takatora Todo (1556-1630), a warlord.
  After the end of feudal period, the castle tower and most buildings were demolished by 1888.
  But the castle tower was restored in 2004.
  Because a lot of old photoes and the drawings had been left, the original castle tower was restored almost perfectly.
  And it was built of wood with the method and material in the 17th century.
• Ohanahan Street /2/ : A street with old buildings around the 18-19th centuries.
  In 1966, popular drama "Ohanahan" was shot around here.
  In the center of the street, there is a rest house, and the photos of the drama are displayed.
  Around this street, there are many old buildings.
• Oozu Akarenga-kan /3/ : A red brick building, in English.
  It was built as a bank in 1901, and is designated as a city's cultural property.
  Now it is used as hall, craftwork shop and gallery.
• Pokopen Yokocho /4/ : A street reproducing Japan's popular town in the 1950-60s.
  It is near Akarenga-kan and there are several mom-and-pop candy shops, toy shops, antique shop, cafes and so on.
  Japanese people over 50s feel nostalgia.
  It is opened every Sundey from April to November, and only third Sunday from December to March.
• Garyu-sanso villa /5/ : A villa built by a wealthy merchant.
  It was built by Hiji River in 1907.
  In the site, there are Garyu-in (Main house), Chishian (Tea house) and Furouan (Observatory room).
  These traditional buildings are designated as prefecture's cultural properties.

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