Bansenso, a villa of a wealthy merchant from the Taisho era that stands on a cliff

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Ozu City is located in the western part of Shikoku, in the region known as Nanyo, and is an area centered around the Ozu Basin, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the north and the Shikoku Mountains to the south. The clear Hijikawa River flows through the center of the city, and as its name suggests, the river curves like an elbow as it runs through the town, bringing many blessings to the city, including nature, history, culture, and local specialties. Remnants of the city's prosperity as a castle town around Ozu Castle during the Edo period still live on the banks of the Hijikawa River.

Table of Contents
Bansenso, a villa of a wealthy merchant from the Taisho era that stands on a cliff
Distinctive architecture that utilizes abundant South Sea wood
Yokoido, the origin of Bansenso
International architectural style
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NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town: Charms and Unique Experiences

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Uwajima・Ozu

Check out the official website of “NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town”

Bansenso, a villa of a wealthy merchant from the Taisho era that stands on a cliff

Bansenso (formerly the main residence of the Matsui family) is a villa built in 1922 by Mr. Kunigoro Matsui, who ran a trading company in Manila, Philippines during the Taisho era and amassed great wealth. A three-story wooden building that juts out from the steep slope of a hill. The windows offer a panoramic view of the town of Ozu, and the building is located in the perfect location for a vacation home, with views of the Hijikawa Mt.Tomisu, Mt. Fuji, Mt. Yanase, Mt. Kameyama, and other elegant natural scenery. The majestic three-story wooden building that juts out from the steep slope of the hill has continued to exist as a representative landmark of the area since its construction. In addition, the symbolic masonry is a unique structure in which stones cut from around the site are stacked rhythmically in an X-shape. The building has a sense of unity with the main building and has a very high design quality.

Distinctive architecture that utilizes abundant South Sea wood

In addition to the use of high-quality tsuga and ebony, 20 pieces of South Sea wood carefully selected in Southeast Asia were used in the hallway, as the client was a trading business in the Philippines. The use of the initials "K.M" reflects Mr. Kunigoro Matsui's international side. It is highly regarded as a valuable modern Japanese-style villa architecture that combines Sukiya-zukuri and traditional Shoin-zukuri while making full use of traditional and modern techniques.

Yokoido, the origin of Bansenso

There is a horizontal well dug more than 50 meters deep into the curving cliff, and the water that flows from the depths of the well is sent to a water tank in the kitchen. This was constructed in the Taisho period, when waterworks were not in place, to secure water for daily use, and it is assumed that Bansenso was built because of the availability of this water.

You can also enjoy this horizontal well in VR.

Yokoido VR

International architectural style

The owner of Bansenso was a trading business in the Philippines, and the building has a balcony, which is very rare in Taisho era architecture. From the balcony, you can enjoy the view of the Hijikawa River flowing through Ozu and Kameyama Park.

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Bansenso

317 Yuzuki, Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture 795-0011

The brothers Denzaburo Matsui (1870-1920) and Kunigoro (1875-1945) amassed a large fortune by running a trading company in Manila and a department store catering to Japanese immigrants. Bansenso was originally planned by Denzaburo to build a villa in his hometown of Ozu, and Kunigoro, who carried on Denzaburo's wishes, completed it in 1926. The residence is located on a hill overlooking the rich natural scenery of Garyu, Mt. Fuji, and Mt. Kameyama, which is said to be the most scenic spot in the Hijikawa River. In addition to using South Sea materials imported from Southeast Asia for building materials, the building also featured a balcony, which was rare for Japanese houses at the time, and a roof tile with the owner's initials ``K.M'' designed on it. The international characteristics typical of the owner can be seen everywhere. It was also called ``Bansenso'' because the water that seeped out from the bedrock on the back mountain was used.

6 minutes walk from Ozu Machino Station Asamoya

30 minutes walk from JR Iyo-Ozu Station

Google MAP Bansenso

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Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture

Ehime

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