Writer interviews! "NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town" is full of local charm

A place where you can feel the history of the town

If we were to travel back in time to Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture 150 years ago, we might have passed the members of the wealthy Murakami family walking through the bustling castle town.

At that time, Ozu was in the midst of the industrial revolution and prospered in the wax, silk, forestry, and paper industries. The products were shipped down the river to various parts of Japan and then the world.

Wealthy merchants such as the Murakami family, who prospered in this industry, built huge fireproof storehouses to safely store their wealth.

Today, I am standing in Mr. Murakami's mansion. However, the clay plaster and beams have been restored, giving us a sense of the splendor of those days.

This residence is currently one of the 26 historic buildings that make up the ``NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town''.

``NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town'' is a unique hotel that has been renovated from former workers' quarters and feudal lord residences, and each building tells the story of Ozu's history.

``NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town'' is a place where you can discover something new every time you stay.

What makes your time in Ozu even more enjoyable is not only staying in a historic building, but also experiencing the sophisticated yet warm hospitality of the locals.

This time, MATCHA writer Mika will introduce you to the charms of this hotel, from Japanese-French fusion cuisine to the open bar and lounge!

NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town Vacancy Search

• Table of Contents
• Protecting Japan's rich cultural heritage
• Stay at a mansion hotel that combines tradition and modernity
• Delicious Japanese-French fusion cuisine at LE UN
• Relax at the open bar in the guest lounge
• How to get to Ozu
• NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu What you can get by staying in the castle town

Protecting Japan's rich cultural heritage

After my stay in Ozu, I became deeply interested in Ozu's traditional houses and buildings .

In fact, as I relaxed in my comfortable bed in the evening and gazed at the massive historic beams, I couldn't help but think about the effort that has gone into preserving these buildings.

Digging into Ozu's history, you can see how the town flourished as an industrial area.

During the Meiji period (1868-1912), Ozu flourished with industries such as wax, silk, forestry, and paper manufacturing. Because Ozu is located along the Hijikawa River, an important transportation route to various parts of Japan, it became a hub for trade and commerce.

However, as industries changed and automobiles became popular, Ozu gradually declined. Many of the historic buildings have fallen into disrepair.

Fortunately, a group of like-minded people came together to save these structures.

In 2018, Ozu began a city-wide conservation effort. The city, local banks, and businesses worked together to preserve and restore as many of Ozu's traditional buildings as possible. These efforts have borne fruit, and Ozu has been ranked number one in the world in the ``World's Top 100 Sustainable Tourism Destinations, Culture and Tradition '' by the international certification organization Green Destinations.

NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town, which combines traditional and modern elements to provide a unique experience, is a great example of this activity.

A passion for preserving Ozu's historical heritage leads to new businesses and revitalization of the local economy. My heart warms when I see this situation with my own eyes.

Stay at a mansion hotel that combines tradition and modernity

When you arrive, the NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town concierge will welcome you in the lobby with hot tea and delicious desserts .

We were then guided to our accommodation.

I like Japanese mansions. It has been my lifelong dream to spend the night in a building with thick doors and mud walls designed to withstand wind, rain, fire, and theft.

And this house exceeded my expectations in terms of comfort and beauty!

When I entered the two-story mansion, I was overwhelmed by its size. The top floor is a living room with two fluffy beds.

I like buildings that retain their original features. The house was also renovated with the building's history in mind, so its original features remain. I felt the dedication to the historic architecture of NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town.

The main floor has a cypress bathtub, and the amenities made with local products further enhance its charm.

I have stayed at NIPPONIA HOTEL in areas other than Ozu. From then on, I fell in love with NIPPONIA's signature custom-made cypress bathtub.

Delicious Japanese-French fusion cuisine at LE UN

When you go to Ozu, be sure to check out the restaurant ``LE UN'' at NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town.

This restaurant is a tastefully renovated row house with views of Ozu Castle from the dining room.

However, the real star is the food. LE UN's Japanese-Western eclectic cuisine, prepared with locally sourced ingredients using French techniques, is exceptional. Each ingredient is sourced from the Seto Inland Sea, the beautiful mountains, and the clear waters of the Hijikawa River. You'll feel like you're traveling through Ozu on a plate.

The food is served on Ehime's famous Tobeyaki plates. Since our visit was in autumn, we had seasonal menus with an autumn theme, such as pumpkin soup with blue cheese, carpaccio with julienned pears arranged like a flower, and Ehime's famous fresh sea bream rice. I enjoyed it.

As a craft beer fan, I also can't miss the local beer from Garyu Shuzo. Garyu Shuzo's Silk Ale pairs perfectly with the meal. LE UN also has a menu of local sake.

If you visit LE UN, which offers a variety of fun activities, you will feel as elegant as a wealthy merchant of old!

Relax at the open bar in the guest lounge

Even after the sun goes down, the fun at NIPPONIA HOTEL continues.

One of the fun things to do at night is the Club Lounge. This lounge is a quiet bar available exclusively to hotel guests. There was a lounge right next to where I was staying, so I headed there after dinner.

At hotels, drinks at the hotel bar or in your room tend to be expensive.

However, in the lounge of NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town, you can enjoy a variety of snacks and drinks for free, including sake from Ozu and tangerine juice from Ehime, as well as beer, whiskey, wine, tea, and coffee.

Guests are free to use the lounge, so after a full day of sightseeing, we recommend relaxing and enjoying a light meal without worrying about anything else!

How to get to Ozu

Ozu is located in Shikoku, a region with a small population in Japan, but it is easily accessible. It takes about 40 minutes by train from Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, the largest city in Shikoku.

If you want to go from Hiroshima to Matsuyama City, the most efficient way to get there is by the high-speed boat ``Super Jet.'' It takes less than 70 minutes from Hiroshima Port to Matsuyama Kanko Port Terminal (Matsuyama Kanko Port). From there, walk or take a bus to Takahama Station. Take the train from Takahama Station to Otemachi Station. Finally, walk to Matsuyama Station and you will arrive at your destination within 40 minutes.

NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu What you can get by staying in the castle town

NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town offers more than just a wonderful stay experience. This is a special place that provides guidance on how to support local businesses and promote sustainable tourism.

NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town is the best place to experience the fusion of tradition and modern design. A bathtub made from the finest Japanese cypress, delicious food, and a relaxing open bar... All of this comes together to create an unforgettable experience. We hope you enjoy "NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town"!

NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town Vacancy Search

Author: Mika
Writer and creator from Canada and living in Japan. Since 2020, we have been working to introduce Japan's hidden charms and wonderful tourist spots through articles, photos, and videos. When I'm not working, I can be found gardening or dreaming about my next hot spring trip.