Enjoy culture and nature in the unknown countryside of Japan! A one-week itinerary trip to the southern Ehime Prefecture

Enjoy a leisurely trip to the southern Ehime Prefecture, where you can experience Japanese culture and nature.

The Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy Japan without rushing.

Renting a car is recommended in the Nanyo region!

For this one-week plan, we recommend renting a car.

How to rent a car in Japan. What you need and how much it costs

• Table of Contents
• Days 1-3: Enjoying traditional Japanese streets in Uchiko Town
• Days 4-6: Enjoy Japanese castles and gardens in Ozu City
• Days 7-9: Enjoy the traditional Japanese scenery in Seiyo City
• Days 10-12: Enjoy delicious fish and the beautiful sea in Ainan Town
• Day 13 and onwards

Days 1-3: Enjoying traditional Japanese streets in Uchiko Town

We recommend that you start your trip in Uchiko Town.

Here are three recommended experiences to enjoy in Uchiko Town!

Historical townscape and woodland

Uchiko Town flourished around 100 to 200 years ago through the production of wood wax.

If you go a little further from the center, you will find traditional Japanese scenery such as rice terraces and watermills.

More information is here

Tenjin Paper Factory Papermaking Experience

If you come to Uchiko, try making washi paper!

Uchiko is one of Japan's leading producers of washi paper.

At the Tenjin Paper Factory in Uchiko, you can take a tour of the traditional Japanese paper-making factory and experience papermaking. The craftsmen will kindly teach you how to make Japanese paper, so even beginners can easily make their own!

Tenjin Paper Factory

Gilding Experience

If you are interested in Uchiko washi paper, try making gilding washi paper !

In recent years, a technique that combines the aforementioned washi paper with gilding , a traditional Western technique, has been gaining attention. Gilding made in Uchiko is made by attaching metal foil to washi paper made in Uchiko, and is characterized by its unique coloring. We sell postcards, posters, and even accessories made with gilding. In addition, in the gilding experience, you can learn about the technique of metal foil and make your own original postcards.

Gilding Experience

Authentic kimono experience

We also recommend trying on a traditional Japanese wedding attire in Uchiko town, where traditional Japanese streetscapes remain.

The "Flower Bride" experience adds color to the town of Uchiko

Days 4-6: Enjoy Japanese castles and gardens in Ozu City

After Uchiko Town, let's go to Ozu City!

Ozu City is a city located next to Uchiko Town.

Here are some recommended spots and experiences to enjoy Ozu!

Walking around Ozu castle town

Ozu city has many tourist spots where you can enjoy the beauty of Japanese architecture, such as Ozu Castle and Garyu Sanso.

Ozu Castle was demolished in 1888, but was completely restored in 2004 using wood.

This is rare even in Japan, and there are very few castles that have been restored using wood.

Once inside Ozu Castle, you can enjoy the impressive wooden structure.

One of the ways to enjoy the restored wooden castle tower is to see the view that the lord saw when the castle was built!

Ozu Castle

903 Ozu, Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture 7950012

Ozu Castle is said to have its origins in Jizogatake Castle, which was built by Toyofusa Utsunomiya, the governor of Iyo Province, in 1331 at the end of the Kamakura period, and since then it has been the castle for 237 years. After the Battle of Sekigahara, the turbulent times subsided, and a castle town began to form during the era of Todo Takatora and Wakisaka Yasuharu, who were known as master castle builders. Later, Sadayasu Kato became the lord of the castle, and the Kato clan's reign continued until the restoration of land ownership. In the Meiji era, the castle tower was dismantled in 1888 due to its deterioration. The current castle tower was restored in 2004 over a period of about 10 years, starting with conservation efforts and donations from residents. It is the first of its kind in Japan to have four floors and four floors as a wooden castle tower restored after the war, and at 19.15m, it is the tallest in Japan.

Garyu Sanso is a tourist spot in Ozu that was built as a villa by an Ozu trader.

Please enjoy the beauty of Japanese architecture!

Garyu Sanso

795-0012 411-2 Ozu, Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture

Garyu Sanso is a 10,000m2 mountain villa overlooking Garyu-buchi, the most scenic spot in the Hijikawa River basin. It is said that Kato Yasutsune, the third lord of the Ozu domain, named it Garyu (Garyu) because Mt. Horai resembles a dragon lying down. 　The three buildings, Garyu-in, Furo-an and Chito-an, are all masterpieces of refined taste, and the borrowed landscape garden, which incorporates the mountains and the natural scenery of the Hijikawa River and Nyohoji Riverbank, displays an elegant harmony between nature and man-made, and shows different faces with each season. 　It can be said that the almost forgotten "spirit of tea" and "spirit of Japan" still live on in the charming views from the garden and Garyu Sanso.

Cormorant fishing and boat tours

A river called the Hijikawa flows through Ozu, and people have lived alongside the river.

In addition, in the summer, the "Ozu Castle Town Boat Tour" is now held, where you can take a boat tour of the Hijikawa River.

NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu - Stay in an old house in the castle town

For those looking for a place to stay, we recommend NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Jokamachi !

There are also many activities available exclusively to guests staying at NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town.

NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town Activities List

NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town

〒795-0012 378 Ozu, Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture

The “Old Kato Family” is a registered tangible cultural property of the country. Buildings and storehouses of wealthy merchants who prospered with wooden wax, Former restaurants that have been in business for 400 years, etc. A hotel that renovated a historic building in Ozu into a luxurious space. Enjoy nostalgia and luxury at the same time in the historic buildings dotted around the castle town.

Days 7-9: Enjoy the traditional Japanese scenery in Seiyo City

From the 7th day, let's head to Seiyo City, where you can relax even more!

Kokemushiro Moss Garden

If you want to experience the tranquility of Japan, you can't go wrong by going to Moss Mat !

Moss Mat is a gallery cafe that beautifully displays traditional Japanese moss.

Kokemushiro（Moss mat）

Karihama terraced fields

In the Karihama area, the stone slopes are filled with rape blossoms in the spring and mandarin oranges in the fall, making it one of Seiyo city's most scenic spots.

Karihama terraced fields

Sea Kayaking

How about sea kayaking in the beautiful waters of Akehama?

Akehama Sea Kayaking Experience

Fishing

Akehama is known as one of the best fishing spots in Japan.

Akehama Fishing Experience

Octopus fishing experience

In Akehama-cho, Seiyo City, you can enjoy a village facing the sea that is reminiscent of the original Japanese landscape.

Octopus fishing experience

Cycling

In Seiyo City, you can rent e-bikes at various locations.

Ride around Seiyo on an E-BIKE!

Akehameru

Akehamare Seaside Park is a tourist exchange hub for Seiyo City, and is equipped with many accommodation facilities, including hot springs, campsites, and restaurants.

Akehama Seaside Sun Park

Days 10-12: Enjoy delicious fish and the beautiful sea in Ainan Town

Ainan Town is located in the southernmost part of Ehime Prefecture.

Cape Koumo

Cape Koumo, located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, is a scenic spot with cliffs over 100 meters high.

Komo Cape

798-4219 1-1-1 Takamo, Ainan-cho, Minamiuwa-gun, Ehime Prefecture

The Komo Cape, located in the southwestern tip of Ehime Prefecture, is a cliff over 100 meters high covered in lush greenery. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Kyushu. Every year around mid-November, you can see hawks gliding through the clear sky and wild silver chrysanthemums in full bloom. It's a very popular photo spot.

Ishigaki Village

In Ishigaki no Sato , houses are built with piled up stone walls to protect them from typhoons and seasonal winds.

Underwater Walk

During the summer, you can enjoy an underwater walk in Ainan Town.

Learn more about Seawalker

Fresh seafood delicacies

Ainan Town is also rich in delicious gourmet food!

[2024 Latest] See this! A complete guide to Ainan Town, the southernmost part of Ehime Prefecture

Day 13 and onwards

This concludes our trip in the Nanyo region of Ehime Prefecture, but from the 13th day onwards, we recommend heading from Ainan Town to Kochi Prefecture!

A summary of popular articles and spots in Kochi Prefecture