We asked foreigners living in the area! 6 must-see places in the southern Ehime Prefecture

Tourist spots in the southern Ehime Prefecture recommended by foreign residents!

the southern Ehime Prefecture is located in the southern part of Shikoku. It is home to traditional Japanese culture, untouched nature, and many hidden spots that are yet to be discovered by tourists, making it a recommended area for anyone wanting to travel around Japan at a leisurely pace.

In this article, we asked Jason from the UK and Jarron from Trinidad and Tobago, who both work as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) teaching English at elementary schools in the southern Ehime Prefecture, about their favorite spots!

• Table of Contents
• Recommended by Jason from the UK!
• Jason's recommendation! Mount Tomisu (Ozu City)
• Recommended by Jason! Nyohoji Temple (Ozu City)
• Jason's recommendation! Kagomori Castle Ruins (Matsuno Town)
• Recommended by Jarron from Trinidad and Tobago!
• Jarron recommends! Garyu Sanso
• Jarron recommends it! Ozu Castle
• Jarron recommends Tsunakake Rock!

Recommended by Jason from the UK!

First, Jason from the UK introduced us to some recommended spots inthe southern Ehime Prefecture. He is an assistant language teacher (ALT) who teaches English at an elementary school in Ozu City. He usually goes for drives with his friends and travels around the southern Ehime Prefecture. The three spots he recommended were:

Jason's recommendation! Mount Tomisu (Ozu City)

The first place Jason recommended was Mount Tomisu! Every year from late April to mid-May, about 60,000 azaleas bloom, painting the summit pink. There is also an observation deck at the top, from which you can see the town of Ozu and the Hijikawa River that runs through it. In the fall, winter, and spring, fog covers the area around the summit, creating a magical landscape.

▼Jason's comment: I especially love the beautiful azaleas that bloom in spring! You can enjoy a wonderful view of Ozu from the summit.

Mt.Tomisu

795-0063 Taguchi, Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture

Mt.Tomisu is a mountain located in Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture. In spring, 60,000 azaleas turn the top pink, delighting tourists. There is also a park at the top, which is a place for locals to relax.

Recommended by Jason! Nyohoji Temple (Ozu City)

The next spot Jason recommended was Nyoho-ji Temple! Nyoho-ji Temple is a historic temple where the tomb of the lord of Ozu City is also located. The Buddhist hall in the photo was built in 1670 and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The temple grounds are covered with moss, creating a quiet and calm atmosphere.
*When walking around Nyohoji Temple, please be careful not to step on the moss.

▼Jason's comment: I love visiting Nyoho-ji Temple on a rainy spring day! The rain makes Nyoho-ji Temple and the forest shine beautifully. There are usually no people around, so I also love the quiet atmosphere!

Nyohoji Temple

795-0011 943 Yuzuki, Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture

This temple belongs to the Myoshinji sect of the Rinzai sect, which was built by Yasuoki Kato, the second lord of the Ozu domain, as the founder of Bankei Eitaku. The Buddha Hall of Nyohoji Temple has an unusual structure that doubles as a Zendo.The main image of Buddha, Shakyamuni Nyorai, is enshrined in the center of the building, making it a space for the Buddha hall, but on both sides there are tatami mats for monks to practice. There is a space provided. The Buddhist temple has also been designated as a national important cultural property.

Jason's recommendation! Kagomori Castle Ruins (Matsuno Town)

The last place Jason recommended was the ruins of Kagomori Castle in Matsuno Town. Although Kagomori Castle does not have a castle tower, it is surrounded by three rivers and dates back to the late 1500s. It is a popular hill for hiking. The highlight is the view from the top! Matsuno Town is one of the most local areas in Ehime, and you can enjoy tranquil scenery.

▼Comment from Jason

"The hike is great in the spring or summer! My favorite part is the stables you find along the way. You can write your name in a little notebook to commemorate your time there. The summit overlooks Matsuno Town and is a great spot for a picnic!"

Recommended by Jarron from Trinidad and Tobago!

The next person to recommend us is Jarron from Trinidad and Tobago. He is an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) who studies Japanese every day and is now so dedicated that he can even chat in Japanese! Here are three spots he recommended!

Jarron recommends! Garyu Sanso

Jarron's favorite is Garyu Sanso in Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture. Garyu Sanso is one of the most beautiful buildings in Japan. Garyu Sanso was built as a retirement home for a local trader, and was constructed over a period of about 10 years starting around 1897. This masterpiece of architecture truly embodies the Japanese aesthetic sense, with attention to detail in every detail, and the more you look at it, the more you are drawn to it. It has also been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japon, and in recent years many people have come to see Garyu Sanso.

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.

Jarron recommends it! Ozu Castle

Next, Jarron recommended Ozu Castle. Ozu Castle is located in Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture, and is a castle that was restored from wood about 20 years ago. The castle tower was demolished in 1888, but was restored in 2004 with donations from citizens. The charm of Ozu Castle is its beauty.

When Japanese castles are restored, they are almost always made of reinforced concrete, and it is rare for them to be restored in wood. Fortunately, a model of Ozu Castle remained from before it was demolished, and they succeeded in faithfully restoring it in wood. According to the staff of Ozu Castle, "Being restored in wood means that you can see the scenery exactly as the samurai of the time saw it. That is the charm of Ozu Castle."

Ozu Castle also offers a unique experience called "Ozu Castle Stay," where you can stay overnight in the castle's keep.

Ozu Castle Stay

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.

Jarron recommends Tsunakake Rock!

The last place Jarron recommended was Tsunakakeiwa in Ozu City! Tsunakakeiwa is a rock along the coast of Ozu City, with a torii gate and a shrine on top. It is said that Tsunakakeiwa has a history of over 1200 years. In the evening, you can also see the sunset, which is the most beautiful view in Ehime!