Visit 'Little Kyoto' In Ozu, Ehime - 5 Must-see Spots

4. Freely Enjoy the 'Wa': Garyu Sanso

The Garyu Sanso is a mountain retreat consisting of three historical buildings that has been recognized as a particularly scenic spot on the Hijikawa river basin.

The single-storied main manor building, Garyu-in, the Chishian which was initially built as a bathroom but turned into a tea house, and the Furoan, which was a sukiya tsukuri building (*3) constructed on the cliff overlooking the boats below make up this retreat. Each building has its own charms, and truly demonstrates the Japanese ideal of wabi-sabi (*4).

*3 Sukiya tsukuri: a traditional architectural style inspired by the structure of a tea room.
*4 Wabi-sabi: the beauty found in simplicity and austerity, an aesthetic of traditional Japanese culture.

Garyu Sanso
Address: Ehime, Ozu, Ozu 411-2
Phone: 0893-24-3759
Website: http://www.city.ozu.ehime.jp/site/kanko/1184.html (Ozu City Sightseeing Website)

5. Traces of the Meiji Era: Ohanahan Dori

Ohanahan Dori is a street located in an urban area on the eastern side of Hijikawa river. This area retains its Meiji era atmosphere, which means walking along these streets just might make you feel as though you've slipped back in time.

Ohanahan Dori
Address: Ozu
Phone: 0893-24-2664 (Ozu City Tourism Association)

In Summary

Ozu city in Ehime prefecture first developed as a castle town to protect the citizens of the area and of Ozu Castle. And as a 'little Kyoto', here and there throughout the city you will find buildings like those in Kyoto, which makes this another wonderful place where visitors can feel the long history of Japan around them.

** This article was translated from the Street View Media by LIFE STYLE article: "Iyo's Little Kyoto" Visiting Ozu, Ehime Through Google Street View (Japanese).