Hijikawa Town 肱川町

Description

A small town located in the mountains of Ozu, Hijikawa is home to about 3,000 people.


Location / Access / Transport

  • By car: 30 minutes drive from Ozu, toward the mountains.
  • By bus: There is a bus that runs between Ozu and Hijikawa (about five times a day), the bus ride is about 40 minutes and costs approximately 740yen.

Shopping

  • A small A-Coop in town center; Michinoeki (roadside station) on the main highway has a great produce stand and a good omiyage shop.

Dining Out

  • Aiito at Michinoeki (karaoke, Japanese fast food).
  • Hananomori at Michinoeki (Chinese restaurant)

Leisure

  • Two well known hot springs in Hijikawa – Oyabu and Kanogawa (near the main highway)

Tourism / Festivals / Highlights

  • Kanogawa lake is a beautiful lake created by the dam in Hijikawa. There are walking paths around the lake and an annual dragon boat race in August.
  • Maruyama Park (above Kanogawa lake) is a very nice park, and one of the best spots for viewing sakura in the spring.
  • Many traditional small town festivals throughout this year.
  • Hijikawa has its own sake brewery named Kaze no Sato. It has existed for approximately 90 years. It is possible to purchase sake at the brewery (near the A-Coop in town) or at the Daily Yamazaki convenience store at Michinoeki (and it’s really good).
  • Kanogawaso Onsen is also a relatively large, upscale hotel.
  • There is a small hospital in town between the post office and city hall.


Kawabe Village 河辺村

Description

Kawabe is a small village nestled in the mountains of western Ehime., with a population of 1,200.


Location / Access / Transport

  • There are three buses a day Monday through Friday from the Kawabe Board of Education to Hijikawa, two buses on Saturday and no bus service on Sunday. The cost is approximately 360yen each way depending on where you get on and off. From Hijikawa there are buses to Ozu, but unfortunately, the times do not match up well.

Shopping

  • 2 grocery stores.

Dining Out

  • Kawabe has one restaurant called Ku-chan that is annexed to Mr Furno’s house. The menu is limited and it serves food mainly at lunch time. In the evening, it is the place to go for karaoke and beer, though it is often closed around 7 or 8pm.

Tourism / Festivals / Highlights

  • Kawabe is famous for its eight covered bridges which are apparently quite rare in Japan. The nicest ones are Miyuki bashi and the one located in Furusato Park which has a HUGE slide.
  • There is a beautiful waterfall called Sannaidani located up the road toward Ikazaki/Oda. Although it is signposted, it is a little difficult to find so it is best to ask someone for directions.
  • Kawabe has its summer festival during the second week of August. It is a small festival with singing, dancing and fireworks and it is a great way to meet the locals.
  • Near the park, there is a Japanese inn and a traditional house called Saitaniya. For 3,200yen per person, you can rent the house for a night and enjoy the irori, a traditional open fireplace.


Nagahama Town 長浜町

Description

Nagahama is a small costal town with a population of about 9,000.


Location / Access / Transport

Nagahama is located on the coast where the Hijikawa river empties into the Seto Inland Sea.

  • By train: Local train (yosan line) about 1 hour 20 minutes from Matsuyama about 30 minutes from Ozu.
  • By car: Also the costal road along the sea takes you through Nagahama.

Tourism / Festivals / Highlights

  • Red drawbridge complete with bullet holes from WWII.
  • Hijikawa arashi (a very cool winter sight, when in the morning steam rising off the river is blown into large wispy clouds that hang low on the ground).


Ozu City 大洲市

Description

Ozu is a city with a population of about 51,000.


Location / Access / Transport

  • By train: Located along the JR train line between Matsuyama and Uwajima, Ozu is about 30 minutes away from Matsuyama by express train. Ozu’s main train station, Iyo Ozu Station, caters to both the express and local trains. There are three smaller stations, Niiya Station, Nishi Ozu Station and Hirano Station, which only the local train stops at.
  • By bus: Buses run to/from Hijikawa approx. five times a day and cost around 800 yen depending on your starting point in Ozu.
  • By shuttle bus: There is a shuttle bus to/from Matsuyama airport that departs from Iyo Ozu station ranging around 1300 yen one way. Reserved tickets for the airport bus can be purchased at the Ozu travel agency on the 5th floor in Fuji Grand.
  • By overnight bus: An overnight bus to/from Osaka is also available that departs from the taxi station across the street from Fresh Value. A one way ticket is approx. 7500 yen and can also be purchased on the 5th floor in Ozu’s Fuji Grand.

Shopping

  • Uniqlo clothes store which stocks some Western sizes. Be warned though, the Western sizes are usually for shirts. Jeans/pants don’t apply.
  • Daiki stocks household items, garden, and home repair.
  • Tsutaya video and music rental.
  • Fuji Grand Department Store including full grocery store, liquor store, bakery, florist, bookstore, travel agency, hair stylist, clothing, household, cosmetics, shoes, toys, etc. There isan arcade with purikura on the top floor.
  • Ozu Messe is a huge shopping center located along highway 56, that carries groceries (A-coop), clothes, garden and floral décor, some furniture and great gift ideas.
  • 100 yen store is located inside Ozu Messe.
  • Dai-so located along Highway 56 near Fuji-Grand. Great for buying cheap everyday items such as household, stationary, school supplies etc.
  • 24-7 is located across the road from Cinema Sunshine and is a around house gift store.
  • Best/Deo Deo/Denki are electronic stores that carry everything from TV’s, computers and computer supplies, washing machines, video cameras, bathroom electronics, etc. (There are also nice massage chairs you can use for free)
  • Daiya Sports carries miscellaneous sports equipment as is located near Ozu station.
  • Hard-Off is a used electronic store where prices are discounted. Located along highway 56 near Iyo Ozu train station.
  • Off House is a used home and clothing store and is located next to Hard-Off.
  • Supermarkets - Fuji Grand • A-Coop • Marunaka • Kimura chain • Fresh Value • Lawson’s • Circle K

Dining Out

  • Italian Restaurants
    • Locale (also serves an Italian style Quesadilla) - Located across the street from Fuji Grand, underneath Ben’s Café and on the same side of the street as Mr. Donuts
    • Duet - Located on the second floor above a stationary stop across from Fuji Grand
    • Pupile - Located in Niiya town, along highway 56 on the right hand side heading towards Uchiko. 15 min. walk from Niiya station. They also sell pottery and small gift items.
    • Pitt Street (small jazz/cocktail bar that serves pizza and pasta) - Located next to the big video rental shop along route 56.
  • Family Restaurants
    • Gusto and 2 Joyfuls (home to the drink bar)
    • Mister Donuts (located near Iyo train station)
    • 2 McDonalds - One is on the 1st floor of the parking structure across from Fuji-Grand. The second is onlocated along highway 56 near Ozu Messe.
    • Royal Pizza Hat (free delivery)
    • Tomato Soup & Onion (located in Ozu Messe’s parking lot, next to the kaiten-sushi)
    • Mos Burger - Located on the right hand side along Highway 56 past Ozu Messe, heading towards Uchiko.
    • Ra Ri Ru Re Ro (coffee and sandwich shop) - Located across the post office near Minami elementary school.
  • Various Japanese-style restaurants
    • 2 Kaiten-sushi restaurants - One is located on the left hand side along highway 56 heading towards Uchiko, the second one is in the same shopping complex as Ozu Messe next to Tomato Soup & Onion.
    • Weckers (Okonomiyaki) - Located in Niiya town, 2 min walk from Niiya station.
    • Yakiniku • Ramen • Soba • Udon
  • Chinese Restaurants
    • Hana Hana, (plus a few others)
  • Good Coffee shops scattered around the city

Leisure

  • Cinema Sunshine Movie Theater – located along Route 56, across the street from Uniqlo, beside Gusto
  • Kayak/canoe rental – on the Hijikawa river near the castle
  • Garyu Sansou & Onsen – near the machi-no-eki (town station). It boasts a beautiful Japanese garden.
  • Bowling Alley off of Route 56, on the way to Uwajima.

Nightlife

  • Bars • Louis’ Bar • Ben’s Café • Oldies • Plus many more on “Our Street.”

Tourism / Festivals / Highlights

  • Ozu Castle – entrance fee 500yen
  • Traditional streets located around the machinoeki near the castle are well-worth a visit. These quaint streets reflect an older style of Japanese way of life. The streets are filled with souvenir shops and tea-houses.
  • Ozu Shrine is tucked into a forested corner overlooking the city and the Hijikawa River.
  • Many traditional festivals and events are hosted in Ozu throughout the year.
    • Hiji Festival (mid-July) - This festival celebrates the heroine Hiji, who sacrificed herself to the river God to stop the flooding of her town.
    • Summer Fireworks Festival (early-mid August) - A two-day festival with good food and an excellent fireworks show!
    • Hotaru Festival (mid-late June) - A weekend firefly festival in the towns of Yanagisawa and Tadokoro.
    • Cultural Festival (Saturday closest to November 3rd) - Located along the river on the opposite side of the castle, this festival is filled with traditional dance/music, tea ceremony, great food, and games. Many Lion Dances are also taking place around the city from 7am to midnight.
    • Garyu Boat Cruising - Enjoy a relaxing cruise as it meanders along a 200meter course on the Hijikawa river. Boats operate from April to the end of May on weekends and national holidays from 10am – 4pm. 100 yen one way. (approx. 6 min boat ride)
  • Mt. Tomisu has an observatory at the top where you can get a bird’s eye view of Ozu. Also Mt. Tomisu Azaleas. The park features 63,000 azalea bushes and over 3,000 cherry trees. Best times of viewing are during the months of April and May. Entry is 500 yen.
  • Ukai (Cormorant Fishing) is from June 1st – September 20th. This is an ancient and special method of river fishing that takes place on the Hiji river running through Ozu. After sunset, Cormorant fishermen dressed in traditional garments handle 5-6 cormorants. The cormorants dive and catch fish for the fisherman. You can reserve sightseeing packages that include a meal and drink as you watch this ancient style of fishing.