Ozu Castle
Ozu Castle
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Surrounded by lush greenery and located on the banks of the Hijikawa River, Ozu Castle stands as a historic landmark. Originally built as Jizogatake Castle by Utsunomiya Toyofusa in 1331, it was later renovated by his successors and transformed into the castle we see today during the 17th century. Although the main keep was dismantled in 1888 due to deterioration, it was meticulously reconstructed in 2004 based on old photographs and historical blueprints. All the wood used in the reconstruction is domestically sourced, and stepping inside the main keep allows visitors to admire the impressive wooden structures unique to Japanese castle architecture. In addition to the main keep, four turrets have survived since the Edo period (1603-1868) and are designated as National Important Cultural Properties. Two of these turrets, the Daidokoro Turret and the Koran Turret, are connected to the reconstructed main keep and can be visited together.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
123 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
60
Average
21
Poor
1
Terrible
0
mjc5677
Paso Robles, CA33 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
Don't miss this castle. Perfectly restored. Incredible woodwork. Able to climb to the top tower (60 degree stairs on the top two flights). Commanding views of the river below. No wonder they put the castle here.
Written May 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter R.
Ulsan, South Korea1,421 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Arriving at JR Iyo-Ozu Station after spending some 6-hrs walking around nearby Uchiko, I was weary, behind schedule and it had now started a persistent drizzle. Not facing a 30-minute walk given the weather, I abandoned any superfluous items in the coin-operated lockers outside the Tourist Information Office at the Station and took a taxi directly to Ozu Castle, armed only with a camera and my rainwear.
Yes, the Castle is a relatively recent reconstruction, but so are a lot of castles in Japan (having recently visited Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa). What is important is the painstaking way in which the reconstruction is presented and Ozu-Jo is a beautiful example of this.
The steep (60 degree) staircases to the upper levels were a bit of a challenge to this particular 60-something but taking time and using the centre handrail, it was worthwhile to drag myself to the top to take in the scenic views, even though they were somewhat obscured by the inclement weather. For Y800 you can get a combi-ticket for both Ozu Castle and the nearby Garyu Sanso and the Castle staff were helpful in phoning for a taxi to take me to the next attraction (the cottage and gardens at Garyu Sanso).
Yes, the Castle is a relatively recent reconstruction, but so are a lot of castles in Japan (having recently visited Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa). What is important is the painstaking way in which the reconstruction is presented and Ozu-Jo is a beautiful example of this.
The steep (60 degree) staircases to the upper levels were a bit of a challenge to this particular 60-something but taking time and using the centre handrail, it was worthwhile to drag myself to the top to take in the scenic views, even though they were somewhat obscured by the inclement weather. For Y800 you can get a combi-ticket for both Ozu Castle and the nearby Garyu Sanso and the Castle staff were helpful in phoning for a taxi to take me to the next attraction (the cottage and gardens at Garyu Sanso).
Written June 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna A
������20 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Great castle - old, though reconstructed. The museum staff take care of every little thing there! Marvellous view from the top, nice park arounf the castle. Three of us were the only tourists on a weekday...
Written May 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
petertaylor57
Auckland Central, New Zealand422 contributions
Nov 2022
At last, a castle in the middle of town. Not mountain climbing, just a gentle stroll. Inside is just average, but it's a pleasant enough place to stop off for a coffee.
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ozteddy
Brisbane, Australia435 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Although this castle is quite small and not original, it is interesting in that it was reconstructed using original methods and materials and not concrete like a lot of others. This does give it a more authentic feel which I think is noticeable if you have been to a few Japanese castles. The interior displays of the history and building processes I also found interesting. Of course it is situated in a prime position high on a hill overlooking the river and town, and with a wreath of cherry blossoms surrounding it, a very impressive sight from any angle. From here it was about 25 minute easy walk back to the station.
Written April 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John J
Wels, Austria5,524 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
The castle has been lvingly kept, and is a great exampls of its kind. The views, as usual, are excellent as it sits on high ground.
Written April 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DYA717
Honolulu8,945 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
It is up a hill by the river. This is a small reconstructed castle. Great view from the top of the surrounding areas.
Written May 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ART196
244 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
I vividly remember the very intriguing spectacle of the dark old wood and bright new wood contrasting sharply as I moved between the reconstructed tenshukaku (main keep) and adjoining yagura (turret) at Ōzu Castle. The tenshukaku was reconstructed in 2004 using historical materials and principles of construction. This is what a freshly built castle looked like in feudal Japan and it presents a rare opportunity for seeing a reconstructed castle interior at such scale. The reconstructed tower is attached to two adjoining yagura – or wings as they’re on either side- the Daidokoro-yagura (Kitchen turret) to the right and the Kōran-yagura to the left. The tower complex forms an “L” shape. There are a further two original yagura away from the main site: Owata-yagura (1843) downhill on the Hiji River, and the Sannomaru Minami Yagura (1766) (south corner turret in the third bailey) located on the grounds of a high school, which I could not see. Finally there is an old raised floor storehouse still standing too. Exhibits inside the tenshukaku mostly show how castles were built, including the resources for them gathered, which is a very interesting topic for me.
History:
The first fort at this site dates to 1331, established by Utsunomiya Toyofusa. During the Sengoku Period a coalition army of the Kono and Mōri clans defeated the Utsunomiya and in 1568 Ono Naoshige of the Kono clan became castellan.
In 1585 Toyotomi Hideyoshi conquered Shikoku and placed Kobayakawa Takakage (adoptive father of Kobayakawa Hideaki) in charge. A series of lords were placed here from this time (Tōdō in 1595, Wakisaka in 1608) and the castle as we see it today was built up between 1585 and 1617, with the four-tier tenshukaku being built between 1608 and 1617, originally a Mawariyagura went around the honmaru, forming a courtyard for the tenshukaku. From 1617 the Katō Clan ruled until the Meiji Restoration. In 1888 the main tower was lost. It was rebuilt in 2004 from historically accurate materials.
History:
The first fort at this site dates to 1331, established by Utsunomiya Toyofusa. During the Sengoku Period a coalition army of the Kono and Mōri clans defeated the Utsunomiya and in 1568 Ono Naoshige of the Kono clan became castellan.
In 1585 Toyotomi Hideyoshi conquered Shikoku and placed Kobayakawa Takakage (adoptive father of Kobayakawa Hideaki) in charge. A series of lords were placed here from this time (Tōdō in 1595, Wakisaka in 1608) and the castle as we see it today was built up between 1585 and 1617, with the four-tier tenshukaku being built between 1608 and 1617, originally a Mawariyagura went around the honmaru, forming a courtyard for the tenshukaku. From 1617 the Katō Clan ruled until the Meiji Restoration. In 1888 the main tower was lost. It was rebuilt in 2004 from historically accurate materials.
Written November 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary W
Olympia, WA473 contributions
Sep 2015 • Solo
It was rainy when I took the train down to Ito Ozu from Matsuyama. Like a dummy I didn't take an umbrella with me when I left and bought one at the JR Station in Ozu. The castle is within walking distance from the rail station and there are signs in English, simply follow them. This castle is not that impressive very similar to other Japanese Castles along a river. Comparable to Odawara Castle in Kanagawa prefecture. Not as magnificent as Matsumoto Castle in Nagano prefecture on Honshu. It was still worth seeing, this was my first trip to the Island of Shikoku, I've been to all of the other main islands of Japan over the years.
Written October 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary B
Shinjuku, Japan252 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Extremely well done rebuild. Got some great photos. The entry price was a bit above the norm. When you consider the prices to visit the 4 original castles in Shikoku. Weather was really bad. Good to see the history beginning preserved.
Written July 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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