Washoku Miyoshi | Review by 黃國棟

We came to Gujo Observatory, a place known for its night views. We ended up visiting during the day, and although it lacked the sparkle of the city lights at night, it had a different kind of beauty.

The view from the observatory was really expansive, with the entire city and distant mountains visible at a glance. The visibility is excellent when the weather is good! It’s no wonder it was selected as one of Japan’s Night View Heritage sites. I’m sure it’s even more captivating at night, when countless lights illuminate the entire city.

It was a little disappointing to miss the famous night view this time, but it was still well worth visiting during the day for a walk and the scenery. Now we have a reason to come back next time!

When I came to Ozu Castle, I originally thought it would just be a small Japanese castle, but after visiting, I was drawn in by the scenery!

The most unique thing about Ozu Castle is the “feudal lord for a day” accommodation experience, known as Ozu Castle Stay. You can actually stay in a real Japanese castle, which sounds really interesting. Unfortunately, I didn’t arrange to stay overnight this time, so I could only look around and take photos. I’d really like to experience it next time if I get the chance.

Although the castle isn’t very large, the views are quite good. From above, you can look out over downtown Ozu and the surrounding countryside. Looking toward the Hijikawa River, you can also see trains on the Yosan Line slowly passing by, which was an unexpected little highlight of the visit!

If you like Japanese castles and historic architecture, don’t forget to add this place to your itinerary when visiting Ozu, Ehime.

This time I visited the Ozu Castle Town in Ehime. I didn’t have very high expectations at first, but it turned out to have much more character than I imagined! Walking along the old streets, with traditional Japanese buildings preserved on both sides, it felt as though time had slowed down and I had stepped into an earlier era of Japan.

The most iconic spot here is “Ohanahan Street,” named after the NHK morning drama Ohanahan, which was filmed here. The street has fully preserved its Edo-period layout, and everything from the exteriors of the houses to the streetscape gives off a strong sense of nostalgia.

We came on a weekday, and there were hardly any tourists on the entire street. It was especially relaxing to explore without crowds, and we could take our time admiring the old buildings along the way. We didn’t have to wait at all to take photos, either.

Nearby attractions include Ozu Castle, Garyu Sanso, and the Ozu Red Brick Hall, so they can all be visited together. Compared with lively, popular tourist spots, I really like quiet little towns like this with a sense of history. Without too much hustle and bustle, it’s even easier to appreciate the charm of traditional Japanese streets.