Nanyo / Uwajima

Top Things to do

• Ozu Castle

  4.0

  115 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Ozushi Ozu 903

  This is a castle which is said to have been constructed at the end of the Kamakura period by Utsunomiya Toyofusa who entered the domain as a protector. Thereafter, the castle was restored by the castle fortification expert, Todo Takatora, and the castle town was prosperous as the center of politics and economy of the Iyo Ozu feudal clan. Due to deterioration, the castle keep was demolished in 1888, but thereafter it was restored in 2004. It is a wooden keep reconstruction which was faithfully reproduced based on historical facts. Four turrets such as the kitchen turret and the southern corner turret have been designated as an Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

• Uchiko-za Kabuki Theatre

  4.5

  114 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Kitagunuchikochou Uchiko 2102

  This is a two-story theatre building with a gabled and tiled roof which was built in 1916, and its wooden architectural structure is representative of Aichi Prefecture. It was temporarily remodelled into a cinema, and there were also plans to demolish the building due to its deterioration, but in 1985 due to the zeal of the townspeople, the building was restored to its original condition at the time of being initially constructed. Public performances are done making best use of such things as “hanamichi” (stage–passages), “mawari-butai” (revolving stage), “masu-seki” (box seats) and Japanese musical accompaniment behind black bamboo screen. Again it is also possible to participate in a tour of the interior of the theatre when there are no events being held.

• Garyu Sanso (Mountain Villa)

  4.5

  123 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Ozushi Ozu 411-2

  This is a mountain villa of 9,930 square meters which commands a view of the picturesque landscape around the Hiji River, the “Garyu depths”, the villa was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2016. This is the villa which the wealthy merchant, Kouchi Torajiro constructed during the Meiji period to spend his final years; the Sukiya-zukuri style (Japanese traditional architectural style) of the building and the traditional Japanese landscape garden are wonderful. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery at your ease with green tea at “Furoan”. This site gained one star from “Michelin Green Guide Japan” in 2011, attracting attention.

• Roadside Station Minato Oasis Uwajima Kisaiya Plaza

  4.0

  73 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Uwajimashi Bentenchou 1-318-16

  This rest stop is located in Benten Town, Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, and serves as a base for sightseeing and exchange that showcases the appeal of Uwajima. The shops on-site feature well-known sweets such as oban and tomanju as well as marine products from the Seto Inland Sea, locally produced rice and sake, and many other specialty items. You’ll also find Royce-brand chocolate from Hokkaido and items from other sister cities. The food court offers local specialties such as Uwajima sea bream rice and Uwajima satsuma rice, which features a combination of fried fish and barley soup over rice.

• KOKUDO KYUSHI FERRY

  4.0

  33 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Nishiuwagunikatachou Misaki 1700-2

  A sea ferry that connects Saganoseki Port in Oita Prefecture with Misaki Port in Ehime Prefecture. This is the shortest connection between Shikoku and Kyushu at 31 kilometers wide, taking about 70 minutes to cross. It is part of National Route 197 which connects Kochi City with Oita City, but instead of using a bridge to cross the water, it has a ferry passing over the sea. The ferry makes 16 round-trip crossings every day, from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. Along with scenic view seats, shops, gallery seats, and group seating, there are a variety of accessible facilities including wheelchair accessible elevators (phone reservation required) and multipurpose bathrooms.

• Roadside Station Yawatahama Minatto

  4.0

  42 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Yawatahamashi Okishinden 1581-23

  You’ll find this rest area at Yawatahama Port in Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture. The site includes the “Information Center Multipurpose Hall,” which offers information on roads and sea routes as well as city events and tourist spots, the “Doya Market,” which offers fresh seafood caught the same day at reasonable prices, and the “Agora Marche,” which sells specialty products such as citrus fruits and vegetables. The popular dining hall and food court feature cuisine made with fresh fish and local ingredients. There’s also an expansive park full of greenery and a seaside boardwalk that’s perfect for a leisurely stroll.

• Kami Haga Residence and Wax Museum

  4.5

  54 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Kitagunuchikochou Uchiko 2696

  This historical building of 1894, now open as a museum, was once the residence of Kami Haga family, the main branch family of the Hon Haga family, one of the largest domestic wax producers in the country. There are ten main buildings on the grounds including the main house and annexes, and boiler room, designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Inside the residence is an exhibition space, and materials related to mokuro (Japan tallow) production and bleaching mokuro in Uchiko district are displayed.

• Heijo-zan Kanjizai-ji Temple

  4.0

  27 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Minamiuwagunainanchou Mishouhirajou 2253-1

  The Heijo-zan Kanjizai-ji is a temple belonging to the Daikaku-ji school of Shingon Buddhism, located in Ainan Town, Minamiuwa County, Ehime Prefecture. It is the 40th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage; because it is the furthest of the 88 temples from the starting point of the Pilgrimage, it is colloquially known as the “Rear Gateway of the Shikoku Temples.” The Kanjizai-ji Temple was founded in 807 by Kobo Daishi on the orders of Emperor Heizei. According to tradition, the statue of the Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) flanked by two warrior attendants which is the main object of veneration in the Temple was carved by Kobo Daishi from a single sacred tree. The Temple’s amulets—which are made by printing the words “Namu Amida Butsu” (“Homage to the Amida Buddha”) onto cotton cloth—are believed to have miraculous powers to ward off evil, ensure smooth childbirth, and assist with recovery from disease. The path leading up to the Temple is lined with statues of the “Eight Buddha Protectors of the Twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs.”

• Museum of Commercial and Domestic Life

  4.0

  42 Reviews

  Ehime Pref. Kitagunuchikochou Uchiko 1938

  The Museum of Commercial and Domestic Life is located in Uchiko Town. The building that houses the Museum is itself of great interest, having formerly been an apothecary’s shop that operated during the Edo and Meiji periods. Mannequins and period utensils are used to recreate the scene in the apothecary’s shop as it would have been in years gone by; the unique, highly-realistic mannequins surprise visitors by welcoming them using authentic phrases (researched with experts familiar with the period). The realistic scenes—which include the owners’ family eating together with the apprentices, the housemaid cooking a meal, and little details such as someone talking to himself as he works—are very popular with visitors. Models are used to present information about Uchiko Town’s history and way of life, famous local individuals, etc.