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Ozu Castle in Ozu town, Ehime Prefecture, is the first and only castle in Japan to allow overnight stays for visitors. Built in 1617, it is also one of the few remaining wooden castles in Japan. Transforming Ozu Castle into a hotel is one of the efforts by local tourism professionals to revitalize a declining rural town.
Known as "Little Kyoto," Ozu is renowned for its beautiful Hiji River scenery, historical architecture, and the elegant four-story Ozu Castle. Once a political center during the Edo period (1603-1868), the town flourished during the Meiji (1868-1912) and Taisho (1912-1926) periods thanks to the production and trade of wax and silk. However, over the years, by the 20th century, Ozu had gradually declined, with many old buildings being destroyed due to their lack of economic value. Residents moved to other areas, leading to the town's eventual decline.
A few years ago, a project aimed at restoring the cultural value of Ozu was implemented. The town transformed old houses into hotels and villas for rent, including plans to offer overnight stays at Ozu Castle.
In fact, the original Ozu Castle was partially destroyed in 1888. The authorities decided to rebuild the town's landmark in 1999 from the ruins, using traditional wood instead of concrete. The castle, completed in 2004, stands 19 meters tall at a very high cost. Because it was rebuilt on the old site, the new Ozu Castle is permitted to welcome visitors without violating any Japanese heritage preservation regulations.
The castle opened its hotel area to guests in July. The public areas are open until 5 PM for visitors. After closing, the space becomes completely private for guests to stay. The plan is to accommodate only 30 guests per year, with a maximum of 6 guests at a time.
The price is quoted at one million yen per night for two guests (approximately 220 million VND). An additional surcharge of 100,000 yen per person (approximately 22 million VND) applies for each extra guest. The castle has no shops, public restrooms, or air conditioning. However, for guests staying overnight, there is a luxurious bathroom area and a private lounge in a secluded corner.
Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a welcoming team dressed as medieval soldiers or in traditional kimonos, accompanied by the sound of conch shell trumpets, waving flags, and a celebratory gun salute. They are then treated to a performance of the local kagura dance. Performers of this sacred dance typically wear white robes, white tabi (traditional Japanese clothing), and red masks. This traditional dance has been recognized as an important intangible cultural heritage of Japan.
Dinner is served at a restaurant located in one of the castle's four turrets, featuring formal traditional dishes, followed by moon-gazing, sake, and poetry recitation. These turrets, preserved in their original state, have stood for four centuries. After spending the night at the complex, guests have breakfast at Garyu Sanso, a historic cliffside villa with a tea house overlooking the Hiji River.
Some of the town's attractive activities are also offered to visitors, including traditional fishing on the river. The fee varies, with the highest being 100,000 yen (approximately 21.7 million VND) for guests staying at the castle.
