Major city · Japan
Ozu大洲
Half a day for the castle and old town, or one night in a restored merchant house. Not a base: a stop on a Shikoku loop from Matsuyama.
Ozu is a compact castle town on the Hijikawa River in western Shikoku, about an hour from Matsuyama. Its wooden-reconstruction castle, preserved merchant streets and repurposed historic buildings make it one of the most genuine Edo-period townscapes in rural Japan. Most visitors see it as a half-day detour or a single-night stay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (humid), Jan–Feb (cold, few indoor options)
- Airport
- MYJ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ozu110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ozu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMYJ Matsuyama Airport (About 1 h by bus + train to Ozu; check connections).
- Getting aroundWalkable old town (15 min from the station by bus or taxi).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café in the old town¥400–600 (≈ US$3–5)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from station to castle area¥1,000–1,200 (≈ US$7–9)
- Metro or bus rideBus from station to castle area, one waycheck¥300 (≈ US$3)
- Museum or sight ticketOzu Castle entrycheck¥500–800 (≈ US$4–6)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedRestored kura / guesthouse double, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedRestored kura / guesthouse double, a night, per room¥30,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥12,000 (≈ US$85) · High ¥22,000 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MYJ Matsuyama Airport (About 1 h by bus + train to Ozu; check connections)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ozu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable old town (15 min from the station by bus or taxi). A local bus runs between the station and the castle area every 30–60 min. Taxi from the station to the castle about ¥1,000.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1 h 15 min
JR Yosan Line, about 1 h
Dōgo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle; a full day.
Uwajima
goDoor to door: 1 h
JR Yosan Line, about 40 min
Original Uwajima Castle and the bull sumo arena.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ohanahan Street / old town
Restored merchant houses and kura; most atmospheric, limited options.
Near Ozu Station
Business hotels and guesthouses; convenient for train access.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–9,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥10,000–16,000 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥18,000 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Restored kura / guesthouse double1 × 1 night × ¥15,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥12,000 | ¥24,000 |
| Bus from Ozu Station to castle area, return2 × ¥600 · check | ¥1,200 |
| Taxi from station to castle area, one way1 × ¥1,000 | ¥1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,120 |
| Trip total≈ ¥22,660 per person per day, bed included | ¥45,320≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Ozu Castle entrycheck | ¥500–800 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Coffee at a café in the old town | ¥400–600 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Lunch set at a local restaurant | ¥1,000–1,500 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Taxi from station to castle area | ¥1,000–1,200 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Bus from station to castle area, one waycheck | ¥300 (≈ US$3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Castle keep closes at 16:30 or 17:00; last entry 30 min before.Castle keep closes at 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM; last entry 30 min before.
- Restaurants in the old town may close by 18:00 or require reservations.Restaurants in the old town may close by 6:00 PM or require reservations.
- Buses to the castle area are infrequent; check the timetable at the station.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Ozu大洲
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
The nearest consulate is in Osaka; embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Matsuyama → Ozu, JR Yosan Line: about ¥1,200–1,500 (≈ US$9–11), about 1 h (check)
- Ozu Station → castle area, taxi: ¥1,000–1,200 (≈ US$7–9)
- Ozu Station → castle area, bus: about ¥300 (≈ US$3) (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- お城はどこですか？ — Where is the castle? (oshiro wa doko desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ozu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (humid), Jan–Feb (cold, few indoor options) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Ozu Castle, Ohanahan Street and the Hijikawa riverbank with verified hours and closure dates.
- Eat pages for the half-dozen restaurants in the old town, with last-order times.
- Sleep pages for the restored kura lodgings, with check-in windows and luggage-forwarding options.
Sources
Ask about Ozu
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