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Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town

Castles Once home to kings and knights, castles were fortified estates with towering walls. Today, many historic castles have been transformed into heritage stays, offering guests a taste of medieval grandeur. Some castle hotels in Ireland, the UK, and Germany also serve as wedding venues. If you're a history buff, explore our list of the most breathtaking heritage castle hotels. 
High Medieval to Renaissance Every historic hotel tells a unique tale of its time. From Renaissance’s Gothic cathedrals to Japanese simplicity, each location reflects the culture, way of life, and architectural style of its era. This property belongs to High Medieval to Renaissance. Click to know more about this period.
4-Star
Ozu-shi Ozu 378, 795-0012 Ōzu, Japan
$163.00 /night for 2 adults View Deal

Highlights

Recognized as Japan's first authentic castle stay

Registered as National Tangible Cultural Properties (Four towers)

Popular Amenities

  • Restaurant
  • Garden
  • Air conditioning

Overview

Have you ever dreamed of staying in a castle? If so, you must plan a stay at the 14th-century Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town. The fully restored castle is the first of its kind in the country. It features stunning architecture, luxurious rooms, and unforgettable experiences. The hotel follows a decentralized concept, which means that its buildings are scattered all over the castle town. Some of these historical buildings have even been designated as tangible cultural properties! When it comes to gastronomy, the property offers nothing but the best, which mainly includes age-old recipes. For more information, scroll down to find a detailed description of Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town, a traditional castle hotel in Ozu, Japan.

Superb 9.3
107 reviews

map Ozu-shi Ozu 378, 795-0012 Ōzu, Japan
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Local Info

Garyu Sanso
Ohanahan Street
Ozu Akarenga-kan
Nearest Airport
Nearest Railway Station
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History

Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town is a unique decentralized hotel dating back to the 1300s and offering a heritage stay in Japan. While the main castle was built in the 14th century, the property features eleven other historical houses and mansions belonging to different eras, including the Edo Period (1603 - 1868). Back then, the Murakami and Kato clans had supremacy over the town, so most of the buildings you'll see now belonged to them. The Meiji (1868–1912) and Taisho (1912–1926) Periods saw the most development of the city, with a flourishing wax and silk production. It was also a strategically located port city, thus attracting wealthy merchants. Many of these merchants built houses and teahouses in the area, some of which are now part of the hotel.

History
One of the buildings at Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town

One of the hotel's buildings, TUNE, named after the third-generation Kato lord Yasutsune, used to be a ryotei (Japanese restaurant) back in the Edo Period. The SADA building is also named after a Kato lord, Kato Sadayasu. Some of the buildings are even registered as tangible cultural properties as they've stood the test of time. These include the kitchen turret, the Koran turret, the Owata turret, and the Sannomaru south corner turret.

Hotel image
A traditional room at Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town

The castle's main structure was built by Yasuharu Wakisaka in 1617. Although it was destroyed in 1888, the castle tower was carefully renovated and restored with wood in 2004 with the initiative of the local community and government. It's, in fact, the first restored castle in Japan to welcome guests. The wood used for the restoration was completely sourced from Japan.

Hotel image
The castle tower of Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town

Design and Architecture

You'll find a delightful mix of architectural styles at the hotel, as its buildings belong to different eras. The main castle, for example, features Edo-period architecture. You can admire intricate woodwork made with wood sourced from all over Japan.  The castle is lit up at night to enhance its stunning architecture. The tower also features a beautiful diorama depicting the creation of the Ozu Castle. Other tiny but significant architectural details include a carved wooden ladybird. The hotel's buildings also include the quintessential tatami mats, exposed wooden ceilings, and earthen walls. Despite thorough renovations, the buildings retain most of their natural materials, original decor, and traditional charm.

Hotel image
The hotel lit up at night

Amenities

Popular Amenities

  • Restaurant
  • Garden
  • Air conditioning

Rooms

Economy Twin Room


Guest

Room 2 Bed Type 1

Room size 47 m2

Price per night

$163.00

per night price includes taxes and charges
View deal

Dining

LE UN

Dining at Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town is a grand affair. The gourmet restaurant LE UN offers the Kato clan’s favorite dishes prepared using French techniques and age-old recipes under the supervision of the current chef, Kazuya Sugimoto. Natural seasonal products are used for the meals, including seafood from Seto Inland Sea, such as sea bream and spiny lobster, fresh river crabs from Hijikawa River, beef local to Ehime, and other produce from the verdant mountains, such as taro, citrus fruits, and chestnuts. This not only highlights Ozu's natural bounty but also helps you connect with the local culture.. The food is served in a visually pleasing manner in aesthetic Tobe ware, a special kind of porcelain local to Tobe, introduced by the Kato family. Drinks unique to the region are also served with the meals, including Silk Ale from Garyu Brewery.

Opening hours: 11:30 am - 3 pm; 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Capacity: 40 people

Dining
A gourmet meal at LE UN

Koran Yagura and Castle Lounge

Koran Yagura is the watchtower-cum-bar where you can relish local sake and mingle with fellow travelers. This spot used to be the favorite moon-viewing spot for the samurais at Ozu Castle. The lounge in the annex is also a great place to enjoy a nightcap.

Hotel image
Food served in delicate Tobe ware

Breakfast

Savor a wholesome breakfast unique to Ozu by the Hiji River during your stay. This includes imotaki, a kind of hot pot served in the city, miso soup, and shiny rice.

Serving hours: 7:30 am - 10 am

Hotel image
Breakfast with a view at Nippon

Destination wedding

Who doesn't dream of a castle wedding? Make your dream come true by booking Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town as your venue. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and rich heritage of the castle town on your special day. You can book one of the historic buildings for your event. The castle hotel accommodates three kinds of wedding ceremonies: a shrine ceremony, a public ceremony, and a Japanese-style ceremony with banquet facilities. A skilled team will guide you through all the steps of arranging and executing the event. Moreover, you can book a Photo wedding plan to capture the precious moments forever.

The reception can be held in the reception hall, which features warm wooden aesthetics and gorgeous views. The property's restaurant team will take care of the catering, so rest assured that your guests will return home with a happy tummy. Grand Chef Ishii Noriyuki will even welcome suggestions and requests based on the couple's preferences.

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Events and experiences

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

The best part about Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town's decentralized concept is that you get to explore all of Ozu during your stay. You'll be picked up in a luxury car from the airport and graciously welcomed at the castle. You can actually roleplay as the lord of the castle on horseback, and you will be treated accordingly! There will be a group of samurai greeting you as you enter the property. You can dress up in samurai armor as well.


The property offers themed dinner nights and vibrant performances by local kagura theater artists. Guided tours and tea presentations are also offered here. You can mingle with locals while touring the castle town on a rickshaw, go for a private cruise on a houseboat, or learn the techniques of ukai cormorant fishing. Yacht charters are also possible if you wish to explore the Seto Inland Sea. Adventure seekers can try stand-up paddleboarding on the Hiji River.

Other Celebrations

The property welcomes private events and celebrations. Feel free to contact the management before your visit and plan your event in advance.

Book Venue
Hotel image
Standup paddleboarding on the Hiji River

Cultural etiquette

  • Bowing (ojigi): It's advisable to bow to show respect when greeting someone. It can also be done to show gratitude or convey an apology.
  • Shoe etiquette: You must remove your outside footwear before stepping on the elevated area of the genkan (entrance) and entering a house. You should also ensure not to step on the lower area of the genkan without your shoes on. Shoes must be kept facing the entrance. If you wear socks, they should be clean and without any holes.
  • Slipper etiquette: It's usually better to wear fresh socks or slippers inside the house, especially for formal situations. Make sure to remove your slippers before stepping into a room with tatami mats on the floor. There should also be a separate set of slippers for the washroom.
  • Dining etiquette: How you hold and place your chopsticks while dining is crucial. For example, they shouldn't be held upright when eating rice. You must also place them on a holder when you're not using them. It's good to say "Itadakimasu" before starting a meal and "Gochisousama deshita" after completing it.
  • Tipping etiquette: Tipping isn't a common practice in Japan and may be considered rude.
  • Luggage etiquette: Luggage, especially those with wheels, should be carried instead of being dragged across the floor as it might damage the tatami mats or wooden flooring.
  • Photography etiquette: Photography rules can change from place to place, so make sure to check for signs or ask the staff before taking pictures anywhere.
  • Queueing etiquette: Make sure to maintain queues and never cut in line.
  • Onsen etiquette: Some onsens don't allow tattoos, so check with the staff before getting into one. You must also shower and be clean before entering a shared onsen bath.
  • Bathing etiquette: Japanese baths include separate areas for washing while the tub itself is meant only for soaking. This means bathers must first wash, scrub, and rinse themselves before entering the bath tub.

Local Info

Garyu Sanso

Rustic riverside villa featuring stunning traditional architecture (4-minute walk)

Ohanahan Street

Historic street lined by Edo-period houses, deriving its name from a morning drama called Ohanahan (1-minute walk)

Ozu Akarenga-kan

Early-20th-century red-brick building housing souvenirs unique to the region (4-minute walk)

Nearest Airport

The nearest airport to Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town is Matsuyama Airport, about a 50-minute drive away.

Nearest Railway Station

The nearest railway station to the property is Iyo-Ōzu Station, only a 5-minute drive away.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Customer Reviews

Location

The village is so beautiful and quiet.

Amenities

The bathrooms were amazing with giant wooden tubs and nice toiletries.

Dining

Top class dinner included in my plan, could rival any Michelin star restaurant.