{"id":92094,"date":"2022-03-11T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=92094"},"modified":"2024-11-25T22:07:27","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T13:07:27","slug":"ozu-uwajima-shikoku-things-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/ozu-uwajima-shikoku-things-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tale of Two Towns: A 3-Day Itinerary of Shikoku’s Ozu and Uwajima Towns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Deep in the heart of Ehime Prefecture, a leisurely drive south of Matsuyama City, away from the throngs of tourists taking photos of Dogo Onsen<\/a>, the hot spring that inspired Spirited Away<\/em>, lie two towns whose richness now lies in their relative obscurity. Ozu<\/strong> (\u5927\u6d32), once a booming inland harbor town, was abundant in both wealth and culture and is being revitalized after decades out of the spotlight. In contrast, Uwajima <\/strong>(\u5b87\u548c\u5cf6) is the perfect place to experience small-town life thriving with both industry and craftsmanship. Combined, they make a relaxing two-night, three-day trip<\/strong>, with luxury accommodation and dining options for the traveler who wants to experience both culture and tradition in tranquility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to See and Do in Ozu Castle Town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ozu<\/strong> was a castle town whose isolation was pivotal to its success. Sitting on the Hiji River, just 20 kilometers from the coastline, what remains of this classic Japanese town is a legacy to the Meiji Era industrialists who built their success upon the urban layout developed during the Edo period. In its heyday, barges traveled 25 kilometers from Uchiko Town<\/a> <\/strong>(\u5185\u5b50) loaded up with the soft wax of the fruit from the sumac tree to Ozu and then on to Kobe, Kyoto, and beyond. This wax, better known at the time as \u2018Bintsuke<\/a>\u2019<\/strong> (\u9b22\u4ed8) in Japan<\/strong>, and \u2018Japan Wax\u2019 in Europe, was lauded for its use as a sweat-eradicating foundation layer underneath the clean, white makeup of the geisha in Kyoto, and as a hair pomade of the modern office worker in Tokyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ozu
The residents of Ozu became wealthy due to the Hiji River.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Those who owned and expanded the sumac plantations and barges became wealthy, and the township became a thriving merchant center, with banks and tea houses, and shrewd investments made in silk production continued to pay handsome returns well into the early 20th century. Culture, sophistication, and deep ties to the capital classes of Tokyo and Kyoto also came to Ozu. However, over time, industrial processes replaced the natural wax and silk production and the barges disappeared and the once-bustling streets and impressive townhouses lay empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n