Ōzu-shi, City in Ehime Prefecture, Japan
Ōzu-shi is a city in western Ehime Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, built around the Ōzu Basin where the Hiji River curves through the center. The city mixes old wooden townhouses, narrow streets, a hilltop castle, and traditional gardens along the riverbanks.
Ōzu grew into a castle town during the Edo period, around 400 years ago, when it served as an administrative center for the region. The historic district still carries the street layout and building styles from that era and the following Meiji period.
Most sights in the historic district are close to each other and easy to cover on foot from the train station. A rental bicycle is a good option for those who want to explore the riverbanks and neighborhoods at a slower pace.
The city is known by a local nickname, the Little Kyoto of Iyo, where Iyo is an old name for the Ehime region, because its narrow lanes and old wooden houses reminded travelers of the ancient capital. This comparison was not invented for tourism but came naturally from people who had seen both places.
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