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Ozu

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Ozu, Mountain town in Kikuchi district, Japan

Description

Ōzu is a town in the Kikuchi district of Kumamoto Prefecture, situated where the Hiji River and Yaochi River meet. The settlement spreads across these middle river reaches at the foothills of the surrounding mountains.

History

The town was officially founded on April 1, 1889, establishing a modern administration for the area. This early development allowed it to participate in the industrial changes spreading across Japan during that era.

Culture

Handmade paper workshops and silk craftsmanship are woven into daily life here. You can watch artisans at work and purchase their creations in small local shops throughout town.

Practical

The central location makes it easy to reach neighboring cities by train or bus. Arriving in the morning gives you plenty of time to explore local workshops and shops before departure.

Did you know?

Several red brick buildings from the Meiji period still stand in town, remnants of that era's industrial growth. This architectural style is uncommon in rural Japanese towns, making them noteworthy for visitors.

Location
Inception
April 1, 1889
Reference
434035
Shares border with
Nishihara, Minamiaso, Kikuchi, Aso, Koshi, Kikuyo, Mashiki
GPS coordinates
32.87900,130.86831
Latest update
December 20, 2025 15:29

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Kumamoto Prefecture).

« Ozu - Mountain town in Kikuchi district, Japan » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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