Ozu Castle

This castle is a must see. Besides the 4 original yagura designated Important Cultural Properties, the reconstructed wooden main keep is beautiful. I've heard it said that in 100 years this would be Important Cultural Property quality. The castle is so picturesque in the valley along that river that

History

The first fortifications on this site were constructed in 1331 by Utsunomiya Toyofusa. From 1585-1617 the castle was ruled by a quick succession of lords including Kobayakawa Takakage, Toda Katsutaka, Todo Takatora and Wakisaka Yasuharu. The castle you see today was most likely built up during this time. Kato Sadayasu arrived in 1617 and his descendents ruled until the Meiji Restoration. The main keep was destroyed in 1888. The reconstruction was completed in 2004 using wood and traditional methods. It also connects 2 of the original yagura.

Field Notes

This castle is a must see. Besides the 4 original yagura designated Important Cultural Properties, the reconstructed wooden main keep is beautiful. I've heard it said that in 100 years this would be Important Cultural Property quality. The castle is so picturesque in the valley along that river that you could probably spend a whole day moving around the town to take photos from many locations. It started to rain in the afternoon and I had to cut my visit shorter than I would have liked.

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Gallery

Main keep, Koran Yagura, Daidokoro Yagura
Main keep and Koran Yagura
Main keep and Koran Yagura.
main keep and Daidokoro yagura
Ozu Castle as seen from the train
Gomonban Guardhouse
Honmaru Stone Walls
Honmaru Stone Walls
Ninomaru Bailey
Covered loopholes of the Sannomaru South Corner Yagura
Main keep and honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Ninomaru
Honmaru stone walls
Looking out over the Hijikawa River
Honmaru and stone walls
Honmaru and stone walls
Inside the Daidokoro Yagura
Inside the main keep
Inside the main keep
Model of roof structures
A view of the honmaru
Interior of the Koran Yagura
Inside the main keep
Koran Yagura
Inside the main keep
Inside the main keep
Inside the connecting yagura
Karamete entrance
Main keep and inner moat stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Site of the Mizunote Yagura
Stone walls by the river
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Honmaru stone walls
Ninomaru bailey
Ninomaru Okugoten stone walls
Ninomaru Main Palace stone walls
Ninomaru Bailey
Shimo Daidokoro Yagura.
Base structure of the Shimo Daidokoro Yagura.
Site of the Yagurashita Gomon Gate
Yagura foundation stone walls
Sannomaru South Corner Yagura
Sannomaru South Corner Yagura
Sannomaru South Corner Yagura
Loopholes of the Sannomaru South Yagura
Covered loophole of the Sannomaru South Yagura
Owata Yagura

Castle Profile
English Name	Ozu Castle
Japanese Name	大洲城
Alternate Names	Jizogatake-jo
Founder	Utsunomiya Toyofusa
Year Founded	1331
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Reconstructed main keep
Designations	Top 100 Castles, has Important Cultural Properties, Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Main Keep Structure	4 levels, 4 stories
Year Reconstructed	2004 (wood)
Artifacts	Sannomaru South Sumi Yagura, Owata Yagura, Daidokoro Yagura, Koran Yagura
Features	main keep, gates, turrets, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Iyo Ozu Sta. (Yosan Line), taxi
Hours	open 9am-5pm year round; 500 yen
Time Required	120 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Ozu, Ehime Prefecture
Coordinates	33.50954, 132.54114
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2006
Contributor	Frank T.
Admin Year Visited	2016
Admin Visits	Feb. 27, 2016
Friends of JCastle
Malcolm Fairman Photography - Ozu Castle

3.94

(16 votes)

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