Preservation and revitalization of cultural assets in the castle town of Ozu.
大洲市・城下町における文化財の保存と再生について
The Hiji River crisscrosses Ozu’s old district, shaping a castle town that was founded more than 400 years ago and that boasts centennial abodes together with well-preserved medieval urban grid.
Over the past six decades, the town has been affected by an ageing and declining population. As a result, many of its houses have become vacant. Most owners moved out of the city during that period and in the early 2000's, a surge of demolition of old houses occurred. These structures had turn into a burden, difficult to maintain.
YATSUGI, a non-profit organization, was set up by a group of local young people to deal with this situation. With permission from the owners, they cleaned and managed vacant old houses, looking for ways to put them to use.
However, it was becoming increasingly difficult to protect the buildings, even for the groups that had been working hard to keep them standing. In order to preserve its built heritage and offer a brighter future to its dwindling old district, Ozu city council, together with local financial institutions, constituted a study group. Its conclusions revealed the urgency of the situation. Moreover, implementation of accommodation occupying some of the threaten properties, was estimated as a viable solution to Ozu’s ills. Consequently, Ozu City Council drew up a road map and set up strategic partnerships with the private sector to enact this urban regeneration plan.
NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town opened in July 2020, and as of March 2024, 31 old houses have been preserved and renovated, dramatically changing the mood of a district that was being demolished. Local residents are also pleased to see guests staying in erstwhile vacant old houses, or to see the lights being switched on in them at dusk. The establishment of the hotel has been accompanied with efforts to attract new businesses to open up shops, and the town has become lively again.
You can learn more about Ozu’s efforts by engaging in an on-site seminar, organized by Kita Management (its local DMO) :
・Required time for the programme: 4/8/16 hours
・Time of year: all year round
・Minimum number of participants: 5. Seminars can be hold for 1-4 participants, but a 5-person fee will be charged.
・Maximum number of participants: 30
・Price:
- Short Course: (4 hrs.) 88,000 yen per group (up to 5 people). 12,650 yen per additional person (from the 6th person onwards)
- Regular Course: 2 days/1 night (8 hrs.) 125,400 yen per group (up to 5 people), 17,600 yen per additional person (from the 6th person onwards)
- Long course: 3 days/2 nights (16 hrs.) 227,700 yen per group (up to 5 people), 31,900 yen per additional person (from the 6th person onwards)
＜If you wish to stay at the NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town, we will provide you with a special rate for the study tour.>
https://kita-m.com/inspection/course/
Over the past six decades, the town has been affected by an ageing and declining population. As a result, many of its houses have become vacant. Most owners moved out of the city during that period and in the early 2000's, a surge of demolition of old houses occurred. These structures had turn into a burden, difficult to maintain.
YATSUGI, a non-profit organization, was set up by a group of local young people to deal with this situation. With permission from the owners, they cleaned and managed vacant old houses, looking for ways to put them to use.
However, it was becoming increasingly difficult to protect the buildings, even for the groups that had been working hard to keep them standing. In order to preserve its built heritage and offer a brighter future to its dwindling old district, Ozu city council, together with local financial institutions, constituted a study group. Its conclusions revealed the urgency of the situation. Moreover, implementation of accommodation occupying some of the threaten properties, was estimated as a viable solution to Ozu’s ills. Consequently, Ozu City Council drew up a road map and set up strategic partnerships with the private sector to enact this urban regeneration plan.
NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town opened in July 2020, and as of March 2024, 31 old houses have been preserved and renovated, dramatically changing the mood of a district that was being demolished. Local residents are also pleased to see guests staying in erstwhile vacant old houses, or to see the lights being switched on in them at dusk. The establishment of the hotel has been accompanied with efforts to attract new businesses to open up shops, and the town has become lively again.
You can learn more about Ozu’s efforts by engaging in an on-site seminar, organized by Kita Management (its local DMO) :
・Required time for the programme: 4/8/16 hours
・Time of year: all year round
・Minimum number of participants: 5. Seminars can be hold for 1-4 participants, but a 5-person fee will be charged.
・Maximum number of participants: 30
・Price:
- Short Course: (4 hrs.) 88,000 yen per group (up to 5 people). 12,650 yen per additional person (from the 6th person onwards)
- Regular Course: 2 days/1 night (8 hrs.) 125,400 yen per group (up to 5 people), 17,600 yen per additional person (from the 6th person onwards)
- Long course: 3 days/2 nights (16 hrs.) 227,700 yen per group (up to 5 people), 31,900 yen per additional person (from the 6th person onwards)
＜If you wish to stay at the NIPPONIA HOTEL Ozu Castle Town, we will provide you with a special rate for the study tour.>
https://kita-m.com/inspection/course/
- Regions
- Southern Ehime
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
| Address | 愛媛県大州市大洲649-1まちの駅あさもや2F |
|---|---|
| Telephone Number | 0893-24-7060 |
| Contact Information | KITA MANAGEMENT |
| Contact Person | Yoshikawa / Matsumoto |
| Email Address | kita-management@kita-m.com |