Shikoku Castle Tour Day 3: Exploring Yuzuki and the Majestic Wooden Keep of Ozu Castle

【Kagawa-Ehime Castle Tour Day 3】Deep Dive into Matsuyama & Expedition to Nanyo | Conquering 100 Fine Castles

The final day of our Shikoku expedition has arrived. Day 3 is a packed itinerary, ranging from a medieval fortress in Matsuyama City to a stunning wooden keep in the Nanyo region, finishing with the authentic flavors of the Seto Inland Sea.

08:00 Recharging with Candeo’s Breakfast and Morning Bath

Our final morning began with the buffet at “Candeo Hotels Matsuyama Okaido.” I filled up on a hearty breakfast and took a dip in the rooftop open-air bath to get ready for the day.

One small point for improvement: at the Ochazuke (rice with dashi broth) station, the layout of the broth and rice, as well as the dish labels, were a bit confusing, making it hard to navigate the choices smoothly.

After checking out, we spotted a “Pokéfuta” (Pokémon manhole cover) featuring Tsareena right near the hotel. Keigo immediately pulled out his favorite Lugia plushie for a happy commemorative photo.

09:00 Conquering Yuzuki Castle | Morning Stillness and the Scent of History

A 10-minute drive from the hotel brought us to Yuzuki Castle, located inside Dogo Park. We arrived around 9:00 AM, just as the city was waking up and the shops in the arcade were beginning to open.

The crisp morning air mixed with the unique historical scent of the medieval earthworks. Just walking there made me feel refreshed and focused. Near Dogo Onsen Station, we caught a glimpse of the “Botchan Train” (a nostalgic steam engine replica), a scene truly unique to Matsuyama.

While I was focused on the ruins, 8-year-old Keigo was captivated by… the pigeons in the park. I couldn’t help but chuckle watching my son frantically taking photos of birds instead of battlements.

11:30 Drive to Nanyo | Healing Views of Sea and River

Leaving Matsuyama behind, we headed further south toward Ozu.

The proximity to the sea and the gentle river scenery sparked a different kind of curiosity in me—”this looks like a great spot for fishing.” The peaceful drive was a perfect remedy for the fatigue of our trip.

13:00 Conquering Ozu Castle | The Mastery of the Historically Authentic Wooden Keep

The main event of Day 3 was Ozu Castle. Its keep, reconstructed entirely in wood in 2004 for the first time in post-war Japan, has an overwhelming presence even from a distance.

Stepping inside, you can truly feel the pinnacle of craftsmanship that faithfully followed Edo-period blueprints. While the area is quiet without flashy tourist traps, the staff welcomed us so warmly, making it clear how much they value the castle itself.

Keigo got the biggest surprise of the day: a toy matchlock gun at the gift shop. He had been wanting one for ages, and the moment he got it, he had the proudest look on his face. Posing in front of the castle, he looked like a true young samurai.

By the way, some charming shops near the castle were apparently used as filming locations, and the nostalgic atmosphere of the castle town was deeply memorable.

16:30 Matsuyama Airport | Reflecting on Memories in the Lounge

After returning the rental car, we arrived at Matsuyama Airport a bit early. Since our flight tickets were non-changeable, we decided to fully enjoy “Matsuyama flavors” one last time at the airport.

After filling up on Shikoku delicacies like Tai-meshi (sea bream rice) and Goshiki Somen (five-colored noodles), we headed to the lounge using my credit card benefits.

While playing Pokémon GO with Keigo, we looked back at the photos from our three-day trip. We conquered many castles, ate amazing food, and shared so many laughs. “Which of the 100 Fine Castles should we visit next?” With that conversation, we boarded our flight back to Haneda.