“Ehimefuru Satoyama Walk” is a series that introduces the charms of familiar Satoyama in Ehime Prefecture. The 10th visit is Mt. Fuji in Ozu City, which is famous for its azaleas. I saw the historic townscape and the azaleas that were starting to bloom.
(NHK Matsuyama Broadcasting Station Rinia Matsuda Announcer/Kaoru Okabe Cameraman)
The contents of the special feature can be viewed on “Himepon!” (NHKGTV from 6:10 p.m.), which is being distributed on NHK Plus.
Ozu City/Mount Fuji
This is not “Fujisan”, it is pronounced “Tomisuyama”.
This is a satoyama at an altitude of 320 meters located just east of the center of Ozu City. Mount Fuji Park at the top of the mountain is known as a famous spot for azaleas, and every year from late April to May, approximately 63,000 azaleas bloom and the park is crowded with people.
This is the route for this time. Start climbing from the center of Ozu City. Cross the Hijigawa River and continue walking while watching the flow of the river on your right. Aim for the summit from the approach to the temple at the foot of the mountain.
Diego loves Mt. Fuji
Our guide will be Diego Cosa Fernandez, a Spaniard.
Diego came to Japan to study “Japanese architecture.” I fell in love with the townscape of Ozu, where historic buildings remain, and have been involved in town planning for the past six years.
Mr. Diego
Although Mt. Fuji is not that high, it is a mountain that plays a very important role in the city of Ozu and has a strong relationship with the feudal lord, so I would like to convey its charm as much as possible.
“Iyo’s Little Kyoto” Ozu townscape
Before we started climbing, Diego showed us around his favorite places. Ozu, which developed as a castle town, still has many buildings from the Edo period, and is also called “Iyo’s Little Kyoto.”
As I was walking around town, I noticed something.
There are curtains of the same design hanging in some of the old buildings.
The word “hotel” is written on the curtain. But it doesn’t look like a hotel. Isn’t this a warehouse?
Actually, each building is a hotel room.
So, does that mean you can stay in these old houses and storehouses, and there are plenty of them in this town of Ozu? That’s nice.
This storehouse, which was built during the Edo period, is also a room in the hotel. When I opened the heavy sliding door, typical of an old warehouse, I was greeted by a stylish space.
The organization that Diego belongs to maintains the old buildings that remain in Ozu by renting or purchasing them and using them as hotels for tourists. Approximately 6,000 people stay here each year, helping to preserve the townscape.
The flow of Hijigawa River and “upside down Mt. Fuji”
Cross the Hijikawa River from the center of town.
From the top of the bridge, Mt. Fuji is reflected in the sky. I was able to see “Upside Down Fuji”. When I looked closely at the top of the mountain, I saw that it was slightly pink in color. Expectations are high for the blooming of the azaleas.
Ozu’s famous architecture “Garyu Sanso”
There are many historic buildings remaining at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
Garyu Sanso, a Meiji-era building built along the Hijiri River and designated as an important cultural property of the country, is one of them. For Diego, who is conducting research on the theme of “water and architecture,” this is the place that inspired him to move to Ozu.
I love this scenery. The combination of the building, the river, and the surrounding mountains is amazing. However, it wasn’t very well known, so I felt like I had found a treasure.
From the approach to Nyohoji Temple to Mt. Fuji
Continue along the paved road for a while with Hijikawa and Garyu Sanso on your right. Then I found a signpost. It says “Nyoho-ji Sando”.
The real climbing begins from here.
As I walked along the cedar trees and moss-covered stones, feeling the passage of time, I came into view of the temple.
Nyoho-ji Temple was rebuilt by Yasuoki Kato, the second lord of the Ozu domain, and this Buddhist temple has also been designated as an important cultural property of the country. This is also a building recommended by Diego.
How is the azalea blooming?
If you go further from the shrine grounds, you will be faced with steep stairs.
Ah, the stairs…
There are quite a few steps.
There’s no choice but to reach the top.
After climbing a long staircase that continues for about 150 meters, you will arrive at Fujisan Park at the top of the mountain. In the park, colorful azalea flowers were beginning to bloom. There are some buds that are about to bloom, so I’m looking forward to the future.
From the observation deck, you could see the entire cityscape of Ozu. As I looked down on the town of Ozu, which is surrounded by the flow of the Hijikawa River and historic buildings, I felt that I understood Diego’s love for Mt. Fuji.
Mr. Diego
“Mt. Fuji is really a mountain right next to the center of the city.It’s nature right next to it.So even though it’s part of the city, when you enter the mountain, you can enter a world that is separate from the city.Mt.Fuji is very It’s important. I think it’s also very important for the city.”
I tried to compose one last poem
This is the annual “Satoyama hike”. This time I tried to compose a poem.
Tekichoku and Watermelon Chou Yamatagiri
“Gradations of grass and green, the mountains are full”
Tekichoku refers to the azalea, and Suinokaichō refers to the gradation of green. I wrote a poem about how the azaleas were starting to bloom and the bright green hues made the mountains feel like they were bubbling up.
About Mt. Fuji
Location: Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture
Altitude: 320m
(remarks)
It takes about an hour and a half to walk from the center of town to the top of the mountain. You can also drive up to the observation deck near the top of the mountain.
I visited on April 17th for the photo shoot. The azaleas had already begun to bloom, but according to the Ozu City Tourism Association, on this day they had only been in bloom for about a minute. The best time to see them is at the end of April, so it might be a good idea to visit during this long holiday.
The content of the special feature can be viewed in the video below after it is broadcast on NHK Plus.
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