Ozu: Traditions, Sports and Special Discoveries

Ōzu brings vibrant local traditions together with unusual discoveries: a statue from the ONE PIECE reconstruction project, a Kumamon-themed spot at the station, historic irrigation systems and a local sweet give the town its many different facets. There are also opportunities to get active and enjoy seasonal experiences. When choosing your holiday rental, consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay—cultural history, regional festivals, sports or a stroll by the water, for example.

Special Sights and Stories

A Zoro statue stands in Ōzu Central Park. It was installed as part of the ONE PIECE reconstruction project, “Straw Hat Crew: Hino Country Reconstruction Arc.” It faces Ōzu Budokan. For those interested in the character and the project, the statue offers a specific place to visit; its orientation also gives the monument a clear connection to another named place in Ōzu.

Kumamon Base also tells a story of transformation: the visitor centre at the south exit of Higo-Ōzu Station was renovated and designed as “Kumamon’s Secret Base.” A Kumamon-themed Honda Monkey is also on display there, making it a good photo opportunity. This makes the Base a different kind of discovery from the statue in the park: here, the focus is on the design as a Kumamon base and an eye-catching vehicle.

If you prefer to explore older technology and landscape history, you can learn about the Uwaide and Shimoide irrigation systems. They were conceived by Katō Kiyomasa, the first lord of Kumamoto Castle, and recognised as “World Irrigation Heritage.” At Uwaide Park, you can experience the Uwaide watercourse on a walk or while jogging; there is also a waterwheel to see. In Ōzu, pop culture and the historically significant subject of irrigation offer distinct interests side by side.

Activities, Festivals and the Seasons

Ōzu Sports Park offers people from toddlers to seniors opportunities to take part in various sports, including football, basketball and volleyball. The activities that interest you may therefore be a factor in planning your trip. For a different way to get around, the Higo Ōzu Tourism Association offers motorcycle rentals: motorcycles can be rented by the hour and ridden freely.

The Ōzu Tsutsuji Festival, held in central Ōzu, features a samurai parade led by local children and a mikoshi parade. The Ōzu Karaiimo Festival takes place every year in November and attracts visitors from Ōzu as well as from outside the city. The two festivals have different focuses: one centres on parades, while the other is an annual November event associated with Ōzu. If you want to plan your stay around a festival, the Karaiimo Festival’s November date provides a specific point of reference.

At Showaen, cherry trees begin the spring bloom; a wide variety of azaleas flower there afterwards. This provides a seasonal reason to plan your visit for spring. Hiyoshi Shrine is currently the only place in Kumamoto Prefecture to offer a “football omamori” (protective amulet). Visitors also come from other prefectures to worship and obtain this amulet—a special destination for those who want to connect football with religious tradition.

Ozu’s Local Sweet

Dosen-to is a sweet from Ōzu, currently made and sold at three shops. To make it, rakugan powder based on rice or glutinous rice flour is mixed with sugar and wrapped around red bean paste. This specific combination makes Dosen-to more than just a general confectionery label, and gives the local food culture a tangible connection. If you are interested in regional specialties, you can make the sweet a distinct part of your stay.

These activities reflect different interests in Ōzu, so choose your holiday rental to suit the kind of stay you are planning.

More Destinations

More places in the directory: Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, Tanouramachi, Yatsushiro, Kikuchi, Hokamaki, Arao, Kami-Amakusa.

For the main travel overview: Kumamoto Prefecture.