- To read about my recommendations of affordable, Reasonable, Convenient hotels in Tokyo, visit: Affordable Cheap Reasonable Hotels in Tokyo
- To read about my recommendations of affordable and reasonable hotels in OSAKA, visit: Osaka Reasonable Affordable Hotels
- To read about my recommendations of reasonable, affordable, and convenient hotels in KYOTO, visit: Kyoto reasonable, affordable, and convenient Hotels
- To read about how to plan your trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, visit: Planning your trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe in Japan
- To read about my recommendations of affordable and reasonable hotels in OSAKA, visit: Osaka Reasonable Affordable Hotels
- To read about my recommendations of reasonable, affordable, and convenient hotels in KYOTO, visit: Kyoto reasonable, affordable, and convenient Hotels
- To read about how to plan your trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, visit: Planning your trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe in Japan
ACCESS TO MATSUYAMA 松山 IN SHIKOKU 四国
*Tokyo airport to Matsuyama airport by FLIGHT: ~2 hours; ~$100 USD on Skyscanner
*Tokyo to Matsuyama by JR express/bullet TRAIN system: ~7 hours; ~$180 USD
*Kansai airport to Matsuyama by JR express/bullet TRAIN system: ~5 hours; ~$110 USD
*Osaka/Kyoto areas to Matsuyama by JR express/bullet TRAIN system: ~4 hours; ~$100 USD
*Tokyo to Matsuyama by BUS: ~12 hours; ~$95 USD
*Osaka/Kyoto to Matsuyama by BUS: ~5 - 8 hours; ~$30 - 50 USD
BAISHINJI STATION 梅津寺 駅
After finishing up breakfast buffet at my business hotel cafeteria, I took the local Matsuyama tram to Matsuyama-shi (City) station 松山市駅 of Iyotetsu (Iyo rail) 伊予鉄 system.
Planning to take the Iyotetsu rail system train, I purchased a ticket to the Baishinji station (~20 minutes) for the film location of the classic Japanese TV drama, Tokyo Love Story. Baishinji station is the film location appeared in the very last episode of the Japanese TV drama.
Off the beaten path, I was only the only person getting off at the Baishinji station. The place was not touristy nor had much establishment to keep visitors entertained in this area. I did notice that there were travelers from Asia who seemed to be fans of the particular Japanese TV drama, visiting this less sought after sightseeing spot in Shikoku.
Baishinji station is considered to be one of the most scenic train station due to its coastal location.
This particular level crossing next to Baishinji station was also an integral part of an important scene in Tokyo Love Story television drama.
After looking at the train schedule, I walked around the train station to take some photos before heading back to the Matsuyama city center for my next destination. The last scene of Tokyo Love Story TV drama made a great deal out of the train schedules for the lead actor and lead actress.
Remember to catch the train at 448pm (1648) together with your loved ones.
The train station platform had a sign commemorating one of the highest rated Japanese television drama, Tokyo Love Story. Popular myth states if couples visit the platform together and tie a handkerchief on the rail, their love and romantic relationship will last forever.
IYO OZU TOWN 伊予 大洲 大洲市
After returning back to JR Matsuyama station, I took the JR train using the JR pass to an area by JR Iyo-Ozu station to visit the other film location of the classic Japanese TV drama. The express train would have cost about $20 USD and takes about 37 minutes, but the cost was covered by the wonderful JR pass. The area was the "hometown" of the lead actor. The lead actor and actress had a few important scenes in Iyo Ozu area in the very last episode of Tokyo Love Story TV drama.
To conserve my energy, I took the taxi to Ozu Shrine (Ozu Jinja) and then I visited several of the sightseeing spots on foot while walking back slowly to the JR Iyo Ozu station.
It felt like I was traveling in time when I walked up to the Ozu Jinja Shrine. Wooden buildings lining the streets leading to the Shrine.
Hand cleansing at Temizuya 手水舎 before praying in Japanese Shrine.
Offering of 5 yen Japanese coin is a common practice at Japanese Shrines for good fortune.
Take a stroll down the stairs for nice view of the small town of Ozu.
I believe this was the classic view of a famous scene that appeared in the last episode of Tokyo Love Story television series.
Despite of being a very small town in rural Shikoku, signs were well labeled in both English and Japanese languages.
Traveling in time and walking through the streets of old town Ozu, which is nicknamed Little Kyoto of Ehime prefecture.
Ohanahan-dori Street おはなはん通り is another filming locations of a scene where the Kanji/Yuji Oda and Rika/Honami Suzuki, characters of Tokyo Love Story TV drama, had their stroll in this quiet town.
Stopping by an traditional Japanese house for lunch to taste their local traditional Kyodo (not Kyoto) cuisine.
Kyodo Dining Shun 郷土料理 旬 served special local cuisine consists of teriyaki beef with rice, topped with special flavored Miso sauce. I tasted heavily fermented soybean Miso flavor in the sauce.
The traditional decor of this restaurant made me feel that I was traveling in time in ancient Japan. I can understand why Ozu was nicknamed Little Kyoto of Ehime prefecture.
After finishing up, I continued on the strolling in this small town that had a great sense of nostalgia.
I bought a postcard from this "ancient" version of Japanese convenient store.
This was original post box appeared in Tokyo Love Story TV drama in the last episode. The lead actress Rika 赤名 リカ (Honami Suzuki 鈴木 保奈美 ) wrote a postcard and dropped it into the same post box without telling the lead actor Kanji カンチ 永尾 完治 (Yuji Oda 織田裕二) Common belief among young Japanese couples has it that if couples mail postcards to each other, their love and romantic relationship will last forever.
Japanese traditional lantern shop is not a common sight in modern Japan anymore.
Walking through the streets of Ozu old town, I noticed many medical clinics on the way back to the train station.
Passing by the river bank. I believe this was one of the classic scenes of Rika and Kanji in the last episode of Tokyo Love Story TV drama.
I decided to skip visiting Ozu Castle because I was heading back to Matsuyma to visit the much more established Matsuyama castle.
It was a nice walk from the Ozu Shrine and Ozu old town area back to the JR Iyo Ozu station. It was an easy walk about 1 mile or 1.6 kilometer. When visiting small town in rural Japan, I recommend visiting local markets to learn about local culture through local food ingredients.
Overall, I believe Ozu town has a strong nostalgic feeling in Japanese standard. For travelers who like to visit film locations of television and movies, Ozu is highly recommended because it is one of the least touristy sightseeing spots in Japan I have ever visited. Ozu town is also great option for day trip destination when based in Matsuyama city in Shikoku, even when you are not a fan of Tokyo Love Story television drama.
INFORMATION AND USEFUL LINKS
*Matsuyama Hotel and Accommodation Comparison (Trivago)
*Iyo Ozu Hotel and Accommodation Comparison (Trivago)
*Matsuyama Tourism Tripadvisor
*Iyo Ozu Tourism Tripadvisor
*Baishinji Station Google Map
*Shikoku - Japan National Tourism Organization
*Matsuyama - Japan National Tourism Organization
*Ozu - Japan National Tourism Organization
*Tokyo Love Story - Japan National Tourism Organization
*Tokyo Love Story Television Drama YouTube video (English Subtitle)
ALSO KNOWN AS
Tokyo Love Story, 東京ラブストーリー, 東京愛情故事, 도쿄 러브 스토리
Shikoku, 四国, しこく, 四國, 시코쿠, เกาะชิโกะกุ,
Matsuyama, 松山, まつやま, 마쓰야마
Iyo Ozu, 大洲, おおずし, 오즈 시
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