From Yawatahama Port to Ozu Castle, National Route 197 and the closure of Yawatahama Road
From Yawatahama Port, where you arrive with your car on a ferry from Kyushu, to Ozu Castle. Between the port and Ozu the road is National Route 197, and a full daytime closure of the parallel Yawatahama Road has been announced for October 13 to 30, 2026 (excluding Saturdays and Sundays).
Summary
- Ferries that carry cars to Yawatahama Port: Uwajima Unyu Ferry (Beppu, Usuki) and Kyushi Orange Ferry (Usuki), 2 companies and 3 routes.
- Yawatahama Road (Yawatahama East IC to Yawatahama IC) is announced as fully closed Oct. 13-30, 2026, 9:00-17:00, except Sat and Sun (26-30 are reserve days).
- National Route 197 from Yawatahama to Ozu overlaps with National Route 380 in map data.
- No official page was found that gives the driving time from Yawatahama Port to Ozu Castle.
- Uchikoza has been closed for about 4 years from September 2, 2024, and the road on its east side is also announced as closed to vehicles.
This article is based on official sources and maps. A record of the operator actually driving this route will be added after the drive.
A driving video is in preparation. When it is published, it will appear here with chapters numbered the same as the points below.
Map and points
Point locations: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) ・ License
Yawatahama Port Ferry Center (八幡浜港フェリーセンター)
StartThe terminal building where the ferries arrive and depart. Both Uwajima Unyu Ferry and Kyushi Orange Ferry give the address as "1581-26 Dejima, Yawatahama, Ehime."
Location 33.458472, 132.415294 · Source OpenStreetMap(way/1040718749)
Minato Exchange Hall (Michi-no-Eki and Minato Oasis Yawatahama Minatto) (みなと交流館(道の駅・みなとオアシス 八幡浜みなっと))
ParkingA facility of the roadside station next to the port. The official "Basic information" gives the parking as 197 spaces (3 large vehicles, 194 standard cars), and the parking and bicycle parking as all day.
Location 33.458239, 132.418244 · Source 基本情報 | 八幡浜みなっと
Yawatahama IC (Ohira) (八幡浜IC(大平))
Merge / splitAn interchange on the Ozu-Yawatahama Expressway. The full daytime closure of Yawatahama Road announced for October 13 to 30, 2026 (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) is for the section from here to Yawatahama East IC.
Location 33.469331, 132.424796 · Source OpenStreetMap(node/1474764258)
Yawatahama East IC (Go) (八幡浜東IC(郷))
Merge / splitThe interchange at the east end of Yawatahama Road. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's re-evaluation result gives the start and end of the unopened Yoruhiru Road as "from Hirano, Ozu, Ehime to Go, Yawatahama, Ehime."
Location 33.469552, 132.464825 · Source OpenStreetMap(node/1474764463)
Yoruhiru Tunnel, Yawatahama-side portal (夜昼隧道 八幡浜側の坑口)
PassThe Yawatahama-side entrance of "Yoruhiru Tunnel," the first tunnel on National Route 197.
Location 33.466015, 132.484216 · Source OpenStreetMap(way/156299289)
Yoruhiru Tunnel, Ozu-side portal (夜昼隧道 大洲側の坑口)
PassThe Ozu-side exit of Yoruhiru Tunnel. In map data, it is recorded as a two-lane tunnel.
Location 33.476013, 132.503994 · Source OpenStreetMap(way/156299289)
Ozu-Nishi Tunnel, west portal (大洲西トンネル 西側の坑口)
PassThe west entrance of "Ozu-Nishi Tunnel," the second tunnel on National Route 197.
Location 33.491740, 132.521487 · Source OpenStreetMap(way/156299258)
Ozu-Nishi Tunnel, east portal (大洲西トンネル 東側の坑口)
PassThe east exit of Ozu-Nishi Tunnel.
Location 33.490896, 132.533105 · Source OpenStreetMap(way/156299258)
Section shared by National Routes 56, 197 and 380 (Ozu city center) (国道56号・197号・380号の重複区間(大洲市街))
Merge / splitIn the Ozu city center, a section where three route numbers, National Routes 56, 197 and 380, overlap.
Location 33.492318, 132.541844 · Source OpenStreetMap(way/210296207)
Ozu Machi-no-Eki Asamoya (大洲まちの駅あさもや)
ParkingA facility whose parking the Ozu City official tourism information gives as "9:00-18:00 * may change," "free," "6 large buses, about 40 standard cars." In the table on the same page, it is an 11-minute walk from here to Ozu Castle.
Location 33.506598, 132.546739 · Source 大洲市内・お車でお越しの方 | 大洲市公式観光情報【VisitOzu】愛媛県大洲市
Garyu Sanso (臥龍山荘)
PassA facility whose official page gives the hours as 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), open every day, and the admission as 550 yen for adults. No parking information was found on the official page.
Location 33.506310, 132.550087 · Source 臥龍山荘|愛媛県大洲市
Ozu Castle (大洲城)
ArriveThe destination. The official page gives the hours as 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), open every day, and the admission as 550 yen for adults and 220 yen for children.
Location 33.509562, 132.541120 · Source 利用案内 - 大洲城公式ウェブサイト|愛媛県大洲市
The routes that bring cars to Yawatahama Port are from two companies, Uwajima Unyu and Kyushi Orange Ferry, 3 routes in all
Of the routes from Yawatahama Port toward Kyushu, those that can carry cars are 3 routes of 2 companies (the destinations are Beppu and Usuki). In the “▼Ferry” column of Yawatahama City’s “Transportation guide,” Uwajima Unyu Ferry (0894-22-2100), Kyushi Orange Ferry (0894-22-5094) and Tanaka Yuso (Oshima route) (0894-22-0757) are listed.
The “Routes and timetable” page of Uwajima Unyu Ferry gives the travel time and distance for two routes. The number of sailings is a count of the rows in the timetable on the same page.
| Route | Travel time | Distance | Rows in the timetable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yawatahama-Beppu | 2 hours 50 minutes | 89 km | 6 sailings from Yawatahama / 6 from Beppu |
| Yawatahama-Usuki | 2 hours 25 minutes | 67 km | 7 sailings from Yawatahama / 7 from Usuki |
The same page has the following note.
※定期検査・気象状況などにより時刻・配船が変更または休航になる場合がございます。ご利用の際にもう一度ご確認ください。
Translation: “* Times and ship assignments may change, or sailings may be canceled, because of regular inspections, weather conditions and other reasons. Please check again when you use the service.”
Source: 航路・時刻 | 宇和島運輸フェリー
The same page also has notes on resting on board and on canceled sailings, but which sailings they apply to is shown by symbols (images), and this article could not read them.
便は05:30まで 船内休憩 できます。
便は土曜日のみ休航 便は日曜日のみ休航
Translation: “The sailing allows resting on board until 05:30.” “The sailing is canceled on Saturdays only. The sailing is canceled on Sundays only.”
Source: 航路・時刻 | 宇和島運輸フェリー (the quotes are the original without the symbol parts)
That the ferries carry cars can be confirmed on the “Fares” page of Uwajima Unyu Ferry. This page has a table for “automobiles,” which lists fares by vehicle length for Yawatahama-Beppu and Yawatahama-Usuki, for October 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (fuel price adjustment charge: stage 13). The note under the table is as follows.
※自動車航送運賃には運転手1人の2等旅客運賃を含みます。※幅2.5mを超える車両は別途割増運賃を申し受けます。
Translation: “* The car ferry fare includes the second-class passenger fare for one driver. * An additional surcharge is charged for vehicles wider than 2.5 m.”
Source: 運賃 | 宇和島運輸フェリー
The route name of Kyushi Orange Ferry is “Kyushi Route (Yawatahama-Usuki).” The official timetable page assigns “Schedule 1,” “Schedule 2,” “Schedule 3,” “Extra schedule” or “Dock schedule” to each day in a monthly calendar. For October 2026, Tuesday to Friday are assigned to Schedule 1, and Saturday, Sunday and Monday to Schedule 2 (this was identified from the class names in the page’s HTML). Schedule 1 has 7 sailings from Yawatahama, No. 101 to No. 107, and 7 sailings from Usuki, No. 201 to No. 207. In Schedule 2, No. 104, 106, 204 and 206 are marked “ー” on Saturdays, and No. 101 and 201 are marked “ー” on Sundays and Mondays.
・検査入渠(ドック入り)・天候・海上模様等で欠航又は、時間変更となる場合があります。出発前に必ずこ確認ください。 ・ご乗船手続きは出港の20分前までにお済ませ下さい。
Translation: “- Sailings may be canceled or times changed because of inspection docking, weather, sea conditions and other reasons. Please be sure to check before you leave. - Please complete the boarding procedure by 20 minutes before departure.”
Source: 航路・時刻表|九四航路(八幡浜-臼杵)|オレンジフェリー|四国開発フェリー株式会社 (“こ確認” is as in the original)
On the official page of the Kyushi Route, no wording like “travel time of X hours” was found. That it is a route that carries cars can be confirmed from the notes “all vehicles disembark on arrival at Usuki” and “☆ is a designated sailing (vehicles carrying dangerous goods can board).”
The Yawatahama Port page of Kyushi Orange Ferry gives the address (1581-26 Dejima, Yawatahama, Ehime) and the following guide.
カーナビで検索の場合は、0894-22-5094で検索してください。
Translation: “If you search with a car navigation system, please search with 0894-22-5094.”
Source: 九四航路(八幡浜-臼杵)「八幡浜港」についてはこちら
In Yawatahama City’s “Municipal parking guide,” Dejima Parking Lot (出島駐車場) (14 spaces) is listed with “24 hours,” “60 yen per 30 minutes,” “per 24 hours,” “maximum 2,000 yen,” “coin type,” “first hour free,” “nearest parking to the ferry terminal,” and “banknotes other than 1,000 yen notes cannot be used.” The “Access” page of Uwajima Unyu Ferry writes the same lot as “Dejima Parking (1 minute on foot, 60 yen for 30 minutes, 2,000 yen maximum per day),” without the “first hour free.” The Yawatahama City page also has the note “* Shinkawa Parking Lot ended operation on March 31, 2023 (Reiwa 5).”
About the parking lot of Yawatahama Minatto (point 2) next to the port, the same facility’s “Frequently asked questions” has the following sentences.
八幡浜みなっとの駐車場は施設利用者及び道路利用者が一時的に休憩するための駐車場です。 そのため車を置いたままフェリーに乗船するなどの目的外の長時間駐車はお断りしております。
Translation: “The Yawatahama Minatto parking lot is for facility users and road users to rest temporarily. For that reason, long-term parking for other purposes, such as leaving a car and boarding a ferry, is not accepted.”
Source: よくある質問 | 八幡浜みなっと
Parking for leaving your car at the port and boarding a ship is summarized in Leaving your car and taking a boat: parking at Ehime ports.
A full daytime closure of Yawatahama East IC to Yawatahama IC on Yawatahama Road has been announced for October 13 to 30, 2026 (excluding Saturdays and Sundays)
Between the port and Ozu, the toll-free expressway “Ozu-Yawatahama Expressway (Yawatahama Road)” runs parallel to National Route 197. For this section, the original text of the notice that Shikoku Kaihatsu Ferry (Orange Ferry) posted on October 2, 2026 is as follows.
期間 : 令和8年10月13日(火)~ 10月30日(金)の間(土日を除く各日) 予備日: 10月26日(月)~ 10月30日(金) 時間 : 9:00 ~ 17:00 ※天候状況や作業の進捗により、通行規制を行わない場合や早期に解除される場合があります。 区間 : 八幡浜東IC(郷)~ 八幡浜IC(大平)間(全面通行止め) ※保内IC ~ 八幡浜IC(名坂道路)間は規制なし(通常通行可能) 迂回路 : 国道197号(一般道)
Translation: “Period: from Tuesday, October 13 to Friday, October 30, 2026 (each day except Saturdays and Sundays). Reserve days: Monday, October 26 to Friday, October 30. Time: 9:00 to 17:00. * Depending on the weather and the progress of the work, the restriction may not be carried out or may be lifted early. Section: between Yawatahama East IC (Go) and Yawatahama IC (Ohira) (full closure). * No restriction (normal traffic possible) between Honai IC and Yawatahama IC (Nazaka Road). Detour: National Route 197 (general road).”
Source: 大洲・八幡浜自動車道(八幡浜道路) 昼間全面通行止めのお知らせ | 九四航路 | オレンジフェリーからのお知らせ | 四国開発フェリー株式会社
The flyer at the link (Ehime Prefecture Nanyo Regional Office, Yawatahama Civil Engineering Office, PDF) has the same content, and its headings are “Ozu-Yawatahama Expressway (Yawatahama Road),” “Full closure in the daytime,” and “Reiwa 8 (2026) 10/13 (Tue) to 10/30 (Fri), each day 9:00 to 17:00, excluding Saturdays and Sundays.” In the flyer’s calendar, October 13 to 16 and 19 to 23 are color-coded as implementation days, and October 26 to 30 as reserve days. The detour is National Route 197 (general road). The contact is the Ehime Prefecture Nanyo Regional Office, Yawatahama Civil Engineering Office, Ozu-Yawatahama Expressway Construction Division and Road Division, Tel 0894-22-4111 (main line), and it says reception is 8:30 to 17:15 except Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and the year-end and New Year holidays.
This notice is for the period from October 13 to 30, 2026. By the time you read this article, the period may have passed. Before you leave, check the restrictions in effect then with the contact above and the ferry company’s notice. If you arrive at the port during the closure hours, the detour is National Route 197, as the notice says.
National Route 197 from Yawatahama to Ozu overlaps with National Route 380 in map data
Road names, route numbers and interchange names were checked in OpenStreetMap map data. The general road between Yawatahama and Ozu is National Route 197, but this section is recorded in map data as a section shared with National Route 380. When you reach the Ozu city center, you enter a section where National Routes 56, 197 and 380 all overlap.
| Road | Route number | Type | Toll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ozu-Yawatahama Expressway, Yawatahama Road | National Route 197 | Motor vehicle-only road | Free |
| Ozu-Yawatahama Expressway, Nazaka Road | National Route 197 | Motor vehicle-only road | Free |
| National Route 197 (general road, Yawatahama to Ozu) | National Routes 197 and 380 | General road | — |
| Shared section in the Ozu city center | National Routes 56, 197 and 380 | General road | — |
| Ozu Road | National Route 56 (E56) | Motor vehicle-only road | Free |
| Matsuyama Expressway | E56 | Expressway | Toll |
The toll column is the toll/toll-free distinction recorded in map data.
Two tunnels are on this general-road section. From the Yawatahama side, they are “Yoruhiru Tunnel” and “Ozu-Nishi Tunnel,” in that order. Both have two lanes in map data. What the inside of the tunnels is like (whether there are sidewalks, the lighting) has not been checked yet.
Yoruhiru Road, from Yawatahama East IC (Go) to Hirano, Ozu, has not opened yet. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s re-evaluation result (projects continued in fiscal 2026, Reiwa 8) says the following.
事業名 地域高規格道路 大洲・八幡浜自動車道 一般国道197号 夜昼道路 事業主体 愛媛県 起終点 自:愛媛県大洲市平野 至:愛媛県八幡浜市郷 延長 4.2km 全体事業費 272億円/事業進捗率 約46%/供用済延長 - km/計画交通量 7,700台/日
「大洲・八幡浜自動車道」は、愛媛県大洲市北只から八幡浜市保内町喜木を結ぶ約14kmの高規格道路であり、愛媛県における「3つのミッシングリンク」の1つである。
Translation: “Project name: Regional high-standard road, Ozu-Yawatahama Expressway, General National Route 197, Yoruhiru Road. Project body: Ehime Prefecture. Start and end: from Hirano, Ozu, Ehime to Go, Yawatahama, Ehime. Length: 4.2 km. Total project cost: 27.2 billion yen / project progress about 46% / length in service: - km / planned traffic volume: 7,700 vehicles per day.” “The ‘Ozu-Yawatahama Expressway’ is a high-standard road of about 14 km connecting Kitatada, Ozu, Ehime and Kiki, Honai-cho, Yawatahama, and is one of the ‘three missing links’ in Ehime Prefecture.”
Source: 再評価結果(令和8年度事業継続箇所)地域高規格道路 大洲・八幡浜自動車道 一般国道197号 夜昼道路 (the first quote joins the cells of the table with “→”, “…” and “/”)
Because the length of Yoruhiru Road in service is “- km,” from Yawatahama East IC (Go) to Hirano, Ozu, you drive on the general road, National Route 197.
No official page was found that gives the driving time from Yawatahama Port to Ozu Castle
No official page was found that says how many minutes it takes by private car or rental car from Yawatahama Port to Ozu Castle. What was found goes in the opposite direction, or starts from a different place.
| What it says | Source | Direction and means |
|---|---|---|
| About 30 minutes by car from Ozu IC | Uwajima Unyu Ferry, “Access” | Ozu IC → Yawatahama Port |
| From Ozu IC on the Matsuyama Expressway … 25 minutes by car | Yawatahama Minatto, “Traffic and access information” | Ozu IC → Minatto |
| Yawatahama Port → Ozu Honmachi 30 minutes | Ozu City official tourism information (VisitOzu), “Access from within Ehime” | Iyotetsu Nanyo Bus (not a car) |
The third row joins the cells (departure, arrival, travel time) of the “From Yawatahama Port” table in Ozu City official tourism information (VisitOzu), “Access from within Ehime,” with “→.”
The original text of the Uwajima Unyu Ferry “Access” page is as follows.
大洲ICより車で約30分 大洲IC-大洲南出口-国道197号-八幡浜東IC-八幡浜出口-八幡浜港
Translation: “About 30 minutes by car from Ozu IC / Ozu IC - Ozu South exit - National Route 197 - Yawatahama East IC - Yawatahama exit - Yawatahama Port”
Source: アクセス | 宇和島運輸フェリー
This is a guide for the direction toward the port, and no official page was found that gives the same route in the direction away from the port. No official page was found either that explains in text the way from the port terminal (Dejima) to the general road. The position of the exit after getting off the ship and the wording of the guide signs will be added after driving it and checking.
The Yawatahama Minatto “Traffic and access information” page lists three distances around the port.
JR予讃線八幡浜駅から … 車で5分 松山自動車道大洲ICから … 車で25分 八幡浜フェリーターミナルから … 徒歩3分
Translation: “From JR Yosan Line Yawatahama Station … 5 minutes by car. From Ozu IC on the Matsuyama Expressway … 25 minutes by car. From Yawatahama Ferry Terminal … 3 minutes on foot.”
Source: 交通情報・アクセス情報 | 八幡浜みなっと
The distance and travel time between the port and Ozu are not given in this article. Numbers made by adding up the numbers that official pages give are not included either.
Ozu Castle was chosen as the end point because its hours, fees and parking could be confirmed officially
The end point of this route is Ozu Castle. Ozu Castle was the place where all three, opening hours, admission fees and nearest parking, could be confirmed on official pages. The original text of the “Visitor information” page is as follows.
大洲城は、年中無休で営業しております。営業時間は午前9:00から午後5:00まで、札止めは午後4:30です。
営業時間(hours)
9:00~17:00 (札止16:30) 年中無休
観覧料(Admission)
大人 Adults ¥550
小人 Children ¥220(中学生以下)
共通券(大洲城・臥龍山荘・盤泉荘)
2施設(大洲城・臥龍山荘)
大人 Adults ¥880
小人 Children ¥330(中学生以下)
3施設(大洲城・臥龍山荘・盤泉荘)
大人 Adults ¥1,100
小人 Children ¥440(中学生以下)
保護者の同伴する5歳以下の幼児は無料です。
大洲市内に住所を有する65歳以上の方は無料です。
身体障害者手帳、療育手帳又は精神障害者福祉手帳を所持する方は無料です。(車いすでのご来城の場合、事前にご相談ください。)
Translation: “Ozu Castle is open every day of the year. The opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the last entry is 4:30 p.m.” “Hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), open every day. Admission: Adults 550 yen, Children 220 yen (junior high school students and younger). Combined tickets (Ozu Castle, Garyu Sanso, Bansenso): 2 facilities (Ozu Castle and Garyu Sanso): Adults 880 yen, Children 330 yen (junior high school students and younger). 3 facilities (Ozu Castle, Garyu Sanso and Bansenso): Adults 1,100 yen, Children 440 yen (junior high school students and younger). Children aged 5 and under accompanied by a guardian are free. People aged 65 and over who live in Ozu City are free. People who hold a physical disability certificate, an intellectual disability certificate (Ryoiku Techo) or a mental disability welfare certificate are free. (If you come to the castle in a wheelchair, please consult us beforehand.)”
Source: 利用案内 - 大洲城公式ウェブサイト|愛媛県大洲市
The same page also has a guide for going by car.
自動車でお越しの場合
※最寄りの駐車場は大洲市民会館駐車場(有料)または、大洲市観光第一駐車場(無料)になります。
松山自動車道大洲肱南インターチェンジより 約10分
Translation: “If you come by car: * The nearest parking lots are the Ozu Civic Hall parking lot (paid) or the Ozu City Kanko Daiichi parking lot (free). About 10 minutes from Ozu Hijiminami Interchange (大洲肱南インターチェンジ) on the Matsuyama Expressway.”
Source: 利用案内 - 大洲城公式ウェブサイト|愛媛県大洲市
The reasons the other three places that were considered were not made the end point are also written here as they are. For Garyu Sanso (臥龍山荘), the hours (9:00-17:00, last entry 16:30, open every day) and the admission (550 yen for adults) could be confirmed officially, but no parking information was found on its official page. Because it is within walking distance of Ozu Castle, this article includes it as a side trip at point 11. Uchikoza (内子座) is closed. Yokaichi-Gokoku Townscape (八日市・護国の町並み) is a district, so there is no guide to opening hours, and the capacity of the Machinami Parking Lot (町並駐車場) could not be found on an official page either.
For the nearest parking to Ozu Castle, the official site lists Kanko Daiichi Parking Lot and Ozu Civic Hall Parking Lot
The Ozu Castle official site lists two “nearest parking” lots: the Ozu Civic Hall parking lot (paid) and the Ozu City Kanko Daiichi parking lot (free). Names, addresses, hours, fees and capacities appear in the “Within Ozu City, for those coming by car” table of Ozu City official tourism information (VisitOzu). They are listed here as in the original.
| Name | Address | Hours | Fee | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanko Daiichi Parking Lot (観光第一駐車場) | 635-9 Ozu, Ozu, Ehime (愛媛県大洲市大洲635-9) | – | Free | 4 buses, 47 standard cars |
| Ozu Machi-no-Eki Asamoya (大洲まちの駅あさもや) | 649-1 Ozu, Ozu, Ehime (愛媛県大洲市大洲649-1) | 9:00-18:00 * may change | Free | 6 large buses, about 40 standard cars |
| Ozu Civic Hall (大洲市民会館) | 891-1 Ozu, Ozu, Ehime (愛媛県大洲市大洲891-1) | 8:00-22:00 | Paid (160 yen for the first hour, then 80 yen per 30 minutes) | About 50 cars |
| City Hall multi-storey parking (庁舎立体駐車場) | 1034-2 Ozu, Ozu, Ehime (愛媛県大洲市大洲 1034-2) | 7:30-21:00, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only | Free | About 60 cars * vehicle size limits apply (length 5 m or less, width 2 m or less, height 2 m or less) |
Source: 大洲市内・お車でお越しの方 | 大洲市公式観光情報【VisitOzu】愛媛県大洲市
The “Hours” column for Kanko Daiichi Parking Lot is left as “–” in the VisitOzu table. Ozu City’s “To everyone visiting the Ozu castle town (Parking guide)” (updated October 11, 2021) gives Kanko Daiichi Parking Lot as “open every day, open 24 hours” and the address as “635-1 Ozu.” The address in the VisitOzu table is “635-9,” so the two official pages differ.
The same page also gives walking times from the parking lots.
大洲まちの駅あさもや → 臥龍山荘 … 徒歩5分 大洲まちの駅あさもや → 大洲城 … 徒歩11分 大洲IC → 大洲まちの駅あさもや … 約10分
Translation: “Ozu Machi-no-Eki Asamoya → Garyu Sanso … 5 minutes on foot. Ozu Machi-no-Eki Asamoya → Ozu Castle … 11 minutes on foot. Ozu IC → Ozu Machi-no-Eki Asamoya … about 10 minutes.”
Source: 大洲市内・お車でお越しの方 | 大洲市公式観光情報【VisitOzu】愛媛県大洲市 (the quotes join the cells of the table with “→,” “…” and “/”)
If you extend your trip to Uchiko, Uchikoza is closed for about 4 years from September 2024
If you extend your trip east from Ozu to Uchiko Town, read Uchiko Town’s notice about Uchikoza first. This is the original text from the Uchiko Town website, “About the long-term closure of Uchikoza” (updated June 24, 2024).
内子座では耐震補強を含む保存修理工事の為、2024年9月2日月曜日から約4年間休館することとなりました。
Translation: “Because of preservation and repair work including seismic reinforcement, Uchikoza will be closed for about 4 years from Monday, September 2, 2024.”
The “Frequently asked questions” of the Uchiko Town official tourism site also gives the planned reopening.
重要文化財内子座は、耐震補強を含む大規模改修工事のため2024年9月より休館させていただいております。約4年の工期を経て、2029年春には再オープンする予定です。
Translation: “The Important Cultural Property Uchikoza has been closed since September 2024 for large-scale renovation work including seismic reinforcement. After a construction period of about 4 years, it is scheduled to reopen in spring 2029.”
On roads and parking, the Uchiko Town website, “About parking use and traffic restrictions due to the preservation and repair work of Uchikoza” (updated May 2, 2025), says the following.
道路の交通規制(2025年2月3日から2028年4月頃まで) 下図の通り、内子座東側の道路が車両通行止めとしております。 徒歩の通行は可能です。
内子座保存修理工事に伴い、内子座駐車場が使用できない場合があります。 使用できない場合は、内子自治センターなど、近隣の駐車場をご利用ください。
Translation: “Road traffic restrictions (from February 3, 2025 to around April 2028): As shown in the figure below, the road on the east side of Uchikoza is closed to vehicles. Passage on foot is possible.” “Because of the preservation and repair work of Uchikoza, the Uchikoza parking lot may not be usable. If it cannot be used, please use a nearby parking lot such as the Uchiko Community Center (内子自治センター).”
Source: 内子座の長期休館について - 内子町ホームページ、よくあるご質問 | 内子町観光グルメ情報、内子座保存修理工事に伴う駐車場利用・交通規制のご案内について - 内子町ホームページ
The Uchikoza page of the Uchiko Town official tourism site still has the fields “Usable hours / business hours 9:00-16:30” and “Parking 8 spaces (free),” but the same page has a closure notice at the top. Whether these hours are from before the closure could not be decided from the official pages.
Parking for the townscape appears in the “Frequently asked questions” of the Uchiko Town official tourism site.
八日市護国の町並みの北側入口付近に町営の「町並み駐車場」がございます。料金は一回300円(大型バスは1040円)です。駐車場から町並みまでは徒歩1分です。 ■利用可能時間 8:30~18:00(10月~3月は17:00) ※年末年始期間は休業 ■TEL 0893-44-5347
Translation: “There is a town-run ‘Machinami Parking Lot’ near the north entrance of the Yokaichi-Gokoku townscape. The fee is 300 yen per visit (1,040 yen for large buses). It is a 1-minute walk from the parking lot to the townscape. Usable hours: 8:30-18:00 (17:00 from October to March). * Closed during the year-end and New Year period. Tel: 0893-44-5347.”
Source: よくあるご質問 | 内子町観光グルメ情報
The “Yokaichi-Gokoku Townscape” page of the same site writes “Machinami Parking Lot <Shiromawari 178, Uchiko> (paid),” so the name is written in two ways, “町並駐車場” and “町並み駐車場.” The capacity was not found on either page.
On the way to Uchiko, the “Access” page of the Uchiko Town official tourism site has routes from Matsuyama Airport and Misaki Port, but no route or travel time from Yawatahama Port was found. What can be confirmed in map data is that there is a way to enter Ozu IC from the Ozu city center and go to Uchiko-Ikazaki IC (内子五十崎IC) on the Matsuyama Expressway. In map data, Ozu Road up to Ozu IC is recorded as toll-free, and the Matsuyama Expressway beyond it as a toll section. In the route guide on the Uchiko Town official tourism site, it is about 5 minutes on National Route 56 from Uchiko-Ikazaki IC to the Uchiko Town preservation district. The toll between Ozu IC and Uchiko-Ikazaki IC was not checked in this article.
What comes next for this article
The latitude and longitude of the points, and the road route numbers and interchange names, were checked with OpenStreetMap information. The point numbers will be the same as the chapter numbers in the driving video. This article was written only from official pages and map data, and has not been driven yet. After driving it, we will add the position of the port exit, how the entrance to Yawatahama Road looks, the route numbers shown on the National Route 197 signs, what the inside of the two tunnels is like, how the intersection where three routes overlap in the Ozu city center is built, and how to walk from the parking lot to Ozu Castle. The description of the daytime closure of Yawatahama Road will be reviewed after the period ends.
What could not be confirmed on official pages is as follows.
- The driving time from Yawatahama Port to Ozu Castle and Uchiko
- A guide in text from the port terminal (Dejima) to the general road
- The address of Kanko Daiichi Parking Lot (Ozu City’s page says 635-1, the VisitOzu table says 635-9)
- The parking fee at Michi-no-Eki and Minato Oasis Yawatahama Minatto
- The toll between Ozu IC and Uchiko-Ikazaki IC on the Matsuyama Expressway
- The car fares of Kyushi Orange Ferry (the fares page could not be found)
- On the Uwajima Unyu Ferry timetable, which sailings the notes on resting on board and canceled sailings apply to (the symbols are images)
- The capacity of the Machinami parking lot in Uchiko
- Whether the “9:00-16:30” that remains on the Uchikoza page is the wording from before the closure
Parking (4)
| Name | Spaces | Fee | Hours | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanko Daiichi Parking Lot (観光第一駐車場) 愛媛県大洲市大洲635-1 | 47 | Free | Open every day, open 24 hours | One of the two lots that the Ozu Castle official site lists as the "nearest parking." Ozu City's "Parking guide" (updated October 11, 2021) says 47 standard cars and 4 buses, open every day and open 24 hours. The address is "635-1" on the Ozu City page and "635-9" in the table of Ozu City official tourism information (VisitOzu), where the usage hours column is "-." | 大洲城下町へお越しの皆さんへ(駐車場のご案内) - 大洲市ホームページ |
| Ozu Civic Hall (大洲市民会館) 愛媛県大洲市大洲891-1 | — | Paid (160 yen for the first hour, then 80 yen per 30 minutes) | 8:00-22:00 | The lot that the Ozu Castle official site lists as "the nearest parking is the Ozu Civic Hall parking lot (paid)." The table of Ozu City official tourism information says "about 50 cars." | 大洲市内・お車でお越しの方 | 大洲市公式観光情報【VisitOzu】愛媛県大洲市 |
| Ozu Machi-no-Eki Asamoya (大洲まちの駅あさもや) 愛媛県大洲市大洲649-1 | — | Free | 9:00-18:00 * may change | The same table says "6 large buses, about 40 standard cars." The official page says it is an 11-minute walk from here to Ozu Castle and a 5-minute walk to Garyu Sanso. | 大洲市内・お車でお越しの方 | 大洲市公式観光情報【VisitOzu】愛媛県大洲市 |
| City Hall multi-storey parking (庁舎立体駐車場) 愛媛県大洲市大洲 1034-2 | — | Free | 7:30-21:00, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only | The table of Ozu City official tourism information says "about 60 cars * vehicle size limits apply (length 5 m or less, width 2 m or less, height 2 m or less)." | 大洲市内・お車でお越しの方 | 大洲市公式観光情報【VisitOzu】愛媛県大洲市 |
Sources
- 航路・時刻 | 宇和島運輸フェリー (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 運賃 | 宇和島運輸フェリー (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- アクセス | 宇和島運輸フェリー (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 航路・時刻表|九四航路(八幡浜-臼杵)|オレンジフェリー|四国開発フェリー株式会社 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 九四航路(八幡浜-臼杵)「八幡浜港」についてはこちら (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 大洲・八幡浜自動車道(八幡浜道路) 昼間全面通行止めのお知らせ | 九四航路 | オレンジフェリーからのお知らせ | 四国開発フェリー株式会社 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 大洲・八幡浜自動車道(八幡浜道路)/昼間全面通行止め(愛媛県南予地方局 八幡浜土木事務所のチラシ、PDF) (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 基本情報 | 八幡浜みなっと (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 交通情報・アクセス情報 | 八幡浜みなっと (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- よくある質問 | 八幡浜みなっと (retrieved October 13, 2026)
- 交通機関案内 | 八幡浜市 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 市営駐車場案内 | 八幡浜市 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 利用案内 - 大洲城公式ウェブサイト|愛媛県大洲市 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 臥龍山荘|愛媛県大洲市 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 大洲市内・お車でお越しの方 | 大洲市公式観光情報【VisitOzu】愛媛県大洲市 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 大洲城下町へお越しの皆さんへ(駐車場のご案内) - 大洲市ホームページ (retrieved October 13, 2026)
- 愛媛県内からのアクセス | 大洲市公式観光情報【VisitOzu】愛媛県大洲市 (retrieved October 12, 2026)
- アクセス | 内子町観光グルメ情報 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 八日市・護国の町並み | 内子のおすすめ観光スポット | 内子町観光グルメ情報 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- よくあるご質問 | 内子町観光グルメ情報 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 内子座の長期休館について - 内子町ホームページ (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 内子座保存修理工事に伴う駐車場利用・交通規制のご案内について - 内子町ホームページ (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- 再評価結果(令和8年度事業継続箇所)地域高規格道路 大洲・八幡浜自動車道 一般国道197号 夜昼道路 (retrieved October 11, 2026)
- OpenStreetMap(地点の位置。© OpenStreetMap contributors、ODbL) (retrieved October 11, 2026)
How we cite sources and use map data is explained in Sources and map data. Most sources are in Japanese.
Read before you drive
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