What other travelers are saying about Mt. Tomisu Park, Ozu
Every May, my family and I go to see the azaleas 🌺♪
The entire mountain is a park, and the scenery is amazing❗️
This year, it was Golden Week, so the area was packed with people and cars.
The azaleas are truly beautiful, and it's a wonderful memory🎵
The optimal time to visit is from late April to early May when over 63,000 azalea trees are in full bloom, creating stunning pink landscapes across the mountainside. During this period, the park hosts special azalea festivals with evening illuminations. However, the park remains open year-round and offers pleasant hiking and panoramic views in other seasons as well.
Take a JR express train from Matsuyama bound for Uwajima and get off at Ozu Station, which takes approximately 40 minutes. From Ozu Station, the park is about 10 minutes away by car or taxi. Parking is available at Ozu Civic Hall and nearby lots for those driving directly to the park.
No, admission to Mt. Tomisu Park is completely free. Visitors can explore the 130-hectare park, hike to the summit, and enjoy the azalea displays without any entrance charge, making it an accessible attraction for all travelers.
Yes, the park is accessible by bicycle all the way to the 320-meter summit, making it suitable for families and casual visitors. Cars can also access upper areas of the park. This accessibility sets it apart from many mountain parks that require extensive hiking to reach viewpoints.
From the summit observation decks, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the Ozu Basin and the Hijikawa River winding through the valley below. The mountain's resemblance to Mt. Fuji has earned it the local nickname "Ozu Fuji." On clear days, the views extend across the surrounding Ehime countryside, providing excellent photo opportunities.
This park surrounds the peak of the 319m-high mountain, named Mount Fuji, because its shape resembles Mount Fuji when viewed from downtown Ozu. Incidentally, Mount Fuji is pronounced "Tomisuyama," not "Fujisan."
The park is covered entirely in azaleas, so the best time to visit is from mid-April to early May, when the flowers bloom. Looking up from downtown, Mount Fuji looks spectacular, covered in pink and white flowers, just like the peak of Mount Fuji is covered in white snow.
There are several parking lots, but the western slope, which has fewer parking spaces, is more popular, so you'll want to reserve a spot early.
You can see the entire Ozu cityscape from the peak, and the sparkling Hijikawa River is particularly beautiful in the evenings.
Regarding the park, the swings and dragonfly playground equipment on the left side of the entrance were prohibited from use, but the other playground equipment seemed to be OK. It's a fairly large park and seems like a good place to bring children, but there was a warning sign at the entrance to the path to the peak on the other side of the park warning of wild boars, so it's probably best to be careful not to bring any food with you.
I've always wanted to go there every time I drive along the Ozu Road.
The road to the park is quite winding, but it is paved with asphalt and is wide, and there is a large parking lot. However, I went on a weekday before the holidays, so it may not be enough during busy seasons.
I took the promenade from the parking lot to the top and then went around the observation deck, and it took nearly an hour to see the whole thing. There are four toilets and benches scattered here and there, so even elderly people don't have to worry.
The azaleas seemed to have passed their peak, but they were still in full bloom in some places, which was magnificent.
I visited on May 10, 2023, wondering if the azaleas were still in bloom. However, they had already finished blooming. However, the view was amazing, so I'll call it OK.
