
There are even futons for you to ‘sleep’ on!
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, something you should definitely include on your itinerary is a trip to a Japanese castle. With a variety of the historical landmarks dotted across the country, it might be hard to pick which ones to visit. Whether it’s the ‘Dog Mountain’ castle (where cats sometimes like to hang out too) or the literal ‘Castle in the Sky’, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to Japanese castles with over one hundred of them throughout the country.
One place that has a number of gorgeous castles is Ehime Prefecture. Taking two spots in the 2019 TripAdvisor castles ranking, Ehime boasts seven different castles for you to visit, including Ozu Castle, pictured below. Ozu castle is one of the first castles to be reconstructed using entirely wood.
And while you can’t actually stay at the castle itself, NIPPONIA Hotel is just a three minute walk away from Ozu Castle, making it the perfect place for castle fans to crash. But despite the Japanese government’s slightly ill-advised ‘Go To Campaign’, some people are still reluctant to travel too much, so NIPPONIA Hotel are now offering a virtual ‘Ozu Online Town Walk‘. Aimed at those who are unable or unwilling to travel because of coronavirus, you can walk around the castle town and enjoy the sights.
▼ You can try out the Ozu Online Town Walk here.
At first glance it might not look drastically different from a regular visit to Google Maps, but the Ozu Online Town Walk, which you can try out here, includes a virtual ‘Ozu Castle Online Stay‘. The inside of the castle has been carefully recorded using a 360° camera and uploaded so that anyone can ‘walk around’ inside. The creators recommend VR goggles for the full immersive experience, but they’re not required, and the program will work in any online browser.
▼ The Ozu Castle Online Stay layout. You can visit the castle yourself here.
▼ Sleep like a samurai in Ozu Castle. Hopefully the futons aren’t from thousands of years ago…
The company hopes that the experience will let people not just from Japan but from all over the world enjoy sightseeing safely, so no matter where you are, grab your pajamas and get ready for a virtual overnight stay!
Source: PR Times
Top image: PR Times
Insert images: PR Times, Ozu Castle Virtual Stay
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!



Looking for a hotel in Japan? Skip the ryokan and stay in this castle instead!
You can now hang out with Totoro and explore Studio Ghibli worlds in virtual reality
Top 20 castles to visit in Japan in 2017
Japanese house is actually a cheap hotel where you can stay for US$24 a night
Japanese homebuilder offers virtual reality tour of your new home while you’re still designing it
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Mister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
This Japanese 7-Eleven has the most expensive drinks, and item, we’ve even seen at the chain
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Foreign travelers arrested in Japan following smash-and-grab robbery in Tokyo shopping mall
Pizza Hut Japan creates moon-viewing sukiyaki chrysanthemum pizza for tsukimi season
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
You can now get physical with your virtual girlfriend thanks to Oculus Rift and a dubious pillow
Amazing photos of off-the-beaten-path Japanese castles to add to your travel wish list【Photos】
VR metaverse of Akihabara Station being made by JR East, netizens scoff at early quality
Staying at this Tokyo budget hotel feels like visiting your Japanese grandma’s house
Stay in a hotel in Japan where you can see a UFO
Japanese luxury hotel’s new month-long stay plan lets you live Yokohama life with amazing twist
Beautiful afternoon tea lounge lets you look at and eat Osaka Castle【Taste test】
Why stay at a hotel in Japan when you can rent this entire mountain instead?【Photos】
Japanese origami vending machine makes news around the country
Now you can become a cute virtual avatar with just the power of your voice
Cheap capsule hotel in Kyoto is open to everyone, comes with free all-you-can-drink alcohol
Stay in an eerie Japanese ryokan inn near Tokyo Tower for US$40 a night
Japan has a maid hotel you can stay in, and it’s now taking reservation applications
Cheap hotel beside cemetery at Kozukappara execution grounds in Tokyo is a scary place to stay
Japanese pot sticker restaurant chain also runs flat-rate hot spring inn, but is it worth staying at?