Photo/Illutration The exterior of Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, which was remodeled from old houses and other structures (Provided by Kita Management)

OZU, Ehime Prefecture--Ozu earned the top spot in the Culture and Tradition category of the Green Destinations Story Awards, the first Japanese site to accomplish the feat.

The city was included in the top 100 list of sustainable destinations by the Netherlands-based international certification organization for the first time in 2022.

Representatives of Kita Management, an Ozu-based entity commissioned by city officials to submit the application, attended the awards ceremony held in Berlin on March 7 to receive the certificate.

The list is announced annually by Green Destinations, which evaluates sustainable tourism efforts in local areas.

Ozu was described as an excellent example of a community where the utilization of old houses and other historic resources has helped conserve the townscape and revitalized the local economy.

“(Ozu was) recognized for its efforts to utilize and conserve its townscape, as well as getting the economy moving and creating jobs,” said Kozo Takaoka, head director of Kita Management. “We are just getting started, and we will be put to the test from now on.”

Mayor Takahisa Ninomiya added, “We will continue to cherish the nature-rich environment, culture, history and climate of Ozu while working on tourism and community development to make the city a good place to live, visit and work.”

With its historical townscape, Ozu is often referred to as the “Little Kyoto" of the Iyo region. However, the city has battled a sluggish economy stemming from its declining population.

Kita Management and other organizations have been making efforts to restore a bustling atmosphere by remodeling vacant old houses into hotels and other facilities.

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