Bitchu Matsuyama Castle 備中松山城

Often referred to as the "Mountain Castle in the Sky" because it seems to float magically above the cloud-covered mountains, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is extremely popular among castle enthusiasts.

Having been in a state of disrepair for many years, the buildings were restored through the efforts of the local community.

Begin your journey to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle from Okayama Station.

Take the Hakubi Line from Okayama Station to Takahashi Station. Then, take a cab from Bicchu Takahashi Station to the Fuigo Pass parking lot. From there, it is a 20-minute walk to the castle.

It takes a bit of effort to reach the main gate and slightly more to make it to the steps of the castle itself. Once you do, however, you will experience the thrill of a 360-degree panoramic view that includes both the natural landscape and a dramatic view of Takahashi City.

The castle consists of the main castle keep and an adjoining smaller structure; the keep offers the best view.

General admission is 500 yen, which gets you access to the castle and its grounds. Near the entrance there is a media room with a short movie on the Bitchu Matsuyama Castle's history.

The most popular photo of the castle is when the castle appears to float above a sea of clouds, taken from the nearby Bitchu Matsuyama Castle Unkai Observatory. The observatory can only be reached by car. From October to March, you can visit the observatory twice a day using a shared taxi service from Bitchu-Takahashi Station.

An additional treat for visitors is the area's population of Japanese macaques. Large groups of them gather at the base of the mountain. Don't get too close, though, since they are territorial and protective of their young.