Bitchu Matsuyama Castle: Spectacular View of the Sky Castle and Fantastical Mountain Castle Floating in Sea of Clouds

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle in Takahashi City, Okayama is a mountain castle built atop Mt. Komatsuyama at 430 meters elevation. Known as the highest-altitude castle among existing original castle towers, it is also called "the sky castle."

Autumn Sea of Clouds and "Sky Castle"

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle becomes particularly talked about for the "sea of clouds" scenery visible on autumn (October-November) early mornings. The fantastical scene of the castle's stone walls and keep emerging like an island from fog (sea of clouds) rising from Takahashi cityscape looks just like a castle floating in the sky. Many photographers gather at the sea of clouds viewing platform (Fuigo Pass) before dawn.

Value as an Existing Castle Tower

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle's tower was built in 1683 (Tenna 3) and is one of the 12 existing original castle towers. Though compact, the imposing two-story tower (current form is 2 stories) built on rugged bedrock has an impressive fortress-like structure.

Samurai Residences and Takahashi City

Castle town Takahashi City retains diverse historical buildings including samurai residences, merchant houses, and Christian churches. "Samurai Residence Ishibiya-cho" is an area concentrated with samurai residences, showing a unique landscape fusing with Meiji and Taisho era Western-style architecture.

Access

About 30 minutes by bus and shuttle bus from JR Hakubi Line Bicchu-Takahashi Station. About 30 minutes by limited express from Okayama Station.