A complete guide to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle in the sky! A detailed explanation of how to get there by car, taxi, and bus!

• Table of contents
• Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is bustling during the sea of ​​clouds season
• Takahashi city is full of fascinating historical sites to explore!
• ①By car (from Kayo IC)
• ②By taxi (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)
• ③By city loop bus (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)
• ④ By rental car (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)
• ⑤Rental bike (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)
• ⑥ By chartered taxi (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)
• Conclusion

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is bustling during the sea of ​​clouds season

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is truly a mountain castle in the sky! From mid-October to March, you can see the breathtaking view of the existing castle tower and two-tiered turret floating in a sea of ​​clouds from the Unkai Observatory. It's also extremely popular as a castle where you can meet Sanjuro, the cat lord of the castle who lives in the main castle, and many tourists visit.

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

716-0004 1 Uchisange , Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture

It is the only mountain castle in Japan with a castle tower remaining, and is one of 12 castles with surviving castle towers from the Edo period. Huge rock walls over 10 meters high tower around the mountain castle, and it still has the appearance of an "impregnable castle." Recently, it has become a popular photo spot nationwide as a "mountain castle floating in the sea of clouds," and many fans visit from early in the morning during the season when the sea of clouds can be seen. If you want to take photos of the fantastical mountain castle scenery, head to the Unkai Observatory. Try to visit at dawn between September and April, when the sea of clouds appears.

Takahashi city is full of fascinating historical sites to explore!

Takahashi City, which is also a castle town, has many attractions other than the castle. It is dotted with places like Ishibiyacho Furusato, where samurai residences remain, Nekojo Sanjuro Footprint Museum, the scenic Konya Riverside district, and Raikyu-ji Temple, where a garden designed by Kobori Enshu remains. A little further away is Fukiya, the town of bengala, making it a city with Toyotomi of tourist attractions. While sightseeing is centered around the castle, be sure to check out the various convenient access methods for getting around the city before heading out.

①By car (from Kayo IC)

The closest highway interchange to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is Kayo IC on the Okayama Expressway. After exiting the highway, turn right and follow the road, passing under the loop bridge to arrive in Takahashi city. First, head to Shiromachi Station, where the shuttle bus to the castle departs. From here, you can take a castle bus to Fuigo Pass (8th station). From Fuigo Pass, it's about a 20-minute walk to the main castle tower.

*When the shuttle bus is not running, you can drive up to Fuigo Pass. Please follow the instructions of the staff as it is a one-way road.

[Castle Town Station (bus stop for Bitchu Matsuyama Castle )]

Address: 2730 Odakashitacho , Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture Prefecture

TEL: 0866-21-0461 ( Takahashi City Tourism Association)

Parking: Available

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle Climbing Bus (Shuttle Bus) Schedule

②By taxi (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)

The most convenient way to get there is by taxi from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station. If you tell the driver "To Bitchu Matsuyama Castle," you can be taken to Fuigo Pass at the 8th station, regardless of whether the shuttle bus is running. The journey takes about 10 minutes and costs approximately 1,700 yen one way. If you are traveling alone, a shared sightseeing taxi is recommended as it is economical (departure times are fixed and reservations must be made at least one day in advance. Reservations can be made at the Takahashi City Tourist Information Center. The fare is 1,000 yen per person).

For more information about Bitchu Matsuyama Castle sightseeing shared taxis, click here

③By city loop bus (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)

The Takahashi City Loop Bus (170 yen per ride) operates from the Takahashi Bus Center on the first floor of JR Bitchu Takahashi Station. Those wishing to climb the mountain should get off at the Matsuyama Castle Yamaguchi. It takes about 50 minutes to walk along the mountain path to reach the castle tower. This is recommended for those confident in their physical strength. The bus also stops at the Buke Yashiki Entrance and Raikujiguchi bus stops. It is about a 20-minute walk from the Buke Yashiki Entrance to Shiromachi Station, where the castle climbing bus departs and arrives.

④ By rental car (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)

We recommend renting the handy, ultra-compact electric vehicle "C+Pod" (two-seater) at Toyota Rent-A- Okayama Takahashi Ekimae Branch, located adjacent to the Takahashi Tourism Exchange Center, right near JR Bitchu Takahashi Station. If you purchase a "Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, Samurai Residences, and Raikyu-ji Temple Joint Ticket," you can rent the vehicle for just 4,000 yen, down from the usual 7,700 yen (campaign period: until December 28, 2024). It can also accommodate luggage and can be used for six hours, making it ideal for sightseeing around the city, including the castle tower of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. Of course, regular passenger cars are also available for rental.

[Toyota Rent-A-Lease Okayama Bitchu Takahashi Station Branch]

Address: 1335-7 Asahi , Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture

Business hours: 9:00-18:00

TEL: 0866-22-5566

Toyota Rental Lease Okayama Bitchu Takahashi Station Branch

716-0039 1335-7 Asahimachi , Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture

The Bitchu Takahashi Ekimae store is located about 100m down Ekimae Street from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station. Toyota Rent-A-Car Okayama has 10 stores in Okayama Prefecture, mainly around stations and airports, and offers a safe, secure, convenient and comfortable car rental system with an extensive lineup.

⑤Rental bike (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)

At the Takahashi City Tourism Exchange Center, located right next to JR Bitchu Takahashi Station, you can not only get information about Takahashi City , including Bitchu Matsuyama Castle and Fukiya, but you can also rent electric bikes, which are perfect for getting around the city. They are very maneuverable and convenient.

[ Takahashi City Tourism Exchange Center (Takahashi City Tourism Association)]

Address: 1335-7 Asahi , Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture

Business hours: 9:00-17:00

TEL: 0866-21-0461

Takahashi City Tourism Association Official Website

⑥ By chartered taxi (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)

The Takahashi City Tourist Taxi Service, which can be used without reservations or special procedures, is running until March 31, 2025. If you visit two or more tourist spots in Takahashi City, you will receive a direct discount of 2,000 to 10,000 yen off the regular charter fee, depending on the duration of use. To use the service, simply tell the taxi driver from either Bihoku Taxi Co., Ltd. or Pione Kotsu Co., Ltd. that you are "chartering a taxi for sightseeing purposes" when boarding. If you're lucky, you might even be able to ride the "Neko Castle Lord Sanjuro"!

[Contact details for chartered taxis]

Bihoku Taxi Co., Ltd. TEL: 0866-22-2086

Pione Transportation Co., Ltd. TEL: 0866-22-2755

For more information about the Takahashi City sightseeing taxi service, click here

Conclusion

(From Sanjuro, the Cat Castle Lord) There are various ways to get to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, so please choose a combination that suits your travel style.

Takahashi City Official Website