A complete guide to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle in the sky | A detailed explanation of how to get there by car, taxi, and bus!
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Bitchu Matsuyama Castle Castle is known as the only mountain castle in Japan with a surviving castle tower at the top of a mountain at an altitude of about 430 meters. Below, we will introduce how to access the castle using various means of transportation.
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Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chuo of Western Japan, and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It is conveniently located halfway between famous tourist spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is also the gateway to Shikoku via the Great Seto Bridge. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and the fruits that grow in the warm climate of the Seto Inland Sea and sunshine are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-famous tourist spots such as Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which are renowned for their history, culture, and art!
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Table of Contents
- Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is bustling during the sea of clouds season
- Takahashi city is full of fascinating historical sites to explore!
- ① By car (from Kayo IC)
- ②By taxi (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)
- ③By city loop bus (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)
- ④By 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 around March, you can see the breathtaking view of the existing castle tower and two-tiered turret floating in the sea of clouds from the Unkai Observatory. It is also very popular as a castle where you can meet Sanjuro, the cat lord who lives in the main castle, and many tourists visit.
Takahashi city is full of fascinating historical sites to explore!
Takahashi city, which is also a castle town, has many other attractions besides the castle. Scattered around are the remains of samurai residences such as Ishibiyacho Furusato, Nekojoshu Sanjuro Footprint Museum, the scenic Konya Riversuji district, and Raikyu-ji Temple, which features a garden designed by Kobori Enshu. If you travel a little further, you'll also find the Bengala town of Fukiya, making this a town rich in tourist attractions. In addition to sightseeing centered around the castle, be sure to check out the various convenient access methods for getting around the city before heading out.
① By car (from Kayo IC)
The closest highway interchange to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is the Kayo IC on the Okayama Expressway. After exiting the highway, turn right and follow the road until you reach Takahashi city by going under the loop bridge. First, head to Shiromachi Station, where the shuttle bus to the castle departs. From here, you can take a castle climbing 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 organizing buses to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle )]
Address: 2730 Odakashitacho , Takahashi City, Okayama 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," he will take you to Fuigo Pass at the 8th station, regardless of whether the shuttle bus is running or not. The ride takes about 10 minutes and costs about 1,700 yen one way. If you are traveling alone, a shared tourist taxi is recommended as it is economical (departure times are fixed and reservations must be made at least one day in advance. Please make reservations at the Takahashi City Tourist Information Center. 1,000 yen per person).
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle sightseeing shared taxis
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. If you wish to climb the mountain, get off at the Matsuyama Castle Trailhead. It takes about 50 minutes to walk along the mountain path to reach the castle tower. This is recommended for those who are confident in their physical strength. The bus also stops at the Buke Yashiki Entrance and Raikyujiguchi bus stops. It takes about 20 minutes on foot from the Buke Yashiki Entrance to Shiromachi Station, where the castle climbing bus departs and arrives.
④By rental car (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)
Toyota Rental Car Okayama Bitchu Takahashi Ekimae Branch, located next to the Takahashi Tourist Exchange Center near JR Bitchu Takahashi Station, recommends renting the handy ultra-compact electric vehicle "C+Pod" (two-seater). If you purchase a "Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, Buke Yashikikan, and Raikyu-ji Temple Joint Ticket," you can rent it for 4,000 yen, instead of the usual 7,700 yen (campaign period: until December 28, 2024). It can also carry luggage and can be used for six hours, making it ideal for sightseeing in the city, including the castle tower of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. Of course, regular passenger cars are also available for rental.
[Toyota Rental Lease Okayama Bitchu Takahashi Station Branch]
Address: 1335-7 Asahimachi , Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00-18:00
TEL: 0866-22-5566
⑤Rental bike (from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station)
At the Takahashi City Tourist 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 maneuverable and very convenient.
[Takahashi City Tourism Exchange Center (Takahashi City Tourism Association)]
Address: 1335-7 Asahimachi , 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 making a reservation or going through any 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. Just tell the taxi drivers of Bihoku Taxi Co., Ltd. and Pione Kotsu Co., Ltd. that you are "chartering the car for sightseeing purposes" when you get in. 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 Cat Castle Lord Sanjuro) There are various ways to get to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, so please choose a combination that suits your travel style.
Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chuo of Western Japan, and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It is conveniently located halfway between famous tourist spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is also the gateway to Shikoku via the Great Seto Bridge. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and the fruits that grow in the warm climate of the Seto Inland Sea and sunshine are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-famous tourist spots such as Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which are renowned for their history, culture, and art!
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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