Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

Okayama

Castles & Historic Sites

# Castle

# Scenic View

# Snowscapes

# Important Cultural Property

# Original Castle Keep

Close-up of one of the castle's turrets (yagura) with white walls and black wood, standing on a massive stone foundation.

The main castle buildings and connecting structures (Yagura) of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle on a stone wall, surrounded by lush green trees.

Steep stone walls and a stone staircase leading up to a white tsuiji wall on the mountain, surrounded by vibrant red and green autumn foliage.

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle floating above a sea of clouds, with surrounding hills visible in the background.

Key Points

Japan’s only surviving mountain castle with an original keep, dating back to the Edo era
Stunning “castle in the sky” views above the sea of clouds
Edo-period structures designated as Important Cultural Properties
Panoramic vistas of Takahashi City and surrounding mountains

Perched 430 meters up on Mt. Gagyu, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is Japan’s only surviving mountain castle with its original keep. Counted among the nation’s twelve surviving original castles, it still has Edo period structures like its two-story turrets and portions of earthen walls, which, together with the keep, are designated Important Cultural Properties.
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is nicknamed the “Castle in the Sky,” because on autumn mornings, when mist fills the valley below, the keep appears to float above a sea of clouds—a breathtaking sight best viewed from the nearby Unkai Observatory. Even on clear days, climbing to the castle itself will give you sweeping views of Takahashi City and the surrounding peaks.
Construction of the castle began in 1240 and was later expanded during the Sengoku and Edo periods (the current keep was reconstructed 1683), the castle has witnessed centuries of political and military history. Today, visitors can explore its stone walls, restored gates, and reconstructed turrets on the same mountain they once defended. The approach requires a bit of a hike, but the history, scenery, and atmosphere makes Bitchu Matsuyama Castle one of Japan’s most memorable fortresses.

Information

Spot information including address, access, and website
Address	1 Uchisange, Takahashi City, Okayama
Access from Tokyo	(1) From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Nozomi to Okayama Station (approx. 3 hr 15 min). (2) At Okayama Station, transfer to the Limited Express Yakumo to Bitchū-Takahashi Station (approx. 34 min). (3) From Bitchū-Takahashi Station, walk to the Takahashi Bus Center (approx. 1 minute). (4) From Takahashi Bus Center, take the bus (bound for Fukiya ) to Kawabatamachi Bus Stop (approx. 4 min). (5) From Kawabatamachi Bus Stop, walk to the Bicchu Matsuyama Castle (approx. 50 minutes). Show route from Tokyo Station
Website	https://www.bitchumatsuyamacastle.jp/en/
Official SNS Accounts
Note	No English service is available, but an English pamphlet is provided.