Bitchu Matsuyama Castle Audio Guide
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan’s 12 surviving original keeps and is famous as the…
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Overview
Overview
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan’s 12 surviving original keeps and is famous as the highest-altitude castle keep in the country. Perched on the summit of Mt. Gagyu (Komatsuyama), it has a long Sengoku history under clans such as the Mimura and Mori, and later connections to Kobori Enshu. Today, the beloved “cat lord” Sanjuro is also part of the castle’s charm.
Access
Access
By car, head to the Shiro-mibashi Park Parking Lot in Takahashi City from the Kayo IC area. On certain days, a shuttle bus operates for easier access; on days without it, you can drive up to Fuigo-toge Parking (around the 8th station) and then hike about 20 minutes to the main enclosure. Because access and traffic controls can change during busy times, checking local guidance beforehand is recommended.
Parking
Parking
There are two main options: Shiro-mibashi Park Parking (about 110 spaces), used for shuttle-bus days, and Fuigo-toge Parking (about 14 spaces), the closest lot, about a 20-minute walk from the keep. Roads can be narrow in places, so follow traffic directions and plan for congestion during peak periods.
Highlights
Highlights
The surviving keep and two-story turret, together with powerful stone walls, are the centerpiece. Views from the mountaintop feel worthy of the “castle in the sky” reputation, and misty conditions can be spectacular. Sanjuro’s signature pose is a fun bonus. The scenery even appeared in the opening of the 2016 NHK drama “Sanada Maru,” underscoring how photogenic the site is.
