Japan's Three Great Mountain Castles: Bitchu Matsuyama Castle in Okayama

🏖️Overview: Bitchu Matsuyama Castle🏯 is the only "mountain castle" among the 12 existing castle keeps in Japan, making it unique as "the only mountain castle with a surviving keep☝️." It is built on Mount Gagyu⛰️, which stands at an elevation of approximately 430 meters at the northern edge of the city. During the Kamakura and Sengoku periods, it served as a "fortress for war⚔️," and in the Edo period, it became "a symbol of Bitchu Matsuyama," playing a central role in the region. The keep, two-story turret, and parts of the earthen walls, reconstructed during the Edo period, have been designated as Important Cultural Properties🫢 by the Japanese government. 💞Reasons to Visit: This time, I ventured to Mount Gagyu, where Bitchu Matsuyama Castle🏯 is located, in Okayama Prefecture. Despite the scorching heat🥵, the climb was surprisingly manageable. The castle itself is impressive, especially considering the effort it must have taken to build such extensive stone walls🪨 in such a remote mountain area. The existing keep is small but beautiful, making it a must-visit spot. Speaking of the castle, I noticed a cat🐈 named Sanjuro lounging around. 📍Location: 📮716-0004 1 Uchiyamashita, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture 📍Access: By train🚃: Take the JR Hakubi Line from JR Okayama Station to "Bitchu-Takahashi Station." From Bitchu-Takahashi Station, it’s about a 90-minute walk🚶 to reach the keep. 🕰️Opening Hours: (April to September) 9:00 AM–5:30 PM (October to March) 9:00 AM–4:30 PM Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.