2025 Takahashi Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

I stayed at Takahashi International Hotel in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture! It was very clean, the room was spacious, and it was very comfortable. There were only the bare minimum amenities, so I recommend bringing your own! It was also cheap, so it was good value for money! #NationalTravelSupport #ValueForMoneyHotel #Takahashi

Tourist Spot: The Japanese Heritage "Town of Bengala" in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture. Once famous as the birthplace of Japan Red, the beautiful copper-colored townscape has been preserved. The highlight is the large-scale former Fukiya Elementary School building, a wonderful piece of modern wooden architecture! The copper-colored roof stands out against the clear blue sky. You can experience local heritage through experiences such as Bengala dyeing, so be sure to come and visit! Address: 838-2 Fukiya, Naruha-cho, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture #WesternJapan #OkayamaPrefecture #TakahashiCity #Bengala #JapaneseHeritage

🏖️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.

This 11-day trip to Shikoku, Japan, started from Osaka. All flights and hotels were booked seamlessly through Trip.com, offering a quick and easy booking process. Additionally, all hotels provided free cancellation, greatly enhancing the flexibility and peace of mind for the trip. Shikoku has become a new travel hotspot in Japan in recent years, especially popular for self-driving tours. It allows travelers to deeply experience the natural beauty and immerse themselves in the local culture. On April 12th, we departed from Hong Kong and arrived at Kansai International Airport. From there, we took the Nankai RAPIT Express directly to Osaka city center. The first night was spent at Sanrriott Shinsaibashi, conveniently located near restaurants and shopping malls. On the second day, we indulged in shopping at Shinsaibashi, enjoyed crab dishes at Dotonbori, and admired the light art at teamLab Botanical Garden in the evening. The third day coincided with the second day of the Expo 2025 Osaka opening. We specifically planned a visit to explore the China Pavilion, Gundam Pavilion, and Japan Lifestyle Pavilion, experiencing the cultural features and cutting-edge technologies of different countries firsthand—it was truly impressive. On the fourth day, we reserved a full day to enjoy Universal Studios Japan. We pre-purchased Fast Passes for Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World through Trip.com. Although the price was slightly higher than regular tickets, it saved us from long queues. Popular attractions like Super Mario were easily accessible, making the experience more enjoyable and time-efficient. On the fifth day, we drove for two hours from Osaka to Suzuka Circuit. We had already purchased Suzuka Circuit experience tickets via Trip.com. Driving a small race car on the actual F1 track, even at a maximum speed of only 40 km/h, was an unforgettable experience. The sense of speed and immersion gave us a taste of what it feels like to be an F1 racer. In the following days, we continued our self-driving tour across Shikoku. Strawberry picking on Awaji Island was particularly memorable—not only could we pick strawberries ourselves, but we also enjoyed fresh strawberries with hot coffee right in the strawberry field, which was incredibly relaxing. We then headed to Kotohira Onsen and stayed at the newly opened Oyado Shikishima-kan. The highlight was the four free private baths available for reservation, allowing us to fully enjoy the hot spring experience. Later, we visited the Cloud Edge Temple Mountain Park, where the Sky Swing and Sky Frame are must-tries. The panoramic view from the mountaintop was breathtaking and romantic, perfect for taking photos. We also explored Oboke Gorge and the Double Vine Bridges of Iya Valley, marveling at Shikoku's magnificent gorges and pristine forest landscapes. At Matsuyama Castle, visitors could dress up in samurai costumes for free and take photos, fully immersing themselves in the local historical and cultural atmosphere. For accommodation near Dogo Onsen, we chose the newly opened Furuyu-en Haruka Ryokan, located right behind the Dogo Onsen Honkan. The ryokan offered modern and comfortable facilities, and the quality of the hot springs was excellent. As for the legendary bathhouse in "Spirited Away," which was inspired by Dogo Onsen, it is actually just a regular hot spring. There's no need to pay for entry; taking photos outside is sufficient. Lastly, we visited Ryugado Cave, one of Japan's three major limestone caves. The stalactite formations inside were spectacular and mysterious, leaving a lasting impression. In the final days, we went on a shopping spree at Kobe Mitsui Outlet and returned to Osaka to continue enjoying various local delicacies. All arrangements for the trip were effortlessly completed through Trip.com, making last-minute changes and flexible adjustments incredibly convenient. Trip.com has become my go-to platform for booking tickets and accommodations for future travels. Shikoku's natural scenery and cultural charm are absolutely worth a visit.

#springitinerary Fukiya Furusato Village is one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a totally different era. Tucked away in the mountains of Okayama, this little village is famous for its bright red rooftops, thanks to the old-school bengara dye that was made here back in the day. The whole town has this peaceful, nostalgic vibe, like walking through a living postcard. The streets are lined with preserved traditional houses, cute shops, and little museums that show off the town’s copper mining and dyeing history. It’s quiet, super photogenic, and has just enough quirky charm to keep things interesting. Not many tourists make it out here, so you get to enjoy it without the crowds. It’s the perfect day trip if you’re into slow travel, cool local history, and just want to chill somewhere beautiful and unique. Definitely a hidden gem worth checking out!

#springitinerary Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is seriously one of the coolest hidden gems in Japan. It’s the highest-altitude original castle in the country, and getting there is half the fun, you hike up through peaceful forest trails, and then boom, this amazing old-school fortress appears. If you’re lucky and come on a misty morning, the castle literally looks like it’s floating in the clouds. It’s super dreamy and totally Instagram-worthy. The castle itself is small but full of charm, with wooden interiors and epic views from the top. Since it’s not super touristy, it feels like you’re discovering a secret piece of history. The hike isn’t too tough, and the peaceful vibe makes it all worth it. It’s perfect for history lovers, nature fans, or anyone wanting something a little different. Trust me, cloud castle vibes hit different. Bitchu Matsuyama is an unforgettable little adventure.

#Spring0yenTrip I walked to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle from Bitchu Takahashi Station. It was a bit of an uphill walk from the station, but I enjoyed the journey. Along the way, the streets unfolded leisurely, and I was able to walk while feeling the local atmosphere. Along the way, I saw small shrines and historical buildings, and I felt that the scenery was gradually getting closer to the mountains. The last part of the walk was a bit steep, but after taking breaks along the way, I finally saw the entrance to the castle. Walking made the journey to the castle feel even more impressive. When I reached the castle tower, the surrounding scenery was magnificent, especially on a sunny day.

#Domestic Travel Strategy Okayama Prefecture is surrounded by the Seto Inland Sea and the Chugoku Mountains, and is known as the "Sunny Land Okayama" because of its warm climate and many sunny days. Retro townscapes such as Korakuen, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter remain. If you are planning a trip to Okayama, please read to the end and use this as a reference for sightseeing efficiently. 🔸Area: Okayama, Kurashiki, Takahashi, Soja, Tsuyama ─────────────────────── 🔸Time required: 2 days ─────────────────────── 🔸Transportation: Train, rental car, bus, walking ─────────────────────── This time, we visited 7 spots. Day 1 9:00 Okayama Station ↓ ↓ 🚃About 17km, about 20 minutes ↓ 　9:20 Kurashiki Station ↓ ↓ 🚶About 900m About 15 minutes ↓ ❶ 9:40 Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter ↓ ↓ Kurashiki Station → Okayama Station 🚃 About 17km About 20 minutes ↓ Okayama Station → Okayama Castle 🚌🚶 About 2km About 25 minutes ↓ ❷ 13:30 Okayama Castle ↓ ↓ 🚶 About 550m About 8 minutes ↓ ❸ 15:00 Korakuen ↓ ↓ 　　17:00 Hotel 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter 📍Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, 710-0046 Okayama Castle 📍2-3-1 Marunouchi, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, 700-0823 Okayama Korakuen 📍1-5 Korakuen, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, 703-8257 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 Day 2 8:00 Okayama Station ↓ ↓ Rental car🚗About 50km About 1 hour (toll road) ↓ From Fuigo Pass Parking Lot (5th station of Gagyuyama) to the castle tower ↓ 🚶About 700m About 20 minutes ↓ ❶ 9:30 Bitchu Matsuyama Castle Ruins ↓ ↓ 🚗About 34km About 1 hour ↓ ❷ 11:30 Oninojo Castle ↓ ↓ 🚗About 13km About 30 minutes ↓ ❸ 13:00 Bitchu Takamatsu Castle ↓ ↓ 🚗About 87km About 1.5 hours (toll road) ↓ ❹ 15:30 Tsuyama Castle ↓ ↓ 🚗 About 61km About 1.5 hours ↓ 　　18:00 Return rental car 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 Bicchu Matsuyama Castle 📍1 Yamashita, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, 716-0004 Oni Castle Ruins 📍Soja City, Okayama Prefecture, 719-1101 Bicchu Takamatsu Castle Ruins 📍558 Takamatsu, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, 701-1335 Tsuyama Castle 📍708-0022 135 Yamashita, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁 #Okayama #domestictravel #solotravel #castle

#japantrip Fukiya Furusato Village in Okayama Prefecture is a hidden gem that transports visitors back to Japan’s Edo period. Known for its distinctive Bengala-red buildings, created with natural iron oxide pigment, the village exudes a unique charm. Once a hub for copper mining and Bengala production, the village preserves its historical legacy with attractions like the old copper mine, Bengala workshops, and traditional merchant houses. Walking along its quiet streets, surrounded by mountains, feels like stepping into a bygone era. Visitors can enjoy hands-on activities, such as dyeing fabric with Bengala, and sample local delicacies. Seasonal highlights like autumn foliage make Fukiya even more picturesque.

#japantrip Fukiya Furusato Village, located in Okayama Prefecture, is a charming historic town known for its traditional red Bengala-painted buildings. Once a thriving center for copper mining and Bengala dye production, it now preserves its Edo-period atmosphere with beautifully restored streets and wooden houses. Visitors can explore the town’s heritage through sites like the former copper mine, dye workshops, and local museums. Surrounded by lush hills, the village offers a tranquil retreat and stunning scenery, particularly in autumn. Unique crafts, traditional sweets, and workshops on Bengala dyeing provide hands-on experiences. Fukiya Furusato is a delightful blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

DAY 40: Bitchu Matsuyama Castle has a long history. It dates back to the Kamakura period when it was a castle on Mt. Omatsuyama. It was built on the top of Mt. Wagau at an altitude of 430 meters. It is the only mountain castle tower in Japan. Its unique castle structure cleverly uses the natural granite and wood structure from Mt. Wagau. The tower, turret and earth wall that have been preserved since the Edo period are all listed as important cultural heritage sites designated by the country. If the climate and humidity are suitable, you may even be able to see the "Sky Castle" floating on the sea of ​​clouds. The current cat lord, Sanji Yuuro, is a very cute orange cat. This time we were lucky enough to meet the lord himself. Walking around the castle, we could also see many cat lord-related products and standees. In the afternoon, we will go to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, a beautiful town full of history and art. There are white-walled old houses, rows of willow trees, traditional blocks that retain century-old houses, and quiet canals. A small boat slowly approaches, followed by waves, which create ripples on the mirror-like river surface. There are rows of drooping willow trees along the coast. The street scenes created by traditional buildings and the retro-modern scenery along the Kurashiki River are unforgettable. Transportation: Take the JR Hakubi Line from Okayama Station and get off at Bitchu-Takahashi Station (¥860). After exiting the station, take the city loop bus to the trailhead (¥170). The distance from the trailhead to the castle tower is about 1.5 kilometers. The entrance ticket is ¥500. There are also common packages available on site (¥1000 for three buildings and ¥1500 for five buildings). Attractions: Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, Samurai Residence, Kurashiki Mitsui Outlet, Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, Hojuzan Kanryuji Temple, Tsurugatayama Park, Achi Shrine, Achi no Fuji, Kami-no-Machi Kita Clock Tower Accommodation: The One Five Okayama, Okayama City Today's cycling distance: 0 km Cumulative cycling mileage: 2120 km #Japan #FourCountries #Shikoku Pilgrimage #Shikoku Pilgrimage #Seto Inland Sea #Shikokudisease #Tokushima #Awa Spiritual Field #Kochi #Tosa Sacred Ground #Ehime #Sanuki Sacred Ground #Kagawa #Iyo Sacred Ground #BicycleTravel #Two people walking together #Kobo Daishi #Namo Master Universal Illumination Vajra #Shikoku Pilgrimage 88 #Gohenro #Shimanami Kaido #Shodoshima #Setonaikai National Park #Don't ask me how much the trip costs #Ask yourself how many years of youth you have left #japan #tokushima #kochi #ehime #takematsu

#castle Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, also known as Takahashi Castle, is located at the foot of a mountain in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture. It is a designated historic site in Japan and one of the 100 famous castles in Japan. Bitchu Matsuyama Castle was built in 1240 (Kamakura period) and is one of the 12 remaining castle towers in Japan. Its wooden tower, double-story turrets and earthen walls are listed as important cultural properties. It is 430m above sea level and has been a fortress since ancient times. In the past, it was specially built on the mountain to defend against enemies and to prevent them from being attacked. On the trail leading to the castle tower, the observation platform that was used as a relay station in the past is preserved. There is no trail built along the entire mountain road, and the irregular stone steps show the long historical atmosphere. Above the Otemon Gate is the castle tower. The solid granite of Mount Woniu has successfully defended it from enemy attacks for hundreds of years. The space of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is maintained as it was in the past. Unlike other castle towers that were rebuilt after fire, weapons and books are displayed. The stairs leading to the castle tower are very steep. The only way to take photos of the "Castle in the Sky" scene that is often seen on Okayama Prefecture's tourism posters is to drive yourself. If you just want to visit Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, you can take the JR limited express to Bitchu Takahashi Station, then take a tourist shared taxi for about 15 minutes. Another interesting thing is that the lord of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle was a cat named "Sanjuro" (さんじゅーろー), who was very popular.

I am very grateful to EVA Air for giving me the tickets to Matsuyama Castle and the cable car ticket, which allowed me to experience this guided tour of Matsuyama Castle. I didn’t expect Songshan Castle to be so high. The city view is so beautiful, it’s really refreshing. When you enter Songshan Castle, take off your slippers first, then put on the prepared shoes. The scent of wood and cool breeze greet you, which feels very comfortable. The interior decoration is very clean and tidy, and it has a sense of time. After the tour, of course you have to taste the orange juice and ice cream sold here to end this wonderful day. Matsuyama Castle is really worth visiting ~ it's so beautiful. #Songshan Cable Car #Matsuyama Castle

#JapanTravelMemories Bicchu Matsuyama Castle is a Japanese mountain castle located in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, and is one of the few castles with a surviving castle tower. Its greatest feature is that it is a "mountain castle" located at an altitude of 430 meters above sea level, and it is also known as the highest surviving castle tower in Japan. For this reason, it is also known as "Takahashi Castle". The history of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle dates back to the Kamakura period, when it was first built by the local powerful Akiba clan, and then during the Sengoku period, it passed into the hands of many daimyo, including the Mori clan and the Ukita clan. During the Edo period, the Ikeda clan and the Ishikawa clan became the castle owners, and they established the castle as a modern castle. In particular, the castle tower and two-tiered turret that remain today were rebuilt during the Edo period and are designated as important cultural properties. Another attraction of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is that it is known as a "castle floating in a sea of ​​clouds". In the early morning from autumn to winter, when the conditions are right, the castle is enveloped in a sea of ​​clouds, creating a fantastic sight as if it were floating in the air. This "Bitchu Matsuyama Castle floating in the sea of ​​clouds" is a very popular moment for photography enthusiasts and tourists. In addition, the castle is surrounded by abundant nature, and you can enjoy the scenery of each season. You can enjoy different beauty in every season, such as cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves, and snowy scenery in winter. You can get to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle by walking up the mountain path from the foot of the mountain, or by taking a shuttle bus halfway up. The magnificent castle tower that appears at the end of the steep mountain path is a spot that gives you a sense of accomplishment. If you are interested in history and castles, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is a must-visit place. When you visit Okayama Prefecture, why not spend a special time at this beautiful mountain castle, feeling the history and nature of Japan?

#FuriTabi Tenchuzan Raikyu-ji Temple is one of the Ankoku-ji temples that Ashikaga Takauji ordered to be built in various provinces. The garden within, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty, was created in the early days of Kobori Enshu, the magistrate of Bitchu Province (around 1605), and is a Horai-style dry landscape garden. Commonly known as the "Tsurukame Garden," this famous garden has Mount Atago in the distance as a backdrop, with ripples in the sand giving it an oceanic feel, and two islands, a crane and a turtle, placed in the middle. The background is further shaped by large prunings of azalea that represent the waves of the ocean. This gorgeous large pruning is unique to Enshu.

#FuriTabi #BicchuMatsuyamaCastle #OkayamaTourism A "mountain castle in the sky" floating in a sea of ​​clouds BicchuMatsuyama Castle, built near the summit of Mt. Gagyu at an altitude of 430m, is the only mountain castle in Japan with a castle tower still standing. It is one of 12 castles still standing, and the castle ruins have been designated as a national historic site, and parts of the castle tower, two-story turret, and earthen walls, which were renovated during the Edo period, have been designated as important cultural properties by the nation.

On the way to the castle, we encountered heavy rain and thunderstorms. The road to the castle is narrow, and there are places where it seems impossible to avoid a car, so even in the rain, the staff will guide you by walkie-talkie. You have to walk up from the parking lot, but there are a lot of steep stairs, so be careful with your shoes, such as sneakers. After walking for about 20 to 30 minutes, we finally arrived. There are some good spots on the way, so we decided to take a break while looking at the castle town and then head down the mountain^^. #0 yen trip #Okayama sightseeing #Bicchu Matsuyama Castle #Travel with me

I went to Yui, an izakaya in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture! They had a wide variety of food, and it was very delicious! They also had Okinawan food, which was very delicious. It was a private room, so it was very comfortable. They had a wide variety of alcoholic drinks! Please go and check it out! #TakahashiCity #Okayama #Yui #NationalTravelSupport