Another great place to admire the view of the sea of clouds is Mt.Yataka (弥高山). Even taller than Mt. Komatsu, at 654 meters above sea level, the sea of clouds continues further across the horizon to the distant mountains of the Shikoku region. As with Bitchū Matsuyama Castle, your best chance to see the sea of clouds is in October and November.
The summit of Mt. Yataka is on the grounds of Yatakayama Park (弥高山公園). Within the huge 17-hectare park grounds, there are around 10,000 azalea trees of 14 different types that usually start blooming in early April and last all the way till mid-May (*’▽’).
In June, the hydrangeas entertain the park visitors. The autumn foliage season starts in late October and peaks from early to mid-November.
Accommodation Facilities at Yatakayama Park
The sea of clouds is great to see in person. But adding the sunrise into the picture makes the view more magnificent!
That is why the park provides a range of accommodation facilities for you to choose from (^_-)-☆. Whether you prefer to camp overnight or want something more comfortable such as a villa, they can accommodate all your needs!
Please note that payments are payable for all their accommodation facilities when you check in. Please note it is cash-only at the moment.
To book, please give them a call at +81-866-48-2830. You can also fill in their online inquiry form HERE. They should reply with their availability. However, you will still need to call to confirm your booking.
HERE is the park’s map. Whilst in Japanese, it should give you some idea of where the below facilities are located.
- S stands for shower
- T stands for toilet
- W stands for water fountain
- C stands for cooking facility
Apart from the list below, HERE is a list of items that can be rented from the park’s administration office. As the website is in Japanese, please translate it by using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar. If you still have queries about the list of items, you can contact us HERE, and we will get back to you.
Important: If you want to cook, please bring your own ingredients.
The Five Campsites in Yatakayama Park
There are a total of five different campsites for you to choose from.
- Akamatsu Campsite (アカマツオートキャンプ場): The campsite is fully equipped with AC power with a shower facility close by. There is also space for you to park your car next to the tent.
- Azalea Campsite (ツツジキャンプ場): There is a large lawn area in front of the site. In spring, the azalea flowers will bloom in front of you.
- West Campsite (西オートキャンプ場): The quietest campsite in the park with AC power. It is possible to drive in a camper.
- Sakura Campsite (サクラ上キャンプ場): The most popular campsite as it has the best view. It faces south, and the entire site is covered with a lawn. There is also a kid’s playground next to the site.
- Satsuki Campsite (サツキキャンプ場): The biggest campsite in the park is located in the grove.
The check-in time is 12 pm, and please check out by 12 pm the following day. One cooking and one toilet facility are available at each of the campsites.
Below is a list of charges you may incur:
- 400 yen will be charged for each person camping at the park’s campsites
- Renting a tent: 2,500 yen
- B.Y.O. tent: 1,000 yen
- B.Y.O. tarp: 1,000 yen
- Camping with a camper: 2,000
- Electricity charges: 500 yen per equipment
- Shower facility: 100 yen/3 mins
Other Accommodation Facilities
Check-in is at 3 pm, and please check out by 10 am the next day for the below facilities.
- Lodge (ロッジ): It is a Japanese-style guesthouse type of facility that has a TV, air conditioner, and Japanese futon bed (note if you prefer a soft mattress, a futon may not be suitable).
- 3,300 yen per adult and 2,500 yen for anyone from the age of 4 up to junior high school students
- 1,100 yen extra per person will be charged in winter between November and March
- Booking is required for a minimum of two people and 3 days in advance.
- Cooking is to be done at the facility at the campsite.
- 3,300 yen per adult and 2,500 yen for anyone from the age of 4 up to junior high school students
- Villa (別荘): it is Western-style on the ground floor, and the upstairs bedroom is Japanese-style (meaning Japanese futon bed).
- The air conditioner is equipped in the living room only
- Villas that accommodate up to 8 people will cost 22,200 yen from April to October for up to 6 people (22,800 yen from November to March). Additional guests are charged at 1,200 yen or 1,300 yen from November to March
- Villas that accommodate up to 6 people will cost 14,800 yen from April to October for up to 4 people (15,200 yen from November to March). Additional guests are charged at 1,200 yen or 1,300 yen from November to March
- 100 yen extra per person will be charged in winter between November and March
- Facilities in the villa: kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and amenities
- Bungalow (バンガロー): it is a Japanese-style lodge house
- Bungalow of the size of 8 tatami mats: 5,000 yen per bungalow
- Bungalow of the size of 6 tatami mats: 4,000 yen per bungalow
- Bungalow of the size of 5.5 tatami mats: 3,500 yen per bungalow
- 400 yen per person will be charged upon arrival in addition to the above bungalow rental fee
- There are no kitchen, bathroom, or toilet facilities in the bungalow. These facilities are located outside of the bungalows and are shared between all guests who stay in the bungalows
- Also, bedding isn’t included in the above fee, so it needs to be rented out separately
- Wash basins are available for bungalows of the size of 8 or 6 tatami mats. But please note there won’t be much water coming out of the faucet from November to March as it freezes.
- House (山の家): it is a big house that can accommodate 10 – 20 people that has 3 bedrooms each of different sizes (one 10 tatami mats room and two 6 tatami mats room)
- 1,800 yen per adult and 1,600 yen per child that are between the age of 4 to middle school students
- You have to have at least 10 people to book this facility
- Only the 10 tatami mat-sized rooms come with an air conditioner
- Japanese-style futons will be provided
- You will have to share the toilet and shower facilities located outside of the house with the others.
- There is a kitchen in the house, but there won’t be any cooking equipment.
How to Get to Yatakayama Park
From JR Bitchū-Takahashi Station (備中高梁駅), it is a 50-minute drive.
It is really inconvenient to take public transport to Yatakayama Park. You will have to take a bus from either JR Okayama Station (岡山駅) or JR Bitchū-Takahashi Station (備中高梁駅) and get off at Kawakami Bus Center (川上バスセンター). Then, change for bus services bound for Yatakayama and Takayama City (弥高山・高山市行き) and get off at Yatakayama Iriguchi (弥高山入口).
Discover Where else to Go Close to Yatakayama Park
Takahashi (高梁市) City, where the Mt. Yataka is located, is a great place for anyone after some stunning sea of cloud pictures. Within the city, it has not one but two spots where you have a high chance of capturing the stunning weather phenomenon.
Find out more about the other spot where you might even have a sunrise over the sea of clouds with our Takahashi City article!
