Takahashi City and the Amazing Sea of Clouds View

Bitchū Matsuyama Castle is most famous for its view of it floating eerily in the sky.

When the cloud shrouds the rest of the mountain below the Castle, a fantasy painting of a castle floating in the sky is complete (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.

The phenomenon happens due to the significant temperature variations from the early morning to the late afternoon. From late September till early April, you will have a chance to see this breathtaking view.

The Konya River (紺屋川) used to be the outer moat of Bitchū Matsuyama Castle. During the cherry blossom season, from early to mid-April, the cherry trees on both sides of the river make this spot a must-visit after your adventure to Bitchū Matsuyama Castle (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.

It is a 15-minute walk from JR Bitchū-Takahashi Station (備中高梁駅).

Raikyū-Ji Temple and its surrounding garden were completed back in 1339. The Zen Buddhism Temple’s garden is especially famous because it represents the garden style of the late Azuchi–Momoyama period (1568 – 1600) to the early Edo period (1600 – 1868).

Even if you are a complete novice without any gardening knowledge, it isn’t hard to tell how much work has been put in to maintain this National Scenic Spot. Even every little pebble on the ground is specially arranged in a nice pattern!

• The temple and the garden are open from 9 am to 5 pm daily
• The admission fee is
  • 400 yen for adult
  • 200 yen for high school students
  • Free otherwise
• From Bitchū-Takahashi Station (備中高梁駅), it is a 15 to 20-minute walk

From the city center of Takahashi, if you continue traveling in a northwest direction deep into the mountain up to the plateau, which is 500 meters above sea level, the Fukiya Furusato Village will suddenly appear in front of you.

The village that prospered as a Bengala dye mecca in the Edo period is a great destination for those who hold an interest in the dyeing and mining industry!

For more information, please refer to our article on Fukiya Furusato Village.

The residence was built between 1704 to 1715. It is located about 4 km from the Fukiya Furusato Village. Judging by the grand scale of the house, it isn’t hard to see that copper mining was very profitable for the family.

In the Edo period, the family also played the role of the magistrate. They assisted the Tokugawa shogunate in governing the local areas. Unlike the Hirokane Residence, Nishie Residence has military-related facilities such as a training ground!

• The residence is open from 10 am to 4 pm from Thursday to Sunday. It is closed from the end of December to the beginning of January.
• Reservations are essential to visit the residence. To book, please fill in the web form HERE. Please note the guided tours are in Japanese.
  • The Guided tour costs between 1,650 yen and 2,200 yen, depending on the date of your visit. The tour cost includes the admission fee and comes with tea and sweets. The tour will take 90 minutes.
• Coming from JR Bitchū-Takahashi Station (備中高梁駅), take the bus bounds for Sakamoto and get off at Sakamoto (坂本). The residence is then a 50-minute walk.

Another great place to admire the view of the sea of clouds is Mt.Yataka. 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.

In addition to the fantastic scenery created by clouds, the park at the mountain’s summit is a great place to adore azaleas, hydrangeas, and the fall foliage.

Moreover, the park is equipped with varies types of accommodation facilities!

Okayama Prefecture, also known affectionately by the Japanese people as the country of sunshine, has other stunning places close to Takahashi city that await your visit!

Find out more about where else to go with our Sōja City Article (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.