Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
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Bitchu Matsuyama Castle in Okayama Japan
About
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is one of only twelve remaining original Japanese Castles. Furthermore it is the oldest surviving original castle AND the only "Mountaintop Castle" among those remaining twelve original castles. The original castle was built by Akiba Shigenobu in 1240 AD on a nearby mountain, then in 1331 Takahashi Muneyasu decided to move and rebuild the castle on it's current site. The castle you see today was rebuilt and added on to by the Mizunoya Clan in 1683. The castle sits at an elevation of 430 meters (1,420 feet) which also makes it the highest elevation castle in Japan. Note that "Bitchu Matsuyama Castle" is a different castle than "Matsuyama Castle" which is another castle in Shikoku. It is a fairly small castle but what it lacks in size, it surpasses most other castles because of it's history.
During the time when Bitchu Matsuyama Castle was built, castles primarily server as "Defensive Fortresses" instead of a "Status Symbol" which was more common later on. Since "Defense" was the main goal of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, it was built as high as possible on steep mountains that were difficult to attack. If you visit the castle this will become immediately apparent as you will have to walk 20 or 30 min. up a hill from the closest parking lot, through ruined foundations and walls in order to reach the main keep. The Main Keep (or Tenshu in Japanese; 天守) at only two stories is not as high as you might see at most other Japanese Castle locations but this is because since it sits high up on a hill offering a great field of vision, a higher Tenshu was unnecessary. Inside the Tenshu there is now a museum wich explains the castles history including various renovation efforts.
Please visit our Japanese Castles page to find more castles in Japan.
Data
Name: Bitchu Matsuyama Castle (備中松山城 - Bitchu Matsuyama Jyou)
Original Year Built: 1331 (first castle on the site)
Type: Mountain Top 山城
Class: Medium Size Castle
Main Tower Size: 2 Stories
Features: Main Tower (Tenshu), Towers (Turrets), Gates, Bridges, Water Moats, Stone Walls, Castle Town
Condition: Original
Founder: Takahashi Muneyasu
Timeline
1240 - Fortifications and a smaller castle were built near the current castle.
1331 - The original fortifications were expanded and eventually a castle was built in the current site.
1575 - The Mori Clan takes control of the castle.
1868 - The forces loyal to the Shogunate surrender to Imperial forces at the castle during the Boshin War.
1871 - After the Meiji Restoration the castle was decommissioned.
1873 - The castle was abandoned.
1929 - Reconstruction to save the castle started and basic reconstruction completed.
1957 - Further reconstruction started and continues.
Access
Closest Train Station: Bichu-Takahashi
Takahashi
Takahashi, Okayama 716-0004 Japan
Listed by "Best to Worst" method
by Taxi
From Bitchu-Takahashi Station it takes 15 min. by taxi to the "Upper" parking lot and costs 1,500 yen.
by Takahashi Kanko "Shuttle Taxi"
This "Shuttle Taxi" runs only from March to November and will take you to the "Upper" parking lot. There are only 4 scheduled runs a day and you must make a reservation which you can make in advance or when you arrive at Bitchu-Takahashi Station. The cost is 430 yen one way.
by Car
It's a 15 min. drive from Bitchu-Takahashi Station. On weekdays you may park in the "Upper" parking lot but on weekends and holidays you must park in the "Lower" parking lot.
by Foot
From Bitchu-Takahashi Station it takes about an hour and a half to walk directly to the castle. However, if you are stopping at other attractions along the way, it could take much longer.
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Bitchu Matsuyama Castle.
Hours & Fees
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (until 4:30 p.m. October - March)
Closed: December 28 - January 3
Cost: Castle only: 300 yen, Castle + Raikyuji Temple + 2 samurai mansions and Takahashi Historical Museum: 900 yen
Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.
Resources
Website: Bitchu Matsuyama Castle Homepage
