Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is an impregnable mountain castle built on Mount Gagyu, about 430 meters above sea level. The castle tower is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is the only one of its kind among mountain castles that still exists today. Inside the castle, there are spaces that evoke the life of the time, such as rooms prepared for sieges and a large hall with a hearth, allowing you to feel the breath of history. In particular, the stone walls, which skillfully use the natural bedrock, are impressive and will overwhelm anyone with their grandeur.
The view of Takahashi city from the stone walls near the castle is also spectacular.

If the season and weather are right, you can see Bitchu Matsuyama Castle floating in a sea of ​​clouds like the ruins of Takeda Castle from the Omatsuyama Observatory, making it a true castle in the sky.

One thing to keep in mind when you go is that since it is a mountain castle, you can drive up to the 8th station, but from there it's a 20-minute walk up mountain paths and stairs, so you'll need to be reasonably fit.
Also, since it is a mountain castle and there are few parking lots, on Saturdays and Sundays you can take a shuttle bus from the 5th station to the 8th station.

Recently, Takeda Castle has become famous as a castle in the sky, but Bitchu Takamatsu Castle is higher in altitude and has a castle tower, and depending on the season and weather, it is said to be surrounded by a sea of ​​clouds.

Also, in Soja city, there is Kinojo, which is located at an altitude of 397 meters and is said to have been built during the Asuka period. The gates and other structures have been restored recently, but the stone walls and other structures from the time still remain.