Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The highest castle in Japan


At 430 meters above sea level, situated atop Mount Gagyu in Okayama, is Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, the highest castle in Japan. It overlooks Takahashi, and is also known as Takahashi Castle.


A castle was built here in 1331, but this later castle was built in 1683. It is one of the handful of original castles left in japan, and is the only Yamajiro (mountaintop castle) with a Tenshu (Keep)


After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the castle was abandoned and partially destroyed, but beginning in 1929 sections of the castle and its impressive fortifications have been repaired and restored.


The castle is open daily and there is a 300 yen entrance fee. Unless you are a castle freak, the most impressive thing is the views from the castle, and some of those I will post tomorrow.


The view is worth the climb. More posts on Japanese castles.



6 comments:

  1. I took many problems of speed as yours. They were due to two motives: - Pc with virus - Equipment(team) ADSL spoilt (modem) though still(yet) it was working. I expect you can solve your problems. To lose the time is to lose the life. That does not happen to you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I absolutely consider myself to be a castle freak, so I've enjoyed this post. I do like the pics but I'm guessing your camera is a bit old. No offence.

    I visited here in about 2002 but it was closed for renovations. I'll be back for sure.

    I hope you'll post more of about castles.

    Daniel

    ReplyDelete
  3. why do you think my camera is old?
    I do have a few more castles to post.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think the comment I made about your camera was definitely hasty. The photos are excellent and indeed the other photos on this site are just top notch. The lighting of a couple of these photos reminded me of an older camera of mine, that all.

    It's a really nice website that you've made.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have a cheap camera, but its new :)
    It was an overcast day.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I don't think it's just for "castle freaks". The castle is well worth it for anyone interested in authenticity and the experience is not at all touristy, which is another plus!

    It's much better than Osaka Castle and most of the other fake castles tourists usually flock to.

    ReplyDelete