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This is Bitchu matsuyama jo (備中松山城). I guess it is on of those castle in Japan that is rarely visited by any tourist. It is suppose to be the highest castle in Japan and not very accessible. We had to climb quite a distance to get there. The lady at the tourist information counter outside the JR station was actually suprise that we were going to this castle. This is suppose to be a original castle. Many parts were still original but it was repaired after WWII if I remember correctly after many many years of neglect. There are exhibits in the main castle tower. the view up there is superb but very difficult to pin down on camera.

Explore jmentzer92's photos on Flickr. jmentzer92 has uploaded 1446 photos to Flickr.

Explore jmentzer92's photos on Flickr. jmentzer92 has uploaded 1446 photos to Flickr.

Explore jmentzer92's photos on Flickr. jmentzer92 has uploaded 1446 photos to Flickr.

Just a short taxi ride from the town of Bitchu-Matsuyama is this impressive structure.

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle in Okayama Prefecture is one of the 12 "original" surviving castles in Japan, and at an elevation of 430m on the summit of Mt. Gagyu, it is also the highest. The original castle on this site was built in 1330, while the castle in its present form was built in the late 16th century. All that remains of those structures are the castle keep, turret, and a section of wall.