Moopon

Matsuyama Castle (松山城, Matsuyamajō), also known Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle to differentiate it from Matsuyama Castle in Shikoku, stands on a steep mountain north of Takahashi's town center.

It is the oldest surviving castle in Japan and the only mountaintop castle among the twelve original castles which have survived the post-feudal age intact. At an elevation of 430 meters it is also Japan's highest.Matsuyama Castle was originally constructed in 1240 when castles primarily served as defensive fortresses and, accordingly, were built on steep mountains that were difficult to attack.

They were not the great status symbols and administrative and cultural centers yet that castles became in the 16th century when the lords started to build them on more easily accessible hilltops and in the flatlands.
Even today, Matsuyama Castle is not easily accessed, and visitors must hike for about 20 minutes to reach the castle keep from the nearest parking lot.

The approach passes the ruined foundations of former castle structures and then leads through multiple successive circles of defense before reaching the innermost castle grounds and the castle keep.

Views over the town can be enjoyed from several points along the way, but not from the castle keep itself.Typical for mountaintop castles, Matsuyama Castle's keep is with only two stories relatively small.

Inside the keep there are displays explaining the history of the castle and the efforts to preserve it in Japanese, including interesting photographs about the big renovations of 1940, 1960 and 2003.

By car
On weekdays, cars can access the castle's upper parking lot from where it is a 20 minute walk to the castle. On weekends and holidays from March to late December, however, private cars are only allowed as far as the lower parking lot from where it is a 45 minute walk or five minute shuttle bus ride (300 yen round trip, departures every 15 minutes) to the upper parking lot.

By taxi
Take a taxi from Bitchu-Takahashi Station to the castle's upper parking lot (15 minutes, 1500 yen from the station) from where it is an additional 600 meter, 20 minute hike to the castle.
Alternatively, from March to November Takahashi Kanko operates four scheduled "shuttle taxis" per day between the station and the upper parking lot for 430 yen one way per person.
Reservations are required, but can be made upon arrival at the station.

By bus
Take the Youme Town Shuttle Bus (100 yen) or Takahashi City Loop Bus (160 yen) from the Takahashi Bus Center next to Bitchu-Takahashi Station to Matsuyamajo Tojoguchi or Matsuyamajo Tozanguchi bus stop respectively, from where it is a two kilometer, one hour climb to the castle.
 

On foot
It takes about 80 minute to walk all the way from Bitchu-Takahashi Station to Matsuyama Castle.
Hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (until 16:30 from October to March)
Closed: December 28 to January 4
Admission: 300 yen (castle only) 
900 yen (castle, Raikyuji Temple, two samurai mansions and Takahashi Historical Museum)
 

Located in a former guest house of Okayama Castle, the quaint and small Hayashibara Museum of Art focuses on collections of traditional Japanese art, including displays of folding screens, kimono, pottery and swords. The founders are the owners of a successful local business, the Hayashibara family.

Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (last entry is at 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, the museum is closed the following day) as well as during New Year holidays. There are irregular closures between exhibitions
New Year holidays and irregular closures between exhibitions
Admission: 500 yen (an additional fee may be needed for special exhibitions)
English Information: Limited

This samurai residence was built about 170 years ago. Visitors can view the main building, where some lifesize dolls are arranged to reenact daily life during the Edo Period. The gardens may also be viewed from the house.

Takahashi developed at the base of Matsuyama Castle into a thriving castle town of samurai, merchants and craftsmen. Some of the historic streets close to the castle have been preserved, and a few samurai and merchant houses have been restored and opened to the public. There are also temples and a few museums around town that display the local history and culture.

Note that a convenient, discounted combination ticket is available that provides tourists with admission to the castle, Raikyuji Temple, the two samurai residences and the Takahashi Historical Museum for 900 yen. Orii Samurai Residence
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 
Closed: December 29 to January 3 
Admission: 400 yen (half for children)

Momotaro Karakuri Museum

The story of Momotaro (Peach Boy) is one of the most famous legends in Japan, and it takes place in the region around Kurashiki. Although The Momotaro Museum is a museum dedicated to Momotaro, it is not just a museum of artifacts. While there are some old books and Momotaro artwork on display, the museum is also a fun display of optical illusions. The ticket salesperson will walk you through the first floor of the museum and show you the various tricks. It's fun and quite cute!
                                                    
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (extended hours during the summer) 
Closed: No closing days 
Admission: 600 yen(100yen for a 5 years old or less child)
No English Information

Korakuen is a beautiful landscape garden and Okayama's main attraction. Along with Kanazawa's Kenrokuen and Mito's Kairakuen, Korakuen is ranked as one of Japan's three best landscape gardens. It is located just beside Okayama Castle, which can be seen from the garden as "borrowed scenery".

The local feudal lord ordered the construction of Korakuen in 1687 as a place of entertainment for the ruling family and a location for receiving important guests. Occasionally, the public was permitted to enter the garden.
In 1884, a few years after the end of the feudal era, Korakuen became the property of Okayama Prefecture and was opened to the public. The garden suffered damage from floods in 1934 and bombing during the war, but it has always been restored to its original state thanks to the accurate records kept by the garden's designers.

Korakuen is a spacious garden that incorporates the typical features of a Japanese landscape garden, including a large pond, streams, walking paths and a hill that serves as a lookout point. Rather unique for a Japanese garden, however, are Korakuen's spacious lawns. Also found in the garden are groves of plum, cherry and maple trees, tea and rice fields, an archery range and a crane aviary.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Korakuen is about 1.5 kilometers or a 25-30 minute walk east of Okayama Station. Trams on the Higashiyama Line can be taken to Shiroshita stop (5 minutes, 100 yen, frequent departures) from where the garden's south gate can be reached in a 10-15 minute walk. Alternatively, a bus runs between Okayama Station and Korakuen-mae bus stop (20 minutes, 140 yen, every 15-25 minutes), which is located just beside the garden's main gate.

Note that there are two entrances to Korakuen: a main gate beside the Prefectural Museum and a south gate near the bridge that crosses to Okayama Castle.

  Hours: 7:30 to 18:00 (March 20 to September)
             8:00 to 17:00 (October to March 19)
Admission ends 15 minutes before closing time.
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 400 yen (Korakuen only)
                 560 yen (Korakuen and Okayama Castle; not available during special exhibitions at the castle)
Various other combination tickets are available