Takahashi

• • Bitchu Matsuyama Castle — One of the few remaining original Japanese castles, dating back to the 17th century, it is the only original mountain castle in the nation. It is also the highest castle, built atop Mount Gagyu. Although you can take a taxi up most of the mountain, there is a point at which you must walk up (as no vehicles are allowed on the path leading to the castle). The ascent to the castle will take you through the well-preserved and highly impressive castle walls before you reach the top. The inside of the castle does not have many artifacts however, the uniqueness of the castle and the beauty of the surrounding area more than make up for it. It has gained fame as a "Castle in the Sky" when viewed from afar surrounded by clouds (See "Do" for details on how to access the viewpoint). Despite all of its beauty and outstanding features, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is one of the least visited of all the original castles, making it a true gem. — Price: ¥300 — Phone: +81 86-622-1487
• • Raikyū-ji — A zen temple of the Rinzai sect that dates back to 1504. The beautifully constructed garden within the temple grounds was constructed by Kobori Enshu, who is one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony. It's about 15 minutes from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station. — Address: Raikyuji-cho — Hours: 09:00-17:00 — Price: ¥300 adults, ¥200 children — Phone: +81 86-622-3516 — Website: http://raikyuji.com/
• • Takahashi Museum of History — A museum dedicated to the city's long history from its days as part of the ancient Kibi Kingdom to the feudal era when the wider Bitchu Province was ruled from Bitchu Matsuyama Castle to the present day. — Address: 1203-1 Haradakita-cho — Hours: W-M 09:00-17:00 — Price: ¥300 — Phone: +81 86-621-0180 — Website: https://www.city.takahashi.lg.jp/site/takahashi-historical-museum/
• • Shōren-ji — This temple, built atop a large stone wall, looks more like a fortress than a temple. — Address: 4102 Kamidanicho
• • Yakushi-in — Yakushi-in gained its fame as the setting of the movie "Otoko wa Tsurai yo" (男はつらいよ). — Address: 4100 Kamidanicho — Directions: North of Shoren-in
• • Takahashi Church — Constructed in 1889 (Meiji 22) by a Western architect, it's the oldest church in Okayama. Worship services are still held on Sunday mornings. — Address: 26 Kakinochi-machi — Directions: Along Koyagawa-dori — Hours: 08:30-17:30 — Price: Free — Phone: +81 86-622-3311
• • Haibara House — Served as a resident for samurai guards and servants. — Hours: 09:00-17:00 — Price: ¥400 (includes entrance to Orii House) — Phone: +81 86-623-1330
• • Orii House — A former samurai residence. Visitors are free to walk in and around the house. Don't forget to go around the back to the small museum featuring samurai armor and other objects owned by the Orii family. — Price: ¥400 (includes entry to Haibara House)
• • Ikegami Mansion
• • Hayama Gorge — A scenic gorge with picturesque rock formations. It is also popular among rock climbers.
• • Nariwa Museum — A remote art museum along the Nariwa River. It was founded as a way to showcase the art of Torajiro Kojima who was born here. The museum also features special exhibits throughout the year. The building was designed by the famous architecture, Tadao Ando. — Hours: Tu-Su 09:30-17:00, periodic closures when changing exhibits — Phone: +81 866-42-4455 — Website: https://nariwa-museum.or.jp/

• • Bengara Dyeing — The Fukiya area is famous for its rusty-red bengara dyes which it has been producing since the Edo Period. Those who like the color can of course purchase various articles of dyed clothing at various shops in the town however, there is another option for those interested in bengara dyes: learn to dye your own scarves. Those interested in the dyeing experience need a reservation at least 2 days in advance. — Address: 1604 Sakamoto Nariwa-cho — Directions: At the Nishie Residence — Hours: Daily 10:00-16:00 — Price: Dye a small scarf ¥1,500, dye a long stole scarf ¥3,000 — Phone: +81 86-629-2805 — Email: info@nishie-residence.com — Website: http://www.nishie-residence.com/bengarazome/bengara_taiken.html
• • Castle Viewpoint — The view of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle shrouded in a sea of clouds (雲海 unkai) has gained a lot of attention. Castle fans and professional and amateur photographers alike have become interested in how to get the shot of the "Castle in the Sky" (天空の城) themselves. There is a viewpoint about 8.5 km from Bitchu-Takahashi Station. An early morning bus is available during peak season to take visitors to the viewpoint; however, you must make a reservation with the Tourist Information Center at least 1 day in advance. Because the sea of clouds are visible in the early morning, if you are serious about seeing it, spend the night in Takahashi and get up extra early. — Hours: 24h, but Nov-Mar early morning to 08:00 offers the highest chances of seeing the sea of clouds — Phone: +81 866-22-8666 — Website: http://www.city.takahashi.okayama.jp/site/bichu-matsuyama/unkaitenboudai.html

• • Cafe Rest Chateau — Sells set lunches & dinners for about ¥800. Also sells pasta, omurice, and curry. Famous for having amazing parfaits, as well as for 'bucket parfaits' - parfaits served in a pail, or if you reserve in advance and have enough people, you can order the giant parfait served in a tub (14-16 people recommended). — Address: 13-11 Raikyujicho — Directions: From the station, go north. When you reach the canal, turn right and cross the train tracks. Chateau is on your left. — Hours: Daily 08:00-20:30
• • Kawakamiya — A convenient katsu-don (pork cutlet) restaurant with other similar foods. — Address: 1308-9 Asahimachi
• • Kappo Uno — Serves yuzu miso katsudon (pork cutlet with yuzu miso sauce over rice), a local specialty. — Address: 1967-1 Masamune-cho — Hours: 17:00-late — Phone: +81-866-22-0080
• • Organic Shokudo Kaneya — An organic restaurant. Its Bengara vegetable curry and Bengara vegetable katsu curry are fairly popular. The black curry is both interesting to look at and delicious. — Address: 885 Fukiya, Nariwa-cho — Hours: Daily 11:30-17:30 — Price: Curry ¥800-900
• • Pizzeria Mio — Serves pizzas baked in an Italian oven. — Address: 33 Honmachi — Hours: Daily 11:00-15:00, 17:00-20:00

The most popular souvenir from Takahashi is the Bengara cloth. The Bengara dyes have been made in the Fukiya area for centuries and they sell attractive scarves, bags, shirts, and other items made from the bengara cloth.

• • Asada Hyakka-ten — A shop selling bengara products, such as scarves, clothing, and paper, as well as bengara powder and other local goods. — Phone: +81 86 629-2311 — Website: http://www.bengara.co.jp/
• • Koyagawa Tourism Center — A great place to purchase Takahashi's local products and handicrafts. — Address: 44-1 Honmachi — Hours: Daily 09:00-17:00

• • Takahashi Kokusai Hotel — Address: 2033 Masamune-cho — Price: Prices start at ¥7350 — Phone: +81 86-621-0080 — Website: http://www.tkh.co.jp/
• • Motonakadatei Kurayashiki — Address: 1757 Uji-cho — Directions: from Bitchu Takahashi Station take a bus to Ujinokyo-mae — Price: ¥3150 without meals, ¥6820 with two meals — Phone: +81 86-629-2118
• • Business Hotel Takahashi — Address: 1943-5 Ichiei-machi — Phone: +81 86-622-6766 — Website: http://www10.plala.or.jp/bh-takahashi/
• • Akagi Ryokan — Address: 789 Ichidan-cho — Price: Prices range from ¥8400 to ¥12600 (includes two meals) — Phone: +81 86-622-3241

= The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site