This is a sightseeing course that goes north through the central part of Okayama Prefecture.
1.Bitchu Matsuyama Castle (備中松山城)
Due to its high position, a sea of clouds appears, and it is said to be a castle in the sky.
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is designated as a national important cultural property as the highest mountain castle in Japan.
The first photo is the castle tower, which is built on Mt. Gagushi at an altitude of about 480m. The castle tower is about 11m high, which is the lowest among existing castle towers.
Although it looks like a three-storied building, it is actually a two-storied building. There is an irori (hearth) on the first floor, and there is a higher room called the Shozoku-no-ma, where only the lord of the castle can enter.
The cat in the foreground is the lord of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, and his name is Sanjuro.
This cat is gentle and familiar with people.
2. Bukeyashiki (武家屋敷)
It is located in the castle town of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle and can be visited.
3. Raikyuji Temple
It is a dry landscape garden. At the end of April, azalea flowers were coloring the garden.
4. Sand bath (すなゆ) in Yubara Onsen
Yubara Onsen is a popular hot spring area located downstream of the Yubara Dam and spreading along the Asahi River. Right near the dam, there is a sand bath(砂湯), which is a large natural open-air bath made from hot spring water that gushes out from the bottom of the river.
It is open 24 hours a day, free of charge, so you can enjoy the natural hot spring in the great outdoors at any time. As it is a mixed bath, it is recommended for women to use a bathing suit (rental), and there is also a simple dressing room.
