備中松山城

Bitchū Matsuyama Castle, perched at 430 meters on Mount Gagyū, boasts the highest-altitude surviving castle tower in Japan. In recent years it has gained fame as the 'Castle in the Sky' for its stunning appearance floating above a sea of clouds. Originally built by Akiba Shigenobu in the Kamakura era, it was the scene of fierce battles between the Mimura and Mōri clans during the Sengoku period. The current tower was completed after major renovations by Mizunoya Katsutaka in the Edo period. Though a compact two-story tower, its formidable stone walls and natural mountain terrain create an impressive defense. The towering stone walls along the climbing path are breathtaking, and the castle's resident cat 'Sanjūrō' has also become a beloved attraction.