Bitchu Takahashi JR Station 備中高梁駅, located in Okayama Prefecture, is a train station on Hakubi line (伯備線). The most symbolic landmark of Takahashi city is undoubtedly Bicchu Matsuyama Castle 備中松山城, one of the rare mountain castles in Japan. Having said that, the initial pulling factor for me to visit this city located northwest of Okayama city, was not the historic castle but its train station!
Limited express trains serving this train station include:
(1) Ltd Exp Yakumo やくも, commutes along Hakubin line and San'in main line, between Okayama and Izumo. The train ride takes slightly over 30 minutes from Okayama to Bitchu Takahashi.
(2) Ltd Exp Sunrise Izumo サンライズ出雲, an overnight sleeper train which commutes between Tokyo and Izumo.
What's nearby?
(1) Takahashi City Library 高梁市図書館, located within the train station.
Opening hrs: 0900 - 2100 hrs
Objective achieved! The library building was the aim of my visit to Takahashi city. Caught sight of this modern looking building which stood out in the suburb while I was on board Limited Express Yakumo. Started to research on the name of this train station and eventually made up my mind to pay this place a visit just before heading back to Singapore. The library spans over three storey and is connected seamlessly to the train station. Upon entering the library, you will first see the tourist information center on the left and Starbucks on the right. Love the overall outlook of the library - the spacious concept creates a conducive environment for spending an entire day here reading a favourite book. For those who have been to Takeo City Library 武雄市図書館 in Saga Prefecture, this place will breed familiarity. In fact, Takahashi City Library was a collaboration between Takahashi City and Culture Convenience Club Company (known as CCC in short), the same company behind the successful revamp of Takeo City Library.
https://takahashi.city-library.jp/library/
(2) Tsutaya 蔦屋 and Starbucks スターバックス, located within the train station.
A section of the library is dedicated to Tsutaya, a local bookstore chain managed by CCC, and Starbucks. What I like most about the overall design of the library, bookstore, cafe and tourist information center is its open concept in which the various sections are not separated by dividers/walls, therefore promoting collaboration. One of the most appealing design which has become the center of attraction in this building is the towering wall bookshelves in the dining area - you cannot help but want to take a photo of this spot before heading further into the library!
https://www.starbucks.co.jp/store/search/detail.php?id=2086
(3) Tourist Information Center 高梁市観光案内所, located within the train station.
https://takahashi.city-library.jp/library/access#kanko_annai
Opening hrs: 0900 - 1700 hrs
Group taxi. There is an affordable and convenient group taxi service which tourists can make use to visit Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. For a one way fee of 500 yen, the taxi departs from the train station to Fuigo toge ふいご峠 and it takes another 25 minutes walk to reach the Tenshukaku (keep tower) of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. However, a prior reservation via phone call is required/recommended to secure this service. I tried my luck to make a reservation on the spot and fortunately was able to get the earliest 0950 hrs slot. Similarly, I utilised the same taxi service which departed at 1140 hrs from Fuigotoke to return to the train station.
(1) Takahashi City Library 高梁市図書館, located within the train station.
Opening hrs: 0900 - 2100 hrs
Objective achieved! The library building was the aim of my visit to Takahashi city. Caught sight of this modern looking building which stood out in the suburb while I was on board Limited Express Yakumo. Started to research on the name of this train station and eventually made up my mind to pay this place a visit just before heading back to Singapore. The library spans over three storey and is connected seamlessly to the train station. Upon entering the library, you will first see the tourist information center on the left and Starbucks on the right. Love the overall outlook of the library - the spacious concept creates a conducive environment for spending an entire day here reading a favourite book. For those who have been to Takeo City Library 武雄市図書館 in Saga Prefecture, this place will breed familiarity. In fact, Takahashi City Library was a collaboration between Takahashi City and Culture Convenience Club Company (known as CCC in short), the same company behind the successful revamp of Takeo City Library.
https://takahashi.city-library.jp/library/
(2) Tsutaya 蔦屋 and Starbucks スターバックス, located within the train station.
A section of the library is dedicated to Tsutaya, a local bookstore chain managed by CCC, and Starbucks. What I like most about the overall design of the library, bookstore, cafe and tourist information center is its open concept in which the various sections are not separated by dividers/walls, therefore promoting collaboration. One of the most appealing design which has become the center of attraction in this building is the towering wall bookshelves in the dining area - you cannot help but want to take a photo of this spot before heading further into the library!
https://www.starbucks.co.jp/store/search/detail.php?id=2086
(3) Tourist Information Center 高梁市観光案内所, located within the train station.
https://takahashi.city-library.jp/library/access#kanko_annai
Opening hrs: 0900 - 1700 hrs
Group taxi. There is an affordable and convenient group taxi service which tourists can make use to visit Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. For a one way fee of 500 yen, the taxi departs from the train station to Fuigo toge ふいご峠 and it takes another 25 minutes walk to reach the Tenshukaku (keep tower) of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. However, a prior reservation via phone call is required/recommended to secure this service. I tried my luck to make a reservation on the spot and fortunately was able to get the earliest 0950 hrs slot. Similarly, I utilised the same taxi service which departed at 1140 hrs from Fuigotoke to return to the train station.
- Bitchu Takahashi JR Station > Fuigo toge: 0950, 1120, 1250, 1420 hrs
- Fuigo toge > Bitchu Takahashi JR Station: 1140, 1310, 1440, 1610 hrs
Another popular activity here is Unkai 雲海 (or sea of clouds) viewing of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. A similar group taxi service is available between October and March to ferry visitors from the train station to Unkai Observatory 雲海展望台. Cost 1,500 yen for a round trip, there are two available timing per day (0730 and 0800 hrs) during its operational period and prior reservation is also required to utilise this service.
(4) Raikyuji 頼久寺, about 15 mins walk from the train station.
(4) Raikyuji 頼久寺, about 15 mins walk from the train station.
