Partners Information: Bicchu Matsuyama Castle in Okayama Prefecture is known as “the mountain castle in the sky”.
Surrounded by a sea of clouds, the castle sits at an altitude of 430m, which makes it the highest location of all remaining castles in Japan with a keep.
After the damage caused by the heavy rains in western Japan in July 2018, the number of visitors to the castle dropped considerably.
Around this time, a stray cat moved into the castle. Nobody knows where it came from, but it’s assumed to be around 3 years old, and male. Nicknamed “Sanjuro”, the cat is tame and friendly and has become a big hit on social media.
More and more people have started to visit the castle to meet Sanjuro and the number of visitors is on the rise again. In recognition of his contribution, Sanjuro was officially appointed as lord of Bicchu Matsuyama Castle.
Come and meet the cute lord as he walks around the castle twice a day, at 10am and 2pm.
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