Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum | Review by 王小鈞

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, located in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, is a mountain castle that truly feels “difficult to capture.” It is also one of Japan’s remaining original castle keeps and is listed among Japan’s 100 Famous Castles. In fall and winter, a sea of clouds often forms, creating a dreamlike “castle in the sky” view.

This time, I took on the challenge of walking from Bitchu-Takahashi Station all the way to the castle ruins. Starting at the trailhead, most of the route after that was an unpaved mountain trail covered with dirt and rocks. It really wasn’t as easy as I had imagined. I kept climbing and panting while watching my step, and when I finally reached the top, I truly felt a sense of accomplishment:

“I finally made it up here!” Looking down from the castle ruins, the mountainside really is quite steep. Just imagining people in the past trying to attack this place makes you realize how impressive the castle’s defenses must have been.

Of course, if you don’t want to take on the full hiking challenge, you can take a bus from the station and then walk a shorter distance up the mountain, skipping the difficult sections and making the trip much easier! The climb was a little tiring, but when I saw the castle keep and the layers of mountains in front of me, I still felt—this difficult journey was worth it.

Standing on the observation deck, you can see the endless expanse of the Mizushima industrial zone right before your eyes.

During the day, you can clearly see the industrial area, smokestacks, and the entire cityscape. Although it lacks the dazzling lights of nighttime, it has a different kind of expansive beauty.

I heard that this place is truly breathtaking after dark. As the sun slowly sets and the factory lights come on one by one, the entire Mizushima industrial zone seems to light up. Its captivating “industrial night view” is said to be so beautiful that it is unforgettable once you see it.

Unfortunately, I visited during the day this time and didn't get to see the famous night view in person, but that gave me even more reason to say, “Next time, I definitely have to come back at night.”

If you think an art museum is a place where you quietly appreciate paintings one by one, the Nagi Museum of Contemporary Art may offer a completely different experience.

Known as a pioneer of Japan's “immersive art museums,” it feels less like a traditional museum and more like a series of independent art spaces, each with a completely different style.

Each exhibition area has its own distinctive features, with architecture, light and shadow, space, and artwork blending together. Much of the time, rather than “standing outside and looking at art,” you actually step inside the work itself.

I really like this way of visiting an art museum. It doesn't feel too distant, and you don't need to know much about art theory. Even if you simply take in the atmosphere created by the space and the artwork, you can still find your own way to enjoy it.