Not to be confused with the larger and more famous Iyo-Matsuyama castle in Shikoku, Bitchū-Matsuyama sits in the quiet, relatively untouristed town of Takahashi in Okayama prefecture. Best known as the highest castle in Japan (at 480 meters above sea level), its original foundation dates back to 1240. Enlarged and enhanced over the centuries, it fell into decay after the Meiji Restoration until being rescued from complete ruin by the townspeople in the 1920s. It is now one of Japan's twelve remaining original castles.