Timeline
17:33
Walk the 10 minutes from Bitchu-Takamatsu Station to the Site of Takamatsu Castle. The grounds are always open, so you can arrive early to explore the lily-filled moat and the small museum (open 10:00-15:00) while the afternoon light is soft.
18:03
Head to 宗形神社ちびっこ広場. This park is located 56 minutes walk from the castle site, positioned to the East. Arrive here just as the sun sets. On the specified dates, the sun will set directly behind the distant Site of Takamatsu Castle, creating a rare alignment. The sunset occurs around 18:03 local time.
18:18
After the light fades, walk back towards the castle grounds. The area is quiet and atmospheric in the evening. You can sit by the moat and reflect on the historical significance of the site, where Toyotomi Hideyoshi once flooded the castle in 1582.
Local tip
The walk from the castle to the viewing spot is long (56 minutes). Plan your timing carefully to ensure you reach 宗形神社ちびっこ広場 by sunset. There are no food or drink shops listed in the immediate vicinity, so bring water and snacks with you.
Check before you go
- The alignment only happens on specific dates: 06 Mar to 11 Mar and 02 Oct to 08 Oct.
- The museum at the castle closes at 15:00, but the grounds are open all day.
- Check the route from Bitchu-Takamatsu Station to the castle if you are starting from there.
Worth knowing
- Sun position is calculated. We have not confirmed the view is unobstructed.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Okayama (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).