Mt. Washuzan, Kurashiki

Mt. Washuzan is a 133-meter hill located in Shimotsui, Kurashiki, within Setonaikai National Park, which holds the distinction of being Japan's first national park. The mountain's name derives from its distinctive shape, which resembles an eagle (washi in Japanese) with its wings spread, making it a fitting landmark for this coastal region. The site has been designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty and is known for archaeological ruins dating back to the Paleolithic Age.

The peak of Mt. Washuzan offers commanding views of the Seto Inland Sea and the Seto Ohashi Bridge, one of three bridges connecting Okayama Prefecture on Honshu with Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku island. The Seto Ohashi Bridge complex opened on April 10, 1988, as the first route in the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Project. This world's longest two-tiered bridge system took a decade to construct and carries both road and rail traffic across a 13.1-kilometer span. The bridge spans a 9.4-kilometer wide strait and consists of six connected bridges that traverse five islands.

Visitors to Mt. Washuzan can access multiple observation decks that provide panoramic vistas of the idyllic islands dotting the Seto Inland Sea and the impressive engineering of the bridge system stretching into the distance. The area features two main viewing locations near the Washuzan Rest House and the Washuzan Visitor Center. The observatory positions allow visitors to appreciate both the natural beauty of the inland sea landscape and the modern architectural achievement of the bridge infrastructure.

From JR Okayama Station, take the Seto-Ohashi Line to Kojima Station, a 20-minute train ride costing ¥1,350 one way (covered by JR Pass). From Kojima Station, take the Shimotsui Loop Bus for approximately 30 minutes to the Washuzan Daini Observation Deck stop, followed by a 5-minute walk. By car, the site is located about 10 minutes from the Kojima IC on the Seto Chuo Expressway, with parking available for 362 regular vehicles and approximately 45 buses. Admission to the observatory area is free.