Okayama Prefecture Mt. Washu Sunset Appreciation Bus Ticket

Unfortunately, I didn't get to enjoy the good weather, so I ended up going on a cloudy day. It's quite a shame. I also visited Kojima Jeans Street, but even for a Friday afternoon, there were very few people, and it was quiet.

For those who don't drive, this bus is truly affordable and convenient. I personally recommend sitting on the driver's side. Although the view isn't facing the bridge before reaching Mount Sanbyaku, once you leave Mount Sanbyaku and head to Mount Washu, you'll be facing the bridge, offering a much better view than on the way there. Don't forget to take a picture with the Pokémon manhole cover at the Mount Washu observation deck.

The stop at Sanbyakusan should be canceled, allowing more time at the Washuzan Observation Deck, which would also make it possible to visit the First Observation Deck.

The sunset at Mt. Washu was so beautiful it left me speechless, a truly unforgettable sight. Although I was eventually able to board and the driver apologized, I felt a strong sense of unease about the on-site handling of the situation. What I most want to point out is the on-site verification process, which prioritized "the testimony of those around us rather than our tickets." We were legitimate passengers holding valid tickets. Despite this, the driver did not first check our tickets but instead believed the "vague memory" of a Japanese-speaking passenger who happened to be there (who claimed we were not passengers), and denied us boarding. In the tourism industry, shouldn't "ticket verification" be the top priority for confirming a passenger's identity? In a situation where there's a language barrier, it is extremely unfair and unpleasant for passengers with valid tickets to be excluded based on the words of others. If you plan to continue welcoming international tourists, I strongly urge you to implement a "standardized boarding verification process" that is fair to everyone and does not depend on language. This regrettable incident is particularly disappointing given how wonderful the scenery was. I sincerely hope for improvement.

It's quite convenient to book in advance and then board the bus. However, I still recommend arriving early to queue, otherwise, it feels like you might not get a seat and won't be able to board. (We were already queuing at 5:10 PM to board the bus.)