Okayama

Okayama, Kurashiki

Okayama blends culture, nature, and warmth under a mild climate. Discover Korakuen Garden—one of Japan’s three great gardens—and stroll through the charming old town of Kurashiki with its white-walled buildings. Enjoy the calm beauty of the Seto Inland Sea and taste local fruits like peaches and muscat grapes. Okayama is a place where tradition and relaxation meet.

From Tokyo: Shinkansen 3h 15m; 1h 15m

From Osaka: Shinkansen45m

Okayama

Viewdory Selects

Special recommendations handpicked by our team.

Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefecture is known as the "Land of Sunshine," boasting a mild climate, rich nature, and deep history. The area is dotted with spots where you can feel Japanese emotional scenery, such as Okayama Korakuen, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens, and the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter with its beautiful white-walled streets. It is also attracting attention as a gateway to the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea, as well as traditional industries like world-class Bizen pottery and high-quality Kojima denim. Famous as a production center for premium fruits like white peaches and Muscat grapes, it is a...

Okayama
Area Info
Sightseeing
Food
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Okayama City

Okayama City, the prefectural capital of Okayama, is a base for the "Land of Sunshine" where history, culture, and modern urban functions are in harmony. It features historical landmarks such as "Okayama Korakuen," one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens, and the jet-black "Okayama Castle," as well as sophisticated art museums and shopping areas. It is also world-famous as a "City of Fruit" where you can taste the highest quality peaches and grapes. As a Shinkansen stop, it has excellent access to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, Shikoku, and the San'in region. It is an ideal city as...

Okayama
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Maniwa City

Located in northern Okayama Prefecture, Maniwa City is an area where grand nature and traditional culture coexist. Activities at "Hiruzen Kogen," one of Western Japan's leading highland resorts, and open-air baths at "Yubara Onsen" with its rustic atmosphere backed by a huge dam, are popular with adventurous travelers. On the other hand, in the "Katsuyama Streetscape Preservation District," where beautiful "noren" curtains color the town, you can enjoy traditional Japanese handiwork and sophisticated strolling. Sustainable town development in harmony with nature is progressing, making it a place to discover new charms of regional Japan.

Okayama
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kurashiki City

Kurashiki City is a city where history and modern culture intersect, housing the "Bikan Historical Quarter," which retains Edo-period atmosphere, and "Kojima," Japan's largest jeans production area. It is full of spots for intellectual strolls, such as the beautiful scenery of white-walled storehouses along the canal and the Ohara Museum of Art, Japan's first private museum centered on Western art. Furthermore, for travelers seeking superb views overlooking the multi-island beauty of the Seto Inland Sea, fresh seafood, and high-quality "Made in Japan" denim, it is one of the most attractive destinations in Okayama Prefecture.

Okayama
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Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
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Top Landmarks

Must-visit iconic spots that define Japan.

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

The greatest highlight of Okayama sightseeing, this is a historical streetscape that flourished as a land under direct shogunate control (Tenryo) during the Edo period. White-walled storehouses and willow trees continue along the Kurashiki River, and you can enjoy mystical illuminated landscapes at night. Fashionable cafes and general stores renovated from old buildings line the streets, where tradition and modern perfectly harmonize. Spending time looking at the town from the water on the hand-prowed "Kurashiki River Boat Ride" is a special moment that makes you forget daily life. It is a place where Japanese aesthetics are condensed, yearned for by...

Okayama
Sightseeing
Food
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Okayama Korakuen Garden

Okayama Korakuen Garden

Counted as one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens, this is a treasure garden that earned three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Completed in 1700, this garden features a "strolling style" where different scenery can be enjoyed with every step, with wide lawns, ponds, artificial hills, and tea houses skillfully arranged. The view utilizing the adjacent Okayama Castle as borrowed scenery is spectacular. Traditional Japanese aesthetics such as seasonal flowers and moon-viewing events still live on here; despite being in the center of Okayama City, it is a famous spot filled with silence and elegance that must not...

Okayama
Sightseeing
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Okayama Castle

Built in 1597, Okayama Castle is nicknamed "Ujo" (Crow Castle) due to its black-painted exterior walls. Its jet-black appearance exudes a heavy and valiant beauty, contrasting with the nearby white Himeji Castle. Inside, in addition to historical exhibits, there are corners to experience lord and princess costumes, and a workshop where you can experience "Bizen Pottery" clay throwing. From the top floor, you can overlook the adjacent Korakuen and Okayama city area, enjoying a superb view where samurai culture history and the modern cityscape fuse.

Okayama
Sightseeing
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Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

Famous as the "Castle in the Sky," Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is built atop Mt. Gagu at an altitude of 430 meters, making it the highest castle with an existing original tower in Japan. In the early mornings of autumn and winter, the sight of the castle appearing to float on a white sea of clouds is breathtakingly mystical. The main tower, restored in 1683, retains its appearance from that time, allowing you to experience the robust defense from the Sengoku to Edo periods and the powerful architectural beauty that withstands harsh natural environments. The scenery where fragments of history and...

Okayama
Sightseeing
Spring
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Autumn
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Ohara Museum of Art

Ohara Museum of Art

Located within the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, this is the first private museum in Japan centered on Western art. The main building, reminiscent of a Greek temple, houses masterpieces by world masters such as El Greco's "The Annunciation" and Claude Monet's "Water Lilies." The collection, gathered by businessman Magosaburo Ohara through his support of artist Torajiro Kojima, is of extremely high quality, providing an exceptionally luxurious and intellectual experience of touching world-class art within beautiful old Japanese streets.

Okayama
Sightseeing
Spring
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Authentic Local Experiences

Deep dive into authentic Japanese culture.

Okayama Castle Bizen Pottery Workshop

Okayama Castle Bizen Pottery Workshop

Located within the jet-black Okayama Castle, this workshop offers experiences in "Bizen Pottery," one of Japan's oldest types of ceramics. Under the guidance of professional craftsmen, you can actually use Bizen clay to make your own tea bowl or plate. Learning the charm of Bizen pottery, which is fired only by the power of earth and fire without using any glaze, in the special location of a castle is a luxurious experience found only here. The finished work is fired later and shipped to your home (overseas shipping available), making it a very popular activity spot for international guests who...

Okayama
Sightseeing
Activities
Spring
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Doremi Collection Museum

Doremi Collection Museum

Operated by "Doremi Collection," which handles parts for vintage motorcycles and classic cars, this is a private museum that vehicle lovers will find irresistible. Especially legendary Japanese motorcycles that are out of production are beautifully displayed, making it a sacred place for motorcycle fans worldwide. You can see up close Japan's commitment to manufacturing and the beauty of carefully maintained mechanics, a maniacal and stimulating spot where you can enjoy a unique collection not found elsewhere.

Okayama
Sightseeing
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Spring
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Yanahara Fureai Mine Park

Yanahara Fureai Mine Park

A park that conveys the history of the Yanahara Mine, which once flourished as the number one iron sulfide mine in the Orient. There are parts of mine tunnels that were actually used and a museum reproducing life in the mining town at that time, allowing you to learn about the industrial heritage that supported Japan's modernization. Also, vehicles of the "Katagami Railway" that once carried ore are preserved, and you can enjoy nostalgic scenery along with the retro station building, making it a popular spot for railway fans and history lovers.

Okayama
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Mugenan

A workshop and gallery that protects the tradition of "Bizen Pottery" with a 1,000-year history and disseminates its charm. In a quiet environment surrounded by beautiful forests, you can enjoy a pottery making experience (clay throwing) while receiving direct guidance from professional craftsmen. The simple and powerful texture of Bizen pottery, created only by the power of earth and fire without using any glaze, fascinates art fans worldwide. You can create your own original work and feel the depth of Japanese traditional crafts firsthand.

Okayama
Sightseeing
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Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum

Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum

This is a railway museum utilizing the "Former Tsuyama Roundhouse," the second largest in Japan. The sight of steam locomotives and diesel cars, which were once the main players in railway transportation, lined up is spectacular. The "turntable" used to change the direction of locomotives by rotating them still exists, allowing you to see the high level of railway technology of the time. As a spot where you can learn about the history and charm of railways that supported Japan's modernization in a retro atmosphere, it is widely popular among children, adults, and overseas railway fans.

Okayama
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Fukiya Furusato Village

Fukiya Furusato Village

From the Edo period to the Meiji era, Fukiya Furusato Village was a special village that flourished through copper mining and the production of "Bengala," a red pigment made from iron oxide. The beautiful landscape, unified with copper-red Sekishu tiles and Bengala-colored walls, is designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Walking through the luxurious mansions built by wealthy merchants and the maze-like alleys, you can feel the prosperous appearance of Japan at that time. Bengala dyeing experiences are also popular. Hidden deep in the mountains, this "Red Town" is the best hideaway for photography...

Okayama
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Local Stays

Charming inns and stays for your journey.

Diamond Setouchi Marine Hotel

Diamond Setouchi Marine Hotel

A beachside hotel popular with families and groups, located right in front of Shibukawa Coast. A vast sandy beach and calm sea spread before you, with plentiful marine activities available. Inside the hotel, there are hot springs, a pool, and a buffet restaurant where you can indulge in local seasonal blessings, allowing you to fully enjoy a resort mood. It is a perfect base for those who want to comfortably spend a Japanese seaside vacation while looking at the many-island beauty of the Seto Inland Sea.

Okayama
Accommodation
Spring
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Livemax Seto Ohashi Beach Resort

Livemax Seto Ohashi Beach Resort

An ocean-view resort hotel in an excellent location looking out at the Seto Ohashi Bridge up close. A calm Seto Inland Sea beach spreads out right in front, allowing you to easily enjoy swimming and marine leisure in summer. All rooms offer a view of the sea, and at night, you can spend a luxurious time while gazing at the mystical figure of the illuminated Seto Ohashi Bridge. It is an ideal accommodation spot for travelers who want to forget the bustle of the city and relax at a beautiful Japanese seaside.

Okayama
Accommodation
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Kurashiki Seaside Hotel

Kurashiki Seaside Hotel

A unique hotel where you can enjoy both the dynamic industrial night view of the Mizushima Complex and the quiet Seto Inland Sea. It has a vast lawn garden where you can enjoy BBQs and strolls in an open space. Also, because it is adjacent to a shipyard, seeing the powerful sight of huge ships being built up close is a unique experience here. With good access to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, it is chosen by active travelers who want to enjoy both Japan's industrial beauty and sightseeing at the same time.

Okayama
Accommodation
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Suntopia Okayama Soja

Suntopia Okayama Soja

Located in Soja City, surrounded by rich nature, this is a vast resort complex. The large-scale leisure pool that opens in summer is popular and crowded with families and groups. It is also fully equipped with sports facilities such as tennis courts and a gymnasium, as well as accommodation facilities. With many historical spots in Kibiji, a treasure trove of ancient heritage, in the surrounding area, it is a very convenient relaxation spot to serve as a base for traveling around nearby burial mounds and ancient shrines while enjoying active leisure.

Okayama
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Ushimado Carillon House

Ushimado Carillon House

A training and accommodation facility that offers a panoramic view of the beautiful sea of Ushimado, called the "Aegean Sea of Japan." While the sound of the iconic "Carillon Bells" echoes, experiential programs are plentiful, such as marine activities like sailing and kayaking, stargazing, and outdoor cooking using fresh local ingredients. It is a perfect location for travelers who want to leave the city and spend quiet time looking at the many-island beauty of the Seto Inland Sea or seek a "learning trip" to deepen bonds with companions.

Okayama
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Sunroad Kibiji

An ideal accommodation base for sightseeing in "Kibiji," where ancient Japanese romance sleeps. Five-story pagodas of Bitchu Kokubun-ji Temple and giant burial mounds are scattered in the surrounding area, allowing for historical exploration while enjoying cycling. The facility features a natural hot spring, attractive for slowly healing the fatigue of travel. The Japanese food using fresh local ingredients is also well-reputed, making it popular with overseas guests who want to experience traditional Japanese landscapes and hospitality at a reasonable price.

Okayama
Accommodation
Spring
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Farmstay Micchan

Farmstay Micchan

A single-house inn in a peaceful Okayama rural village where you can experience real Japanese country life. Together with warm local people, you can enjoy farming experiences and seasonal cooking. It has a nostalgia and sense of security as if you've come to visit your grandparents' house, with its appeal being the deep cultural exchange that cannot be experienced at a hotel. It is a recommended place for authentic travelers who want to touch Japan's "true wealth" and the rich wisdom of Satoyama.

Okayama
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Local Treasures

Discover hidden gems loved by locals.

Kinojo Castle

A mysterious ancient mountain castle site built on Mt. Kijo at an altitude of about 400 meters. Said to be the stage for the legend of the demon "Ura" in Japanese mythology, it is also called the place that became the root of the Momotaro legend. The reconstructed giant "West Gate" and the stone wall defense stretching for about 2.8 km along the mountain terrain are overwhelmingly powerful, giving you a sensation as if you've entered the world of a fantasy movie. The view from the summit is also spectacular, an adventure spot where you can experience the mystery of...

Okayama
Sightseeing
Spring
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Autumn
Winter

Inujima Island

Inujima, accessible by boat from Okayama City, is a quiet art island that revitalized the ruins of a refinery. The greatest highlight is the "Inujima Seirensho Art Museum," which utilizes the refinery's abandoned chimneys and brick walls as they are. The space, where industrial heritage that supported Japan's modernization, architecture, and modern art fuse perfectly, overwhelms visitors. "Art House Projects" are also scattered throughout the island, allowing you to walk around art that melts into the peaceful fishing village scenery. For travelers who want to immerse themselves in historical memories and silence, it is the best hideaway-like place.

Okayama
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
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Maki-do Cave

Maki-do is a 450-meter-long limestone cave in Niimi City, Okayama, named by poet Akiko Yosano who praised it as a "strange cave filled with wonders." The interior is intricately structured, and scenes such as the "Dream Palace," where illuminated stalactites and stalagmites are reflected on the water's surface, radiate a mystical beauty as if wandering into an otherworldly palace. Known also as a filming location for Seishi Yokomizo's mystery novel "The Village of Eight Tombs," it has a uniquely mysterious atmosphere. In the cool air that makes you forget the heat outside, you can fully enjoy the mysterious formations created...

Okayama
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
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Autumn
Winter

Yubara Onsen

A hot spring area full of rustic charm, famous nationwide for its "Sunayu" located right under the huge Yubara Dam. The mixed-gender open-air bath, which uses the hot spring gushing directly from the riverbed, is popular with international tourists as one of Japan's best wild experiences where you can become one with nature. The surrounding hot spring town retains a traditional atmosphere, with the croaking of Kajika frogs and steam from the springs creating a comfortable space. Also known as a "hot spring for beautiful skin," it is a spot where you can enjoy the essence of Japanese hot spring...

Okayama
Sightseeing
Accommodation
Spring
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Kibitsu Jinja Shrine

Kibitsu Jinja Shrine

The main hall and worship hall, rebuilt in 1425, are designated as National Treasures and feature a unique architectural style called "Kibitsu-zukuri," the only one of its kind in Japan. The greatest highlight is the massive 360-meter-long wooden corridor that stretches in a straight line along the mountain's terrain. This beautiful corridor creates mystical scenery along with seasonal flowers and fascinates travelers from all over the world as an Instagrammable spot. The "Narukama Ritual," the root of the Momotaro legend, is also famous. It is a sanctuary symbolizing the depth of Japanese culture, integrating history, architecture, and mystical mythology.

Okayama
Sightseeing
Spring
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Winter

Kibitsuhiko Jinja Shrine

Kibitsuhiko Jinja Shrine

A historic shrine enshrining Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto, the model for "Momotaro." It is also called "Asahi-no-miya" (Shrine of the Morning Sun) because the morning sun rises directly from the front of the torii on the summer solstice, and has been worshipped since ancient times as a place to receive the sun's sacred energy. The grounds, where the beautiful vermilion-painted shrine buildings and surrounding rich greenery are in harmony, are filled with very calm and refreshing air. It is popular as a deity for safe childbirth and matchmaking, a representative power spot of Okayama City where you can feel the world of Japanese...

Okayama
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Explore by City

Discover hidden charms in each city and town through our visual map.

Mimasaka City

Located in northeastern Okayama Prefecture, Mimasaka City is a city of martial arts and healing, known for "Yunogo Onsen" with its 1,200-year history and as the birthplace of the master swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Peaceful Satoyama landscapes spread out, and in autumn, beautiful seas of clouds and foliage fascinate visitors. It also features "Okayama International Circuit," representing Japan, characterized by being able to enjoy both quiet traditional culture and exciting motor sports. It is an area perfect for travelers seeking hot springs to heal body and soul and a journey to touch the samurai spirit.

Okayama
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kurashiki City

Kurashiki City is a city where history and modern culture intersect, housing the "Bikan Historical Quarter," which retains Edo-period atmosphere, and "Kojima," Japan's largest jeans production area. It is full of spots for intellectual strolls, such as the beautiful scenery of white-walled storehouses along the canal and the Ohara Museum of Art, Japan's first private museum centered on Western art. Furthermore, for travelers seeking superb views overlooking the multi-island beauty of the Seto Inland Sea, fresh seafood, and high-quality "Made in Japan" denim, it is one of the most attractive destinations in Okayama Prefecture.

Okayama
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Okayama City

Okayama City, the prefectural capital of Okayama, is a base for the "Land of Sunshine" where history, culture, and modern urban functions are in harmony. It features historical landmarks such as "Okayama Korakuen," one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens, and the jet-black "Okayama Castle," as well as sophisticated art museums and shopping areas. It is also world-famous as a "City of Fruit" where you can taste the highest quality peaches and grapes. As a Shinkansen stop, it has excellent access to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, Shikoku, and the San'in region. It is an ideal city as...

Okayama
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Shoo Town

Located in northeastern Okayama Prefecture, Shoo Town is a town of history and fruit known as the place where the legendary hero "Sakata Kintoki (Kintaro)" ended his life. Peaceful rural landscapes spread out, famous as a production area for high-quality peaches, grapes, and black beans. Awareness of art and culture is also high, and you can appreciate high-quality collections at the town museum. While not a flashy tourist destination, it is an area where you can enjoy a quiet trip where Japan's simple regional life, rich food, and ancient legends breathe.

Okayama
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Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ibara City

Ibara City is a town attractive for its traditional craftsmanship and beautiful starry skies. It is known as the "Holy Land of Denim," producing high-quality denim fabric adopted by world-famous brands. You can tour textile factories and touch upon advanced dyeing techniques. Additionally, Bisei-cho within the city is famous as the first place in Japan to enact a "Light Pollution Prevention Ordinance to Protect Beautiful Starry Skies," and is certified as an International Dark Sky Park. At night, stars pour down, making you feel the universe close by. Located near the foot of the medieval mountain castle "Kinojo," it is...

Okayama
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Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Niimi City

Located in northwestern Okayama Prefecture, Niimi City is a town attractive for its mystical natural beauty created by limestone lands and its gastronomy. Giant limestone caves such as "Ikura-do" and "Maki-do" are underground art spaces drawn by nature over tens of thousands of years. Also, this is famous as the production center for "Chiya Beef," the oldest systematic breed of wagyu in Japan, where you can taste the highest quality marbled meat in its home. The area is also rich in seasonal flowers, such as the "Rhododendrons of Mimuro River" boasting the oldest history in Japan. It is an ideal...

Okayama
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Maniwa City

Located in northern Okayama Prefecture, Maniwa City is an area where grand nature and traditional culture coexist. Activities at "Hiruzen Kogen," one of Western Japan's leading highland resorts, and open-air baths at "Yubara Onsen" with its rustic atmosphere backed by a huge dam, are popular with adventurous travelers. On the other hand, in the "Katsuyama Streetscape Preservation District," where beautiful "noren" curtains color the town, you can enjoy traditional Japanese handiwork and sophisticated strolling. Sustainable town development in harmony with nature is progressing, making it a place to discover new charms of regional Japan.

Okayama
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Misaki Town

Misaki Town is a place where you can encounter the original Satoyama landscape of Japan with rich greenery and terraced rice fields. Terraced fields selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields" are scattered here, and the geometric rural landscape that changes seasonally heals the hearts of visitors. This town is also known as the birthplace of "Tamago Kake Gohan" (raw egg on rice), and many people visit seeking simple but luxurious gourmet food using fresh eggs and local rice. Filled with hidden Japanese charms known to few, such as hiking in peaceful landscapes and industrial heritage mine...

Okayama
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Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tsuyama City

Tsuyama City is the central city of northern Okayama Prefecture, a city of history where the remnants of a castle town strongly remain. Its symbol, "Tsuyama Castle," is one of the best cherry blossom spots in Western Japan, and its towering, magnificent stone walls symbolize the strength of Japanese castle architecture. The "Joto Streetscape Preservation District," where Edo-period merchant houses line up, is ideal for those who want to enjoy quiet Japanese sentiment. Additionally, you can experience multi-layered charms such as unique food culture like "Tsuyama Hormone Udon" using fresh offal, and facilities where you can learn about railway heritage.

Okayama
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Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefecture is known as the "Land of Sunshine," boasting a mild climate, rich nature, and deep history. The area is dotted with spots where you can feel Japanese emotional scenery, such as Okayama Korakuen, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens, and the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter with its beautiful white-walled streets. It is also attracting attention as a gateway to the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea, as well as traditional industries like world-class Bizen pottery and high-quality Kojima denim. Famous as a production center for premium fruits like white peaches and Muscat grapes, it is a...

Okayama
Area Info
Sightseeing
Food
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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