- Attractions by Region -
Enjoy “Sunny Okayama” with Korakuen, Kurashiki Bikan Quarter, and Okayama Castle.
Korakuen Garden
One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. A strolling daimyo garden where ponds, lawns, and borrowed scenery create a living scroll through the seasons.
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
White-walled storehouses and willow-lined canals. Take a traditional boat ride or hop between museums, cafés, and craft shops.
Okayama Castle
Nicknamed “Crow Castle” for its sleek black exterior. The illuminated keep reflected on the Asahi River, especially seen from Korakuen, is unmissable.
A daimyo garden of seasonal borrowed scenery and tea-culture moments.
Water and lawns paint a four-season panorama
Built in the Genroku era by Lord Ikeda Tsunamasa, this stroll garden spreads out like a “walkable picture scroll” of lawns, streams, and teahouses.
The Asahi River forms the borrowed scenery, with seasonal illuminations that cast a dreamlike glow along the paths at night.
• History: Completed around 1700. Restored with local support after wartime damage.
• Highlights: The view from Yuishinzan hill frames the river and Okayama Castle perfectly.
• Fun fact: The red-crowned cranes once rang in opening time—consider it a feathered bell!
• Access: From JR Okayama Station, take the tram 5 min to “Shiroshita,” then walk 10 min.
Feel the contrast of a jet-black keep and golden accents—mirror-lit at night on the river.
Gold on black—a dramatic duo
This Keicho-era castle reopened in 2022 after renewal. The black-lacquered exterior and gold shachihoko shine differently by day and night.
Reflections on the Asahi River create the famed “upside-down castle,” a must for photographers.
• History: Built by Ukita Hideie (completed 1597); destroyed in WWII; exterior reconstructed in 1966.
• Highlights: VR exhibits let you walk through the pre-Sekigahara castle town.
• Fun fact: The shop’s charcoal-black “Crow Ice Cream” can temporarily “darken” your smile!
• Access: Tram 5 min from JR Okayama Station to “Shiroshita,” then walk 10 min.
White-walled storehouses, willows, and canal boats—retro meets modern.
Postcard canal scenery
Edo-period rice warehouses repurposed as cafés and galleries line the willow-framed canal where traditional boats glide by.
At dusk, warm lights bathe the white walls, turning the district into a time-slip pedestrian paradise.
• History: Once a shogunate-administered logistics hub; selected in 1979 as an Important Preservation District.
• Highlights: Compare Monet’s “Water Lilies” at Ohara Museum with the real lilies in the garden next door.
• Fun fact: Even some vending machines blend into the white-wall aesthetics—don’t walk past your drink!
• Access: 10 min walk from JR Kurashiki Station. Early mornings are delightfully quiet.
Linked to the Momotaro legend—400 m corridor and the “boiling cauldron” oracle.
Stage of the Momotaro myth
The National Treasure main hall features the unique hiyoku irimoya roof, and a 400 m roofed corridor guides visitors in all weather.
The “narukama” ritual divines fortune by the sound of a boiling cauldron—spooky steam and all!
• History: Dedicated to Emperor Ojin; associated with hero Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto (Momotaro).
• Highlights: Early morning light slanting through the corridor’s wooden lattice is sublime.
• Fun fact: The ogre-face monaka wafer makes for a sweet “peace treaty” after an ogre-slaying!
• Access: 10 min walk from JR Kibitsu Station (Momotaro Line).
Millennia-old swordmaking hub—forge demos and iai experiences.
“The Holy Land of the Japanese Sword”
In the historic sword town of Osafune, monthly forge demonstrations shower sparks as tamahagane steel is hammered to life.
National-class blades line the galleries; next door, make a paper-knife in a hands-on workshop.
• History: From Heian times, local sand iron and the Yoshii River’s water nurtured famed smiths; museum opened in 1986.
• Highlights: The blade-pattern (hamon) theater uses lighting to reveal exquisite lines.
• Fun fact: The shop sells cookie “wooden swords” you can carry on planes—just don’t “unsheathe” at the airport!
• Access: 7 min by taxi from JR Osafune Station; 15 min by car from Okayama Blue Line Oku IC.
“Karuizawa of the West” — vast pastures, Jersey cows, and scenic cycling.
Breezes with a hint of butter
At 600 m altitude, rolling meadows and Jersey cows set the tone for a 30 km cycling loop with views of the Hiruzen peaks and Mt. Daisen.
Photo spots line the road; calories from rich dairy treats are “burned” by headwinds (we hope).
• History: Postwar development turned it into Japan’s top Jersey-cattle area.
• Highlights: Autumn pampas grass glows at sunset like a golden sea.
• Fun fact: “Hiruzen yakisoba” uses a miso sauce thinned with milk—mountain umami unlocked.
• Access: 5 min by car from Yonago Expwy Hiruzen IC; rent bikes at local roadside stations.
“Castle in the Sky” with a surviving keep — mascot cat “Sanjuuro” on duty.
Real mountaintop keep at 430 m
Japan’s highest surviving tenshu often floats above a sea of clouds on autumn and winter mornings.
The resident “castle-lord cat,” Sanjuuro, is known to greet visitors—tail swishes double as “entry checks.”
• History: Founded in 1240; Edo-era upgrades by the Mizunoya clan.
• Highlights: The sea-of-clouds viewpoint is best before 7:00 a.m. on cold, calm days.
• Fun fact: Limited “lord’s business cards” come stamped with a paw print—collectors pounce early.
• Access: From JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station, shuttle + taxi about 30 min; final approach via a 15 min hillside path.
High stone walls and a thousand cherry trees — one of West Japan’s famed flower castles.
Stone walls carrying clouds of blossom
Although the original four-tier keep is gone, the 45 m-high terraced walls and around 1,000 Somei Yoshino trees create a “pink keep” in spring.
At night, illumination turns the masonry into a giant canvas while petals form a “sushi belt” of floating blossom on the moat.
• History: Built by Mori Tadamasa (1616); later structures dismantled under the Meiji Castle Abolition Edict.
• Highlights: The sky-walk atop the walls overlooks both Tsuyama City and the blossom clouds.
• Fun fact: Buy the “castle seal” and you’ll unlock a playful “become the lord” AR filter.
• Access: 10 min walk from JR Tsuyama Station; about 15 min by car from Innosho IC.
Granite “Smiling Rock” with panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea and bridges.
A sky terrace that grins back
At 235 m, a weathered granite boulder resembling a smiling face crowns the summit—perfect for playful selfies against island-dotted seas.
Paragliders often crisscross the sky in spring and autumn, layering air, sea, and stone in one frame.
• Geology: Natural weathering split and rounded the granite into a “smile”—even geologists do a double-take.
• Highlights: Sunset turns the rock a warm orange for a “sunset smile.”
• Fun fact: The café’s “smile cookie” is a look-alike you can actually bite into.
• Access: From JR Uno Station, bus ~25 min to “Ojigatake Trailhead,” then a 40 min walk to the top.
17 km blue-line route past kofun tumuli and a five-storied pagoda.
Time-travel on two wheels
Pedal through fields to Bichu Kokubunji Temple’s pagoda and the gigantic Tsukuriyama Kofun, guided by an easy-to-follow blue line.
Early spring rapeseed and autumn spider lilies color the farm roads; peach gelato makes for a perfect “calorie reset.”
• Background: A cycling initiative linking sites of the ancient Kibi kingdom.
• Highlights: At dusk, silhouettes of bikes and the pagoda overlap in “Kibi Gradation.”
• Fun fact: Rental shops sometimes hand you a bug net—local farmers’ kindness at work.
• Access: Rent a bike at JR Soja Station; ~25 min from Okayama by JR Hakubi Line.
Alpine-style village, flower fields, farm animals—and fresh sausages!
Alpine vibes in West Japan
Tyrolean timber houses and 300,000 seasonal flowers set the scene, with alpaca meetups and sheep races for families.
Slide the grassy slope with a hot pretzel in hand—the hill helps balance out the bakery calories (maybe).
• History: Opened in 1996, inspired by ties with Freising, Germany.
• Highlights: In September, Oktoberfest taps a lineup of imported draft beers.
• Fun fact: The dairy cows have been caught napping during milking workshops—viral cuteness.
• Access: About 30 min from Sanyo Expwy Wake IC; direct buses run from JR Okayama Station on some days.
Heron-legend “beauty waters” — stroll between footbaths and cafés.
The heron that revealed a healing spring
Legend says a wounded heron led monk Ennin to this alkaline spring over 1,200 years ago. The silky water leaves skin remarkably smooth.
Three free footbaths dot the town—pair your yukata walk with a pudding-to-go for a “walking spa.”
• Heritage: One of the three famous “Mimasaka Onsen” alongside Yubara and Okutsu.
• Highlights: In June, Genji fireflies turn the river into a stream of stars.
• Fun fact: Streetlights near the source can fog camera lenses—an “onsen filter” effect.
• Access: 10 min by bus from JR Hayashino Station (“Yunogo Onsen” stop); 10 min by car from Okayama Expwy Mimasaka IC.
Setouchi’s “Aegean Sea” views from a hilltop of 2,000 olive trees.
A white terrace scented with olives
Island-dotted sea vistas unfold through groves of olive trees; the white “Bell of Happiness” terrace is a popular proposal spot.
Taste fresh-pressed oils with a sommelier—many end up dipping so much bread the oil becomes the main act.
• Heritage: Opened in 1942, a pioneer of olive cultivation in Japan.
• Highlights: Join the October harvest and take home ~100 ml of your own oil with a custom label.
• Fun fact: Olive-salt soft-serve doubles as salad dressing when it melts—no waste!
• Access: From JR Oku Station, bus ~20 min to “Olive Garden Entrance,” then 10 min walk.
1.2 km of caverns with a 90 m “curtain” of stalactites—climb and explore.
A limestone cathedral underground
Climb roughly 240 steps past the shimmering “silver curtain” of stalactites and a 50 m subterranean waterfall lit in jewel tones.
In summer it’s ~10°C cooler than the outside—a natural air-conditioned hideaway.
• Geology: Ancient coral reefs uplifted to form the Niimi Karst landscape.
• Highlights: Near the exit, peer into the “Hell Pit”—a 70 m drop that can change your outlook, literally.
• Fun fact: Wi‑Fi bounces in weird ways underground—enjoy being off-grid.
• Access: 15 min by car from Chugoku Expwy Niimi IC; 15 min walk from JR Ikura Station.
20 million flowers—rapeseed, sunflowers, cosmos—on reclaimed land.
Reclaimed land turned into seasonal carpets
Spring rapeseed, summer sunflowers, and autumn cosmos cover 15 hectares, with wind turbines painting the skyline.
Under the starry night (minimal light pollution), the fields become a “flower planetarium.” Tripods available for rent.
• Background: Opened in 2012 as a local revitalization project on the Kasaoka Bay reclaimed area.
• Highlights: The sunflower maze is a GPS-confusing yellow jungle.
• Fun fact: Sunflower soft-serve comes with seeds—jokingly labeled “pollen warning.”
• Access: 5 min by car from Sanyo Expwy Kasaoka IC; 20 min rental-bike ride from JR Kasaoka Station.
Red-bengara plaster and copper-merchant townscape stretching for 1 km.
A time capsule in reddish hues
Once enriched by copper mines and bengara (iron-oxide pigment), the street glows like a brick furnace at sunset.
A café in a renovated townhouse serves “bengara latte” with photo-tricky color tones.
• History: Japan’s top bengara producer in late Edo; famed for wealthy merchant homes.
• Highlights: The former Fukiya Elementary School (Important Cultural Property) is a classic wooden setpiece.
• Fun fact: Even the postbox is bengara red—locals joke your postcard gets “retro-corrected.”
• Access: 55 min bus from JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station to “Fukiya”; taxi tours on weekends.
Three monumental works by Arakawa, Miyawaki, and Okazaki—architecture as art.
Three geometries, three universes
Triangular, square, and circular halls are each a permanent work, where light and air become part of the canvas.
In the triangular room, the wall tone shifts with the sun’s path—the time of your visit becomes your signature.
• Background: Opened in 1994, concept by Arata Isozaki—“the town itself as a museum.”
• Highlights: Biannual star-gazing nights turn the triangle into a planetarium.
• Fun fact: GPS can glitch inside the circular hall—embrace getting “artfully lost.”
• Access: 20 min by car from Chugoku Expwy Mimasaka IC; 25 min town bus from JR Katsumada Station.
Milky Way skies protected by ordinance—observe with a 1.01 m telescope.
A town that protects the stars
Bisei pioneered a light-pollution ordinance in Japan; the 1.01 m telescope brings Jupiter’s bands and Saturn’s rings into striking view.
A grass lawn invites stargazers to lie back with “starry” soft-serve in hand.
• History: Opened in 1993 with support from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.
• Highlights: In summer, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye in remarkable detail.
• Fun fact: The “Black Hole Curry” absorbs light—and attention—right off the plate.
• Access: 40 min by car from Sanyo Expwy Kasaoka IC; shuttle buses run on some event nights from Ibara Station.
Entire Showa-era sulfide mine and local railway preserved—and still running on event days.
Clock back in at an industrial time capsule
The park revives the closed (1991) mine with occasional trolley runs into the drift. Helmets on, and the scents of sweat and sulfur return to life.
• History: Once Japan’s largest pyrite deposit; opened during the Taisho era.
• Highlights: Former Sakubara Station featured in the film “Rebirth.”
• Fun fact: Shop “ore soda” features pyrite-shaped candy—dentists beware.
• Access: 35 min by car from Chugoku Expwy Mimasaka IC; ~90 min via highway bus from JR Okayama (transfer at “Yume Town”).
Mixed-gender riverside open-air bath beneath a dam — free 24 hours.
A natural tub with dam and stars for a ceiling
Three riverside pools bubble right below Yubara Dam; night illuminations reflect alongside the starry sky.
It’s free and open 24/7 (swimsuits not allowed)—your “boldness setting” may be tested.
• Heritage: Praised as “the finest hot spring in the West” since the Edo period.
• Highlights: In winter, snow and steam layer into a dreamy bathscape.
• Fun fact: Nearby footbaths serve as a “second-chance stage” for those who forgot towels.
• Access: 10 min by car from Chugoku Expwy Yubara IC; bus 35 min from JR Ebi Station then 5 min walk.
Birthplace of Japanese denim — hop between “blue” storefronts and ateliers.
400 m of fading glory (in the best way)
Over 30 brand shops fly indigo flags as denim lovers lighten their wallets one selvedge at a time.
Soft-serve dyed blue, indigo taxis—walk long enough and even your soles feel “indigo-washed.”
• History: Postwar school-uniform makers pivoted to jeans; Japan’s first domestic jeans debuted in 1965.
• Highlights: The April Denim Festival hoists a 50 m giant pair of jeans into the sky.
• Fun fact: Even the pay phone is denim-wrapped—no refunds for “faded coins.”
• Access: 15 min walk from JR Kojima Station; 10 min by car from Seto-Chuo Expwy Kojima IC.
500 m wisteria tunnel with roaming pink deer welcoming visitors.
Wisteria canopies and deer greetings
From late April to early May, 1,500 wisteria of 100 varieties drape a 500 m pergola with sweet fragrance.
Pink sacred deer roam the grounds—capture a “Japanese Nara Park” style shot with blooms and deer together.
• History: Dedicated to statesman Wake no Kiyomaro (Nara–Heian periods).
• Highlights: Nighttime illumination turns the clusters into chandeliers.
• Fun fact: Wisteria-flower soft-serve faintly tints your tongue purple—photo-ready.
• Access: 10 min by town bus from JR Wake Station to “Fuji Park Entrance,” then 3 min walk.
Primeval forest and granite carve a V-shaped canyon famous for autumn colors.
A crimson stained-glass canyon
From the suspension bridge, 8,000 maples paint the valley, and mirror reflections create “double foliage” on the water.
Night illuminations turn the surface into a “bowl of light and leaves.”
• Geology: Granite sculpted by the river; designated a Place of Scenic Beauty.
• Highlights: Follow the 1-hour “Eight Views of Autumn Foliage” walking loop.
• Fun fact: Seasonal fried-momiji sweets deliver more calories than leaves can shed.
• Access: 25 min by car from Chugoku Expwy Innosho IC; ~50 min by bus from JR Tsuyama Station to “Okutsu Gorge.”
Skyline fortress ruins with sweeping views over the Kibi Plain and Seto Inland Sea.
An ancient stronghold in the clouds
Stone walls and earthen ramparts encircle a 400 m peak for 2.8 km, slicing through clouds on moody mornings.
• History: Likely 7th century, built by the Yamato court after the Battle of Baekgang; one of Japan’s “ancient mountain castles.”
• Highlights: Sunset from the reconstructed West Gate is a grand finale over the Kibi Plain.
• Fun fact: The “demon” refers to a local legend—today you’re more likely to meet deer.
• Access: 20 min by car from JR Soja Station to the visitor center; 10 min walk to West Gate.
“Japan’s Top 100 Sunsets” over islands and the 13.1 km bridge—best seats in the house.
The “eagle’s wings” over Setouchi
From the 133 m summit, islands and the multi-span Seto Ohashi compose a living panorama that glows red at dusk.
Night brings jeweled bridge lights mirrored on the sea—perfect for a romantic drive.
• Background: Celebrated since the 1880s; went world-class with the bridge’s 1988 opening.
• Highlights: The third lookout frames infinite bridge piers—bring a telephoto.
• Fun fact: “Washu Salt Vanilla” soft-serve melts ~1.2× faster in sea breeze—shoot quickly!
• Access: 10 min by car from Seto-Chuo Expwy Kojima IC; 10 min bus from JR Kojima Station to “Mt. Washuzan 2nd Lookout.”
LED-lit stalactites reflect in an underground lake—fantasy labyrinth.
Stone fireworks underground
The 450 m show path glows in seven colors as stalactites mirror on still water for dazzling symmetry.
Toss a coin into the lake for luck—it’s a quiet romance spot among locals.
• Geology: Formed over a million years in the Niimi limestone plateau; named by poet Yosano Akiko (“Maki”—“full of wonders”).
• Highlights: Concerts transform the cave into a natural reverb hall.
• Fun fact: “Stalactite soft-serve” uses crunchy sugar—tastes sweet, not chalky!
• Access: 10 min by taxi from JR Ikura Station; 20 min by car from Chugoku Expwy Niimi IC.
Sheer 240 m limestone cliffs and a clear stream—nature’s symphony.
White walls, green canopies
Along a 3 km ravine carved by a tributary of the Takahashi River, limestone cliffs rise while kingfishers flash by the riverside walk.
• Formation: Erosion and faulting in thick limestone layers shaped the “San’in Yabakei.”
• Highlights: The 70 m Ikura Falls throws rainbows on sunny days.
• Fun fact: A riverside eco café chills drinks in running water—no power needed.
• Access: 15 min walk from JR Ikura Station; 15 min by car from Chugoku Expwy Niimi IC.
Mid-June only — rare golden-hued fireflies swarm the cedar grove.
Golden confetti on a summer night
Hime-botaru fireflies with a warm golden blink fill the shrine’s cedar forest, like stardust shaking loose.
Silence is part of the viewing etiquette; shutter clicks echo like constellations forming.
• Habitat: Clean streams and mossy ground create a precious breeding environment.
• Highlights: Peak around 20:00; 20 s long exposures render a “golden curtain.”
• Fun fact: No flashlights—forget one and you’ll experience “pitch-black worship.”
• Access: Temporary buses run from JR Hayashino Station; shuttles from Mimasaka IC during the festival.
“Japan’s 8 Great Factory Night Views” — flames and steam in cyberpunk light.
Where pipes glow and steam becomes aurora
Flare stacks send pillars of fire skyward; pipework becomes spiderwebs of light. From Washuzan Skyline, steam clouds take on color for surreal scenes.
• History: Coastal reclamation began in the 1960s; now one of Japan’s top petrochemical hubs.
• Highlights: Friday late-night flares are “factory fireworks”—prime photo time.
• Fun fact: Night cruise lifejackets make unexpectedly photogenic subjects.
• Access: 45 min bus night tour from JR Kurashiki Station; 10 min by car from Mizushima IC to the lookout.
Roundhouse with 17 locomotives and DMUs—turntable demonstrations too.
A living time museum for railfans
The former Tsuyama Depot’s roundhouse now showcases classic rolling stock; turntable demos rumble like a time machine.
Simulators let you “drive” the Kishin Line—speeding earns a scolding from the conductor’s announcement.
• History: Roundhouse built in 1936 (Registered Tangible Cultural Property); museum renewed in 2016.
• Highlights: The JNR-liveried KiHa 181 is a “last diesel limited express” icon.
• Fun fact: “Horumon Udon Burger” bento is simulator-friendly one-handed fuel.
• Access: 10 min walk from JR Tsuyama Station; 15 min by car from Innosho IC.
Selected Saturdays in March—lanterns and umbrellas transform the Bikan Quarter.
White walls dressed in light
Storehouses and willows glow with lanterns, washi umbrellas, and LED candles; reflections on the canal craft a “reverse Kurashiki.”
A glowing oiran procession and shadow-art make the district a one-night stage.
• History: Began in 2004 to support preservation and tourism; held on three March Saturdays.
• Highlights: Projection mapping on Japanese umbrellas at Ivy Square draws lines of cameras.
• Fun fact: Candle wax “repairs” white walls—only in urban legend!
• Access: 15 min walk from JR Kurashiki Station; pedestrian-only within the district during the event.
Early August—over 12,000 dancers parade in “Uraja” style across the city.
Peach-popping summer dance
Painted troupes march to the “Uraja Ondo,” with ogre masks and peach-pink costumes taking over central Okayama.
Fireworks along the Asahi River bloom into peach-shaped bursts, coloring sky and water pink.
• History: Evolved from a local festival line since 1963; now a 3‑day citywide event.
• Highlights: Many dance teams welcome walk-ins—grab some face paint and join!
• Fun fact: The chant “Saja saja Uraja!” sticks in your head till the next day.
• Access: Main venue is JR Okayama Station East Exit area; trams run extra services.
A heart-stone treasure hunt on a sandbar that appears only at low tide.
A sea promenade drawn by the tide
For roughly two hours on either side of low tide, a sandy path connects three islets; find a heart-shaped stone in tide pools for “love luck.”
• Geology: A classic tombolo formed by wind and waves—textbook coastal geomorphology.
• Highlights: Around the summer solstice, the sun sets right along the sandbar (“Venus Line”).
• Fun fact: Don’t take the heart stone home—“offer” it to your camera instead.
• Access: From JR Oku Station, shuttle ~20 min to Ushimado Port → 5 min ferry to Kuroshima; check tide tables in advance.
1.7 km S‑curve over the sea—minimal pylons, maximum views.
A sky ribbon above the water
With no tall main towers to block the view, the snaking S‑curve feels like a guided tour toward the Setouchi panorama.
• Facts: Opened in 1982 to link Okayama and Tamano with an efficient coastal artery.
• Highlights: At sunset, the silhouette and long-exposure light trails create iconic shots.
• Fun fact: Designed to withstand strong crosswinds—light cars should mind the “wind twist.”
• Access: 5 min by car from Okayama Bypass Hikosaki IC; best lookout near the west end parking.
1.2 km of white storehouses and lattice facades—classic castle-town street.
A warm “wa-modern” corridor
Edo-era shopfronts and a Meiji Western-style clinic line the street; a weekend rickshaw adds to the time-slip mood.
At dusk, lanterns shimmer against white walls and the scent of soy sauce drifts from historic breweries.
• History: Merchants’ quarter since 1604; designated as an Important Preservation District in 1993.
• Highlights: The “thousand lattice shadows” at the former Kajimura residence are a photographer’s study piece.
• Fun fact: Manhole covers feature cherry blossoms—locals joke stepping on them triggers “blooming.”
• Access: 5 min by loop bus from JR Tsuyama Station to “Joto Preservation District” stop.