'''Okayama''' (___R; [http://www.city.okayama.okayama.jp/index-e.htm]) is the capital of Okayama prefecture in the Chugoku region of Japan, on the southern coast of the island of Honshu.

Understand

Okayama is a fairly large city of around 700,000 people. Beyond its famous white peaches and Korakuen garden (which in truth, are alone worth a visit) it may seem like it offers far less to the tourist than Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto however, if one gives Okayama the time, they will find it has a pleasant charm of its own.

One can easily spend an entire day in the Culture Zone visiting all of the various museums, the castle, and Korakuen. Outside the Culture Zone, lies a variety of worthwhile attractions that few foreign tourists are aware exist. From the Kubo Fruit Farm to the Kibi Plains on down to Kojima Bay, Okayama has an impressive array of historical, cultural, and natural sites to explore. Often overlooked, yet easily accessible by Shinkansen, Okayama is truly one of Japan's best kept secrets!

Get in

Okayama proclaims itself as the setting of the original fairytale and today even Okayama's main street is known as ''Momotar?-Od?ri'' (Momotaro St). Residents claim that the fairytale was based on the legend of Kibitsuhiko, in which prince Kibitsuhiko fought with the ogre Ura, who is said to have lived in Kinojo (Demon's Castle) in the area around Soja city.

By plane

Air service is offered into Okayama from several airports, including Tokyo, Sapporo, Sendai, Kagoshima and Okinawa. There are also direct international flights between Okayama and Seoul, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dalian, Beijing and Guam. Buses make a 40-minute run to the Okayama train station (¥680).

By train

Okayama is a major stop on the '''Sanyo Shinkansen''' route. All shinkansen trains stop at Okayama, and some even start or terminate here.

The most frequent services are the '''Nozomi''' trains that operate on the entire ''shinkansen'' route; trains depart Tokyo at 20 minute intervals, reaching Okayama in about 3 1/2 hours. '''Hikari Rail Star''' trains also make frequent runs, stopping in Okayama on runs between Osaka and both Kokura Station in Kitakyushu and Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

There is also one '''Hikari''' train per hour that runs from Tokyo to Okayama, but it takes a bit longer (4 hours 15 minutes) since the train stops at additional stations en route.

An overnight train, the Sunrise Seto/Sunrise Izumo, operates daily from Tokyo Station, leaving at 10 PM and arriving in Okayama at 6:27 AM. Japan Rail Pass holders must pay the lodging charge on the Tokyo-Okayama segment; the rest of the trip is covered under the pass. Lodging charges currently range from \9450 for a B solo to \10500 for a B single, to \16500 for an A single deluxe. If you really want to travel on the cheap side, \3660 gets you your own floor space... literally, you sleep on the floor.

Okayama is also the starting point of '''Marine Liner''' rapid trains across the Seto Inland Sea to Takamatsu, and limited express trains to other destinations on the island of Shikoku. Many of these trains to Shikoku are timed for seamless connections with '''Nozomi''' train arrivals. Local-line trains will often wait for express trains on other lines, which causes frustration for some users, but enables smooth transfers for visitors. If you travel on the '''Marine Liner''' to Takamatsu using the Japan Rail Pass, a small surcharge will put you in a comfortable Green Car seat.

If you do not have a Japan Rail Pass it is possible to travel cheaply overnight from Okayama to Matsuyama, Kochi and Fukuoka during University vacation periods using '''Moonlight Special Rapid''' services. These are very popular and tend to get booked a month in advance.

An alternative way to get to Osaka is to take a local train or the Shinkansen to Nishi Akashi near Himeji and transfer to a Special Rapid service which travels through Osaka and Kyoto. Unfortunately the local service to Akashi runs only once an hour and takes around 90 minutes but the Special Rapid service provides a good alternative to the Shinkansen around Kobe,Osaka and Kyoto.

Local trains also run northward several times daily to Yonago and Tottori Cities in Tottori prefecture and Matsue and Izumo Cities in Shimane prefecture. This scenic trip across the mountain range takes about two hours.

By bus

Chugoku JR Bus operates an overnight bus service, the ''Kibi Dream'' from Tokyo Station and the Yokohama City Air Terminal (YCAT) to Okayama. The travel time is approximately ten hours from Tokyo (¥10000 one way, ¥16600 round trip) and nine hours from Yokohama (¥9700 one way, ¥16200 round trip).

Daytime buses operated by Ryobi Bus run hourly from Osaka Namba (3 hours, ¥3060 one way, ¥5610 round trip), and five times daily from Kyoto (3 1/4 hours, ¥3500 one way, ¥6300 round trip).

From Tottori, you can take a bus to Okayama for just \3000.

'''123bus''' [http://www.123bus.net/index.html] is a company which provides daily night time bus services between Tokyo and Okayama, Osaka and Okayama (4 hours, ¥2500 one way). With an online booking service in English.

Get around

Pop into the information office just near the main exit of Okayama station and ask for an '''English Okayama pamphlet'''. It has an excellent inner city map showing the tram routes, bus stops and some tourist attractions. It also has a larger map of the surrounds and another concentrated map of the Kibiji Zone outlining shrines, burial mounds, temples, and a suggested cycling route.

A convenient '''tram''' line runs east from JR Okayama Station along Momotaro-Odori. There are in fact two tram routes, which begin from the same tram-stop on the east side of Okayama Station and then branch in separate directions. The Higashiyama line tram runs along Momotaro-Odori until Okayama Symphony Hall (stopping at "Shiroshita" tram stop, which is the closest stop to Okayama Castle) then turns south towards the prefectural government office before winding towards the terminus. The other tram line turns to the right about half-way along Momotaro-Odori, passes the central post office and terminates at Seikibashi intersection. Board Okayama trams (and buses) at the rear, take a boarding ticket and pay your fare at the front when you disembark. The driver will not give change, but there is a machine on the tram that will change your coinage before your ride ends and you can then pay the exact amount to the driver. Prepaid bus cards can also be used on the trams. (See below.)

There are '''buses''' that run throughout the city. You can buy '''prepaid bus cards''' at several locations including the Okayama station bus information booth and Omotecho Bus Center, in ¥2000, ¥5000 or ¥10000 iterations. These cards work out to be slightly cheaper than paying cash at the end of each journey, but unused portions of the cards cannot be refunded. (When a card is "drained" of its prepaid charge, you can use cash to pay the outstanding amount.) Bus journeys within the city will cost no more than a few hundred yen. Okayama station to Tenmaya/Omotecho shopping mall costs ¥100.

Perhaps the most confusing thing with the buses is that different companies sometimes offer similar routes that depart at different times from different bus-stops. The staff at bus information centers are very helpful, but might not give information on rival companies running similar routes unless asked.

Since October 2006, three bus companies have been pushing '''Hareca Integrated Circuit Cards''' (IC Cards, limited only to the trams and local buses run by Ryobi, Shimoden and Okaden companies) as an alternative to the disposable prepaid cards, but the deposit on the new cards makes them more expensive than paying by cash, especially if you are only visiting and traveling a little.

Talk

The '''Okayama dialect''' (___R__) is quite different from standard Japanese, with several and vocabulary- and sound-related distinctions. Sound changes include word-final ''-i'' of adjectives changing to a drawn-out ''-ee'' (e.g., ''sugoi'' ("amazing") to ''sugee'') and standard ''da'' copula becoming ''ja'', with Okayama-specific vocabulary including ''deeree'' or ''bokkee'' (standard Japanese: ''totemo'', meaning "very") and ''oidensee'' (standard Japanese: ''irasshaimase'', "welcome"). Though Okayama dialect is used by men and women, it is thought (even by some locals) to sound somewhat "rough", and possibly even unladylike when used by younger women.

Spoken English ability is generally fairly poor, more so than the larger cities which see more foreign tourists, but some residents may surprise you with their fluency. Locals fully understand standard Japanese, but depending on the dialectical "severity" of the speaker, you may not understand the response. As in the rest of Japan, attempting to speak Japanese is appreciated, and knowledge of the local dialect will likely result in both surprise and good-natured amusement. Many tourists to Okayama have reported that, despite the lack of English-speakers, the people tend to be extremely friendly and willing to offer help, moreso than in other cities, so if you find yourself not knowing where to go, don't be afraid to ask!

See

'''Momotaro statues''' are a popular Okayama photo-op. Arriving by train, you'll see your first at the east exit of JR Okayama Station, but there are Momotaro motifs all over the city — there is a Momotaro mail box at the east exit of the station, and even manholes often feature Momotaro's picture. You will also find individual statues of his friends the dog, monkey, and pheasant at several intersections along Momotaro-Odori.

Culture Zone

Many of central Okayama's main sights are clustered on the eastern side of the Central Business District in the area known as the Culture Zone. From Okayama station, just take the tram three stops east to Shiroshita on the Higashiyama Line to get there. From Shiroshita, all of the sites within the Culture Zone are within short walking distance.

  • Korakuen Garden. __y__. 86-272-1148. ttp://www.okayama-korakuen.jp/intro/intro_f.html. :30AM-6PM April-September, 8AM-5PM October-March. ntrance fee: \350. As one of Japan's official
  • Okayama Castle. __R__ Okayama-jo. ttp://www.city.okayama.jp/museum/okayamajou/. AM-5PM. ntry into the main donjon ¥300. Popularly known as '''Crow Castle''' (_G__ U-jo), it is so named because unlike every other castle in the country (except Soja. Many of the sites are also associated with the legend of Prince Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto, which is believed to be the tale that later became the famous '''Tale of Momotaro'''.

    A visit to the historical sites of the Kibiji District is best done by bike (see Do)). However, all sites can be reached by using the train and then walking (or taking a bus, for certain locations). If you begin your travels from Bizen Ichinomiya Station, the following sites are listed in the order in which you will see them.

  • Kibitsuhiko Shrine. izen Ichinomiya Station. 86-284-0031. ttp://www.kibitsuhiko.or.jp/. ntrance is free. This shrine, rebuilt in 1697, is dedicated to Prince Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto and claims to be among the areas where the Prince fought the demon, Ura, who had been terrorizing those living in the area however, this battle is said to have taken place predominately at the next site, Kibitsu Shrine. Regardless of whether or not this shrine should be associated with the story, as the first stop along the trail and due to its unique architectural style, should not be passed up. To get there, turn right after exiting the station and cross the train tracks.

  • Kibitsu Shrine. 86-287-4111. ttp://kibitujinja.com/. ntrance is free. Last rebuilt in 1425, this shrine is important for two main reasons. First, it was once the head shrine of the entire Kibi Kingdom (which spanned from Okayama to areas in
  • Komori-zuka Burial Mound. ntrance is free. Although the mound itself is quite small, this burial mound contains the one thing missing from the Tsukuriyama mound; a look inside the tomb. This tomb is believed to date back to the sixth century. Aside from this, not much else is known about it.

  • Okayama Prefectural Kibiji Museum. 86-693-2219. ttp://www.sqr.or.jp/usr/kyodokan/. u-Su 9AM-4:30PM. ntrance fee: \150. A museum with nice displays of artifacts from the ancient Kibiji Kingdom. There are also lectures and interactive demonstrations for children. It's behind Kokubunji Temple and Koumori-zuka Burial Mound.

  • Bitchu Kokubunji Temple. ntrance is free. Kokubunji Temples are special temples that were designated by the Emperor Shomu as provincial temples. This is the provincial temple of the Bitchu area (western Okayama prefecture). The large five-story pagoda, constructed in 1844, is one of the highlights of the Kibi trail. The area surrounding the temple is known as the Kibiji Fudoki-no-oka Prefectural Forest Park. For those wishing to see this temple without travelling along the trail, there are buses from
  • Former Ashimori Clan Samurai Residence. ____________~___\ kyuuashimorihansamuraiyashikiikou. 52 Ashimori. 86-295-0983. u-Su 9AM-4:30PM. ntrance is free. This building was once the residence to one of the most influential samurai in the region.

  • Former Ashimori Clan Merchant House. ____________c___N___@ kyuuashimorishoukafujitasennenjitei. 16 Ashimori. 86-295-0005. u-Su 9AM-4:30PM. ntrance is free.

  • Omizuen Garden. _____ ''omizuen''. 03 Ashimori. 86-295-0981. ttp://www.city.okayama.okayama.jp/museum/omizuen/. u-Su 9AM-4:30PM. ntrance is free. One of Okayama's largest gardens, Omizuen belonged to Lord Kinoshita of the Ashimori Clan. The garden was designed by the famous poet Enshu.

  • Kinojo Castle. While only the castle walls remain, this site is one of the sites linked to the Momotaro tale. It is said that the demon Ura used this castle as the base from which he would pillage the nearby village.

    '''Note:''' The Koumori-zuka Burial Mound, Okayama Prefectural Kibiji Museum, Bitchu Kokubunji Temple, and Kinojo Castle are located in the part of the trail belonging to the city of Soja. For the purpose of providing a complete guide of the Kibi Plain Cycling Road, they are listed here.

    Other areas

  • Tokoen Garden. ntrance fee: \300. With Korakuen Garden in the city, many visitors don't think of visiting other gardens however, Okayama City is actually a paradise for garden lovers. Although Tokoen Garden is not as big or as famous as Korakuen Garden, it is quite beautiful and less crowded. It's also almost a century older than Korakuen.

  • Handayama Botanical Garden. -1 Hokaiin. 86-252-4183. ttp://www.city.okayama.jp/museum/handayama/. -M 9AM-4:30PM. A Botanical garden filled with various types of flowers. It's particularly beautiful during the spring cherry blossom season; however, one can easily enjoy this garden anytime of the year. It's a 10 minute walk from Hokaiin Station on the JR Tsuyama Line. There are also buses from JR Okayama Station.

  • RSK Rose Garden. SK_o____. 86-293-2121. ttp://www.rsk-baraen.co.jp/. ntrance fee: \500. Yet another excellent place in Okayama to view flowers. As the name suggests, this garden features roses, and it's the largest rose garden in Japan, featuring a wide variety of species of rose from all over the world, best viewed in May and June. Although it's main attraction is the roses, there are also other blossoming plants, such as irises, peonies, and plum trees.

  • Sogenji Temple. ogenji-mae bus stop via Tenmaya Bus Station. A large Zen temple located at the base of Mt. Misaoyama. It is a well known place for western Zen students. Free
  • Hokai-in Temple. @_E_@. -1 Hokaiin. he nearest station is JR Hokaiin Station. 86-252-1769. One of the temples of the Although it is a cycling course, it is possible to use the trail for hiking. If you choose to do this, in order to see all the sites before evening, you should arrive at Bizen Ichinomiya Station no later 10AM. (It is unlikely that you will be able to see any of the other sites in the area, since it will take most of the day to walk the trail.) Hiking the trail is ambitious, as you will also be walking around the grounds of each of the sites along the way, so make sure to wear appropriate footwear and bring food, because at walking pace, you won't reach the restaurants (which are mainly located in the Soja portion) until late in the day. </do>

  • Kirin Beer Park. 78 Mantomi, Seto-cho. huttle bus from Mantomi Station, or walk for about 15 minutes. 86-953-2525. ttp://www.kirin.co.jp/about/brewery/factory/okayama/. u-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM. ntrance is free. For beer-lovers or anyone interested in seeing how beer is made, Okayama's Kirin Beer Factory provides a unique opportunity, as it is the only brewery in Western Honshu. After seeing how the beer is produced, you can sample freshly brewed beer for \400 per pint.

  • Sega Joypolis. ttp://www.sega.co.jp/joypolis/ojp_access.html. A large arcade that_fs a few minutes walk from the station street (ask any young, friendly looking local, they can most likely direct you, and may even join you). Though it looks large, the top floor_fs full of slot machines only. The bottom floor however is full of the latest arcade games including the highly popular Taiko: Drum Master game and the latest iteration of House of the Dead. An excellent way to waste both time and money. Just above the arcade lies _gSegakara_h, a great karaoke venue with themed rooms.

  • Okayama Dome. -1-1 Kitanagaseomote-cho. 86-805-8883. ttp://www.city.okayama.okayama.jp/toshi/ryokusei/homepage/dome/. -M 9AM-9PM. rices vary depending on the activity. For use of the sports facilities, you pay per hour. Not a baseball stadium like its namesakes in Tokyo and Osaka but rather a multi-purpose space which has housed many events from indoor sports to an exhibition of embalmed bodies. It is also the site of Okayama's biggest monthly flea-market.

  • Yuba Onsen. us from Uno Bus station. yen:1500 if not staying in the ryokan. Despite being located within the city limits, it's not well known even by locals. Although the buildings exterior leaves much to be desired, inside is a genuine hot-spring with good facilities and a variety of baths.

  • Tomata Onsen Noritake. 453-2 Kaidani. 86-225-4211. A 2000 year old ''onsen''.

    Events

  • Naked Man Festival. 'Hadaka Matsuri'' ______ . ttp://www.city.okayama.okayama.jp/saidaiji/guide/eyo/English/eyo.htm. Okayama's Naked Man Festival, officially called Saidaiji Eyo, is held annually on the third Saturday in February at midnight at '''Saidaiji Temple'''. (The festival for younger boys is held at 6:00 PM on the same day.) During the coldest month of the year, men wearing only ''fundoshi'' (traditional Japanese loincloths) fight to obtain a single pair of lucky sticks thrown by the temple priests. Other lucky items are also thrown into the crowd.

    The festival originated in the 16th century when people would request special talismans thrown out by priests. As word spread that the talismans were bringing those who possessed them good luck, more and more people came to the temple to request them, giving rise to the festival. Although it is not tangible, because of its long history and tradition, the Saidaiji Eyo been bestowed the honor of being designated a Cultural Asset. </do>

  • Cherry Blossom Festival. One of Okayama's most popular destinations in "cherry blossom season" (usually about two weeks at the beginning of April) is along the Asahi River, which is on the east side of Korakuen Park. About three hundred cherry blossom trees are decorated with Japanese lanterns, and illuminated after sunset. On the first day, a lighting ceremony is held. There are many street stalls, selling for example cotton candy, octopus fritters, and crepes. Their prices are from three hundred to five hundred yen. People gather for barbecues and picnics under the cherry blossom trees. Barbeque sets hired from nearby ''yakiniku'' restaurants offer an alternative to supplying everything and then cleaning the tools afterward.

  • Momotar? Festival. 86-803-1335. Held annually for two days at the beginning of August in commemoration of the lead character of the children's fairytale and his rival, Ura the ogre. The festival involves Okayama's biggest display of fireworks and numerous public dances and parades throughout the city and it's numerous shopping malls. The largest dance parade, the '''Uraja Dance''', is held in the center of Okayama on the street leading from Okayama Station towards City Hall (''Shiyakusho-suji''). Dance participants paint their faces to look like ogres and each team has its own unique homemade costumes. Most teams that participate in the dance competitions and parade practice for half a year, but some teams are active all year round, performing at smaller local festivals or as Uraja ambassadors at festivals throughout Japan. Free parking for the event is available around Okayama Dome.

    Learn

  • '''Okayama University''' [http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/en/shinai_e.html] has around 14,000 students total, with over 500 foreign students from 50 different countries.
  • The '''Okayama Institute of Languages'''[http://www.harenet.ne.jp/oil/location.html] has ties with the highly popular Two Worlds United exchange program. It offers Japanese courses from beginner to advanced.
  • Buy

    The '''Omotecho Shotengai''' (shopping street) is a ten minute walk from JR Okayama Station, or 3 tram stops away on the Higashiyama line (get off at Shiroshita Station). It has everything from game arcades and kimono retailers to antique shops and a multi-story branch of the '''Maruzen bookstore''' chain. From this street one can enter the '''Tenmaya''' shopping center, which has a large food hall perfect for picking and mixing a meal.

    Apart from Tenmaya, there are two other department stores near the shopping street, '''Cred'''' and '''Loft'''. Cred has a large '''Kinokuniya bookstore''' with a sizable selection of English-language and Japanese learning books, as well as a Virgin CD/DVD store. Loft features a toy shop selling novelty dress-up costumes, Studio Ghibli plushies and more; there's also an HMV located in the basement.

  • Animate & Melon Books. lose 8PM. Animate is upstairs with some rare items, and Melon Books is downstairs, with a good selection of Adult comics, ''doujinshi'', and a small selection of figures. They're about a ten minute walk down Omotecho, on the right-hand side.

  • Okayama Ichibangai. kayamaeki Motomachi. 86-232-9411. ttp://www.okayama-ichibangai.co.jp/. 0AM-10PM, hours vary by store. A large shopping complex located below JR Okayama Station. There are many trendy clothing shops, particularly for women. It's also a great place to dine, as there are a variety of delicious and affordable restaurants. There are also souvenirs and various specialty shops that are nice to browse.

  • Okayama Bizen-yaki Factory. __________O___H_[. ram #1 east to Shiroshita. 86-224-3396. '''Bizen-yaki''' (___O__) is a prized form of pottery that originates from the nearby town of Not surprisingly, going along with the "peach boy" theme, one of the famous fruits grown in and around Okayama is the '''white peach''' (____ ''shiromomo''). Okayama is also well known for '''grapes''' (____ ''bud?''), particularly '''muscat''', which have been grown here since 1886 and command 95% of the Japanese market. Known as the "Queen of Fruits", they're priced to match at \2,000 to \10,000 a bunch, while pione grapes can go for as little as \1,000. The best season to eat muscats is the beginning of October, but the best choice for a souvenir are the grape sherbets, jellies and wines, which keep for longer and are easier to get through customs.

    '''Mamakari''' (________), a herring-like fish, is another specialty that can be enjoyed throughout Okayama, as they are fished from the Seto Inland Sea. Another local delicacy is ''sawara'' (__), a white-fleshed fish translated into English alternatively as "trout" or "horse mackerel". A popular takeaway option is '''matsuri-zushi''' (_______i), the local version of ''chirashi-zushi'' (sushi rice dressed with vinegar and topped with egg and seafood), sold in a peach-shaped box at Okayama station kiosks and some restaurants as well.

    Budget

  • Cafe.the Market Mai Mai. F Keizu Terrace. 86-241-3141. pen from 8 AM to midnight. 600-\1200. This is a bakery and desert shop, serving a variety of fresh breads and pastries. Try the Peach Juice (\600), as it is made from the delicious homegrown white peaches.

  • CoCo Curry House. ttp://www.ichibanya.co.jp/shop/search/shopdetail.html?fkeyword=&fpref=%89%AA%8ER%8C%A7&fi=1196. 650-900. Home to some of Japan's best curry, it's a great choice for those who want delicious food for less money. Be aware that, unlike many Japanese curries, the spicier curries are in fact, spicy.

  • Fujiya. -3-8. 86-253-9759. ttp://www.fujiya.biz/. h-Tu 11AM-7:30 PM. 650. A ''soba'' restaraunt that has gained fame for its delicious ''chuuka soba'' (Chinese ''soba'' noodles).

  • Ramen Ikki. -24-31 Ima. 86-243-5520. u-Su 11AM-10PM. 600-\700. A very popular ''ramen'' shop with its own special Ikki Ramen dish.

  • Tandoor. th floor of Cred. 86-212-2569. ttp://www.tandoor-jp.com/. 1AM-9:30 PM. A tasty Indian restaurant serving all the typical curry dishes.

  • Tenjin Soba. -19 Tenjin-cho. 86-223-7057. -F 11AM-4:40 PM. verage price \750. Named after the dish it is most famous for, ''tenjin soba''. This is considered to be the best ''soba'' restaurant in the city, as the flavor of the ''tenjin soba'' is truly "heavenly".

  • Torisoba. -7-24 Omotemachi. 86-236-0310. ttp://www.torisoba.com/. 320-990. A great place to find cheap ''soba'' and ''udon'' dishes.

  • Yamato. -9-7 Omotemachi. 86-232-3944. 1 AM to 7 PM. Closed Tuesdays. yen;700. Another one of Okayama's popular places to eat Chinese ''soba''

    Mid-range

  • Ajitsuka no Mura. -10 Heiwa-cho. 86-222-2234. 1AM-9PM. rices range from \560-\1600. This restaurant serves a variety of katsu dishes, the most popular being the roast katsu (\1200).

  • Contents Cafe. -6-56 Omote-cho. 86-222-0488. 1:30AM-10:30PM. rices range from \500-\1500. As it mainly serves desserts, it's a bit pricey, but the grape parfait (''budou pafe'' \900) is particularly delicious, as it contains fresh muscat grapes from the prefecture's many grape farms. They also have peone parfaits available from July to November.

  • Heartland and Ryoutei. -6-19 Tamachi. 86-233-3959. ttp://www.233-3959.com/heartland/food-menu.html. 2PM-12 AM. 700-\1800. Serves a wide variety of pasta, meat, and seafood dishes.

  • Kotoya. Chome, Tamachi. 86-221-5108. ttp://www.grand-group.com/ko-to-ya/. :30PM-12AM.

  • Onmaku Sushi Aoe. -15 Aoe, 1 chome. 86-803-3541. ttp://www.onmaku.co.jp/aoe/shop.cgi. 1AM-10:30PM. One of Okayama's most popular sushi restaurants.

  • Torattoria Mizuochi. -3-3 Uchisange. 86-234-1122. 2PM-2PM, 6PM-9:30PM. unch course \1200, dinner course \4000. This is a classy Italian restaurant, serving delicious pastas, breads, and desserts. The price of food changes dramatically from lunch to dinner, so if you want to eat great food for a reasonable price, be sure to come during lunch hours.

    Splurge

  • Asuka. ___. 0-10 Ekimoto-cho. ttp://www.bco.jp/asuka/. Serves ''aji sashimi'', vinegared ''aji'' and deep-fried ''aji'', along with a variety of other ''sashimi''. Perhaps more of a drinking spot/pub than a restaurant, Asuka is still a fine place for food and drink and an excellent place to experience "after-work Japan" in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. It's across the street from the west side of Okayama Station.

  • Hamasaku. -65 Omote-cho. 86-223-1515. ttp://ww1.tiki.ne.jp/~hamasaku/. 1:30AM-2PM, 5PM-10PM. yen;3150 and up.

  • Kanshiki Teppanabe Tanatana. -7-24 Ekimae-cho. 86-225-3577. ttp://www.tanatana.jp/. PM-12AM. 3-5000. One of Okayama's most popular (and expensive) Korean restaurants, most famous for its Korean-style hot pot.

  • Kappou Mamakari. -9-2 Omote-cho. 86-232-1549. ttp://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~mamakari/shop/. 1:30AM-1PM, 5PM-9:30PM. ome of the cheapest meals cost \2625, but prices vary widely, with some meals costing more than \10,000. The best place in Okayama to dine on the city's famous '''mamakari''', fresh from the Bizen, known for its vast history of pottery and sword making, you can discover the history and even purchase authentic Bizen pottery
  • Kurashiki, known for its well-preserved merchant quarters and Japan's oldest art museum, is only 15 minutes away.
  • Tsuyama, known for '''Kakuzan Park''', the best place to view cherry blossoms in Okayama Prefecture, as well as for its historic '''Joto street''' and '''Shurakuen Garden'''.
  • Takahashi, known for '''Bitchu Matsuyama Castle''', one of only twelve remaining original castles in Japan and also the highest castle.
  • Soja, known for the famous '''Hofukuji Temple''' where the famous priest and poet Sesshu once studied, as well as containing half of the '''Kibiji District Trail''' which extends out from Okayama.
  • Niimi, a city famous for '''Ikura Ravine''' and '''Maki Cave'''
  • Yunogo Onsen (hot spring)
  • And in neighboring prefectures, but within day-trip distances are:

  • Takamatsu, known for '''Ritsurin Park''', one of the largest gardens in Japan, as well as the historic '''Yashima Island''' where one of the final battles of the Gempei War took place.
  • Marugame, known as the home of '''Marugame Castle''', one of Japan's remaining original castles.
  • Kotohira, home to Shikoku's largest shrine '''Konpirasan''', is one hour away by express train.
  • Naoshima, a small island on Seto Inland Sea with superb contemporary art museums, can be easily reached from Uno port (one hour by JR train).
  • Himeji, most famous for '''Himeji Castle''', the striking White Egret Castle, is 50 kilometers to the east along the Sanyo line.
  • <!--WEB-END-->