'''Okayama prefecture''' [http://www.optic.or.jp/welcome/english/top.html] (___R__ ''Okayama-ken'') is in the western Chugoku region of the main Japanese island Honshu.

Understand

Okayama Prefecture is known as the "Land of Sunshine", because it has more sunny days and fewer rainy days than most other prefectures in Japan, making it a very liveable area, but also quite nice for travelers. The prefecture is famous for its fruits, particularly its peaches and grapes. Over half of the peaches sold in Japan come from Okayama. It is also famous for its textile industry, with over half of the school uniforms in Japan produced here, particularly in Ibara and Kurashiki.

Cities

  • Kurashiki Old merchant town with a well-preserved historical quarter.
  • Okayama The prefectural capital, with a brooding black castle and peachy festivals.
  • Tsuyama A city famous for its well-preserved historic district and Kakuzan Park, the best place in the Chugoku area for Cherry Blossom viewing.
  • Takahashi An old castle town that is home to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, one of the few remaining original castles of Japan and also the highest.
  • Soja Home to Houfukuji Temple, where the priest Sesshu is said to have painted a mouse with only his tears.
  • Niimi A great place for nature-lovers, Niimi has two famous caves that visitors can enjoy.
  • Kume
  • Bizen The birthplace of both Bizen swords and Bizen pottery, famous throughout Japan.
  • Kumenan Small town in central Okayama with the peaceful atmosphere typical of the Japanese countryside.
  • Talk

    Get in

    By plane

    '''Okayama airport''' (OKA) has flights to Tokyo (1 hr), Sapporo (2 hrs) and Naha on Okinawa (2 hrs). There are also international flights to Shanghai and Seoul (both 1.5 hrs).

    By train

    Okayama is a hub for trains: it's a station of the '''San'yo Shinkansen''' line connecting Kyushu and Hiroshima towards Osaka, and there are frequent departures south across the Seto Inland Sea to Takamatsu and other points in Shikoku.

    By car

    The Chugoku Expressway passes through Tsuyama and Niimi.

    Get around

    See

  • Take a stroll through '''Korakuen Garden''', one of Japan's top three gardens (Okayama)
  • See the majestic '''Bitchu Matsuyama Castle''', one of the few remaining original castles in Japan, as well as the highest (Takahashi)
  • Browse the shops and museums in the beautiful '''Bikan Historic District''', one of the largest and best preserved historic districts in the nation (Kurashiki)
  • Tour the '''Shizutani School''', the first school in Japan to be open to all citizens regardless of rank or class (Bizen)
  • View the large collection of famous European artwork at the '''Ohara Museum of Art''' (Kurashiki)
  • Discover the production methods of '''Bizen Pottery''' and '''Bizen swords''', once the best in Japan, at the '''Bizen Osafune Museum''' and '''Okayama Prefectural Museum of Bizen Pottery''' (Bizen)
  • Wander the grounds of '''Saijo Inari''', considered to be one of Japan's three great Inari shrines (Okayama)
  • Visit '''Iyama Hofukuji Temple''' where the famous poet and priest Sesshu once studied (Soja)
  • Explore the beautiful '''Ikura Ravine''' and '''Maki Cave''' (Niimi)
  • Walk among the mysterious rock formations on '''Ojigatake Hill''' (Tamano)
  • Relax on '''Washuzan Hill''' and enjoy views of the Seto Inland Sea and '''Seto Ohashi Bridge''' (Kurashiki)
  • Do

  • View the thousands of cherry blossoms as you stroll among the ruins of '''Tsuyama Castle''' (Tsuyama)
  • Learn about the History of Okayama Prefecture and the story that inspired the tale of '''Momotaro''' as you bike (or hike) along the '''Kibiji District Trail''' (Okayama)
  • Partake in the festivities celebrating Momotaro at the '''Momotaro Festival''' (Okayama)
  • Hot Springs

    The most famous hot springs in the prefecture are '''Yubara Hot Springs''', '''Yunogo Hot Springs''', and '''Okutsu Hot Spring''', all located in the northern part of the prefecture. Each of these make great getaway destinations to relax and rejuvinate.

    If these are too far out of the way, you can also try '''Niimi Chiya Hot Springs''' in Niimi, '''Asagiri Onsen''' in Takahashi, or '''Green Hills Tsuyama''' in Tsuyama. The '''Seto Ohashi Spa Resort''' in Kurashiki is also well worth a visit.

    Eat

  • Okayama's '''Muscat grapes''' and '''peaches''' are the tastiest in the nation.
  • '''Kibi Dango''' is a famous treat that originated in Bizen in Okayama Prefecture.
  • Drink

    As you might expect from a grape-growing region, Okayama is famous for wine (at least in Japan). There is "Sapporo Okayama winery" that represents West Japan.

    Get out

  • Shikoku Okayama is the main point of access to Shikoku from Honshu via the '''Seto Ohashi Bridge''' and the Marine Liner. Kagawa Prefecture features the breathtaking '''Ritsurin Garden''' and the historic '''Yashima Island''', where the Battle of Yashima took place during the Gempei Wars in the city of Takamatsu. Throughout the island of Shikoku are the famous temples of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage. In Marugame lies one of Japan's original castles, '''Marugame Castle'''. From Kagawa Prefecture, you can travel onward to Kochi Prefecture, Ehime Prefecture, or Tokushima Prefecture.
  • Hyogo Prefecture located to the east, is home to Himeji, a city most famous for its well-preserved white castle. Further travel will take you to Kobe, a harbor city.
  • Tottori Prefecture to the north is most famous for its natural sites, including the '''Tottori Sand Dunes''', the only dunes in Japan, located in Tottori City. In the eastern region lies Daisen, home to '''Mount Daisen''', a popular place for climbing, hiking, and skiing (in the winter). '''Daisen-ji Temple''' is also located on this mountain. The '''Mitokusan Nageiredo''' is a mysterious temple built on a cliff in Misasa in which to this day nobody knows how it was built.
  • Hiroshima Prefecture lies to the west of Okayama Prefecture. The nearest city is Fukuyama, featuring a variety of art and historical museums, as well as '''Fukuyama Castle'''. The most famous sites in this prefecture are '''Genbaku Dome''' in '''Peace Park''' and the '''Atomic Bomb Memorial Museum''' in the city of Hiroshima and '''Itsukushima Shrine''' on Miyajima Island. Onomichi is another interesting destination with its own '''88 Temples of Innoshima''', inspired by the famous 88 Temple Pilgrimage of Shikoku. It also has many places to view flowers and the '''Innoshima Suigun Castle'''.