Top 5 Sights to See in Okayama

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Top photo: Shino on Unsplash 

Are you looking for a city that offers all the modern comforts, but also rustic charms? Do you want plenty of green to go along with that urban grey? Are you seeking out a place in Japan that encapsulates the “old meets new” philosophy even better than Tokyo? Then maybe it’s time to give one of the lesser-known prefectures a try and come on over to Okayama!

If you’re familiar with the popular hero of Japanese folklore, Momotarō (桃太郎, “Peach Boy”), Okayama is his hometown! West of Kansai but not quite as far as Hiroshima, Okayama is known as the “Land of Sunshine”, purportedly because it has more sunny days and fewer rainy days than other prefectures in Japan. This makes it a very livable area, but also quite a nice one for travelers just like me!

Here are my top 5 sights on interest in Okayama:

Okayama Kōrakuen Garden (岡山後楽園)

Okayama Korakuen Garden is a picture-perfect landscape garden, and often viewed as the main attraction in all of Okayama.

Okayama Korakuen is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, the best-of-the-best known nationwide among horticulturists, flower aficionados and admirers of all things beautiful. It is located just beside Okayama Castle, which can be seen from the garden. One can truly feel an aesthetic sense of old Japanese culture in this part of Okayama City.

You can also enjoy the cherry blossoms during spring, and kōyō season in particular is spectacular in the garden. They also hold a light-up event every spring (Golden Week), summer, and autumn called Genso Teien (Fantasy Garden). During the event, you can enjoy the Japanese street food stalls called Yatai (you might remember the last time I wrote about some of those!)

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area (倉敷美観地区)

Kurashiki Bican Historic Area is like a miniature Kyoto in Okayama. The place is surrounded by traditional Japanese houses, white stone walls, traditional buildings, and a historically attractive atmosphere.

One of the popular activities here in Kurashiki’s historic area is the traditional boat tour of Kurashiki Canal, and experiencing wearing Yukata or Kimono while strolling through Kurashiki’s historic streets.

The Bikan Historical Quarter also offers washoku (Japanese cuisine) restaurants and local confection shops where visitors can enjoy a real taste of traditional Japanese food. And in the evening, this area is… well, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Kibitsu Shrine (吉備津神社)

Kibitsu Shrine is the gem of the Kibi Plain in Okayama Prefecture. It’s an area surrounded by gardens and trees, full of history, culture, and mythology.

Kibitsu Shrine is closely inspired by the famous Japanese folk tale “Momotarō.” It was rebuilt in 1425, and the building at the heart of the shrine is considered a National Treasure.

During the rainy season (early to mid-July), you can see the beautiful Ajisai (Hydrangea) along with the shrine. For a souvenir, you can buy famous peach-shaped ‘romance amulets’ known as “Momomamori.”

Kirin Beer Factory (岡山キリンビール工場)

Are you a beer lover? If yes, you should definitely try to experience a tour at the Kirin beer factory! Kirin has a long history that is closely tied to the history of beer in Japan, and Okayama’s beer factory is one of Japan’s leading beer producers.

You can participate in the tour for free (but make sure you make a reservation!) to see the detailed brewing process, product packaging, and commentary provided by a Japanese tour guide. After the tour, participants can taste at least three cups of fresh beer or other Kirin drink products.

Kasaoka Bay Farm Flower Garden (笠岡ベイファーム)

Want to relax with the stunning view of flowers? This place is perfect for you!

Kasaoka Bay Farm is known as one of western Japan’s best flower gardens, and you can enjoy seasonal flowers nearly all year round. You can get there by bus from JR Kasaoka station.

You can see about 10 million canola flowers in March and April, 10 million poppies in May, one million sunflowers from June to August, and 30 million cosmos flowers in October.

Those are my five picks, but I encourage you to come out here and find your own as well! There’s a lot of activities, food, and souvenirs that can’t be found or experienced anywhere else! I’m sure you’ll find lots of gifts you’d want to take home and lots of memories you’ll want to brag about!

Thank you for reading taking time to read, and I hope you enjoy your stay in Okayama in the future!

Okayama is beautiful place. But why just settle for living in a small town when you could live and work right in Okayama City, with easy access to all of the above? Now you can as an Assistant Language Teacher! For more information, read all about the job of an ALT!

Photo Credits:

Top photo: Shino on Unsplash 

Some information and photos cited in an earlier version of this article came from Okayama Kanko Net.

All other content (text) created by the original author and © 2021 MUSUBI by Borderlink

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Sayaka Kondo

Has lived in Japan for many years
And calls it home!