Okayama, Japan

Okayama is located in the Sanyo region of Japan. It borders Hyogo Prefecture to the east, Hiroshima Prefecture to the west, faces the Seto Inland Sea and Shikoku region to the south, and borders Tottori Prefecture in the Sanin region to the north. It is a major transportation hub in the Chugoku region. Okayama has many attractions worth visiting. Here are some of the main ones: History and Culture - Okayama Castle: Also known as Crow Castle, it was originally built in 1597 and rebuilt in 1966 after being destroyed in World War II. Its black walls make it unique. The museum inside the castle displays the history of Okayama Castle and important archaeological finds. You can overlook the entire city of Okayama from the top of the castle. - Saijo Inari: One of Japan's three great Inari shrines, it is a rare syncretic Shinto-Buddhist temple. The huge vermilion torii gates are very eye-catching and distinctive. - Momotaro Statue: Located in front of JR Okayama Station, it is a representative statue of Okayama as the hometown of Momotaro. There are a monkey and a dog at the foot of the statue, and a pheasant stands on Momotaro's shoulder. Momotaro raises his left hand to his brow and looks towards Onigashima (Demon Island). Gardens and Landscapes - Korakuen Garden: Along with Kairakuen in Mito and Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, it is considered one of the three most famous gardens in Japan. It was originally built in 1687. The garden has a large lawn, ponds, and small hills. Its design incorporates the strengths of gardens and landscapes from various dynasties and places. You can also enjoy unique landscapes such as the "O-tateishi" (large standing stone) and "Yushinzan" (Mount Yushin). - Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter: With a history of over 400 years, it is a nationally protected historical district in Japan. The townscape of the Edo period is well preserved, with white walls and black tiles along the riverbanks, weeping willows, and rickshaws passing through the stone-paved alleyways. Visitors can take a boat ride to enjoy the old streetscape where white walls and earthen storehouses blend together. - Handayama Botanical Garden: This is a hillside botanical garden with 1,000 cherry trees. It is especially beautiful in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Visitors can relax and picnic on the grass here and enjoy a pleasant time. Leisure and Entertainment - Washuzan Highland: Located in Kurashiki City, it is one of the best amusement parks in Okayama, with daily samba performances, bungee jumping, and many other attractions. The four-story Sky Cycle is very famous, and you can see Kagawa Prefecture across the water from here. - Kojima Jeans Street: Kojima is known throughout Japan as a top denim manufacturer. Visitors can shop at the many denim stores here and participate in custom jeans workshops to experience making their own jeans.