A course to enjoy the history and fruits of Okayama City, Kurashiki City, Maniwa City, and Takahashi City

A large garden built by Tsunamasa Ikeda, the second lord of the Okayama domain, as a place for relaxation. The spacious garden, decorated with seasonal flowers, is a different world just like the Edo period. In 1952, it was designated as a “Special Place of Scenic Beauty” as a historical and cultural heritage site, and received a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Various events are held throughout the four seasons, such as tea gathering and moon viewing, and for a limited time, you can enjoy the ``Fantasy Garden,'' which is specially opened at night and lights up the garden in a different way than during the day. Volunteer guides (free of charge) are also popular with tourists.

Take a leisurely stroll on the Asahi River, which flows between Okayama Korakuen and Okayama Castle, on a peach-shaped boat.
There are also swan boats and row boats.

A castle built by Hideie Ukita, a vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and one of the Five Elders of Toyotomi. The three-story, six-story castle tower, which has a rare scalene pentagonal shape, has a dignified appearance, and is also called ``Ujo'' because of its black clapboard exterior. From the top floor, you can see Asahikawa below, and enjoy a 360-degree view of Okayama Korauen Garden and the city. The original castle tower was burnt down in an air raid in 1945 (Showa 20), but it has now been rebuilt, with parts such as the castle lord's room restored. There is a Bizen ware workshop on the first floor, where you can try your hand at making clay. In addition, the ``Ujo Togenkyo'' event, in which Okayama Castle's castle tower and its surroundings are lit up in spring, summer, and autumn, is gaining popularity.

This workshop is located in Karasujo Park, where Okayama Castle is located, where you can experience twisting Bizen baked clay. Our experienced staff will carefully teach you, so anyone from children to adults can easily enjoy making Bizen ware.
We have everything you need including an apron, so you don't have to bring anything!

[Beautiful white-walled townscape filled with history and art] The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter offers a quaint landscape with white-walled warehouses, sea cucumber walls, and rows of willow trees. The townscape created by traditional buildings and the retro-modern scenery along the Kurashiki River continue to fascinate people from all over the world. It is lined with stylish shops selling Kurashiki brands such as Kurashiki Canvas and Kurashiki Denim, as well as cafes in renovated townhouses, and is crowded with tourists all year round. There are many cultural facilities such as the Ohara Museum of Art and Ivy Square, so you can spend a whole day walking around this area.

Would you like to wear a kimono or yukata and walk through the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter? If you rent a kimono or yukata, they will help you put it on.
Advance reservations are required.

You can enjoy parfaits, crepes, gelato, juices, and more, all made with plenty of seasonal fruits.

``GREENable HIRUZEN'' is a base facility to spread awareness of the value of sustainability to as many people as possible. This facility was designed and supervised by architect Kengo Kuma, and was relocated from a wooden building that was once used in Harumi, Tokyo.
The removable building, which is not possible with conventional concrete buildings, has become a symbol of the brand, as a decarbonized and sustainable architecture, and as a symbol of the exchange of resources and culture between cities and regions.
The facility consists of a visitor center and shop that sells goods that allow you to practice sustainability, the Maniwa City Hiruzen Museum that disseminates art and culture, a cycling center that offers experiential programs, and the CLT Pavilion ``Kazenoha''.

Located at the foot of Kami Hiruzen Mountain, you can see the majestic sight of Hiruzen Sanza and Jersey cows grazing leisurely. You can see through the window a factory that manufactures dairy products such as Jersey yogurt and cheese made from Jersey milk, which has a refreshing and rich flavor, and you can enjoy soft-serve ice cream and assorted Jersey sausages at the restaurant and shop. There are also dishes made with Jersey beef, and in addition to steaks and curries, there are more than 10 dishes that allow you to enjoy the deliciousness of red meat, such as roast beef bowls.

Located downstream of the Yubara Dam, this popular hot spring resort stretches along the Asahi River. The amount of hot water is large and the quality of the hot spring is highly alkaline, making the skin feel smooth. The symbol of the hot spring town is the large natural open-air bath "Sunayu" made of hot spring water that wells up from the bottom of the river. It is open 24 hours a day for free, so you can enjoy the natural hot springs in the great outdoors at any time. It has been praised as one of the "West Yokozuna" in the national open-air bath ranking, and you can enjoy baths with different temperatures, such as Bijin-no-Yu, Kodakara-no-Yu, and Choju-no-Yu.

Nearby sightseeing spots include Hiruzen Kogen, a vast plateau that is very popular with families. Dairy products made from jersey cattle that are raised on pastures are also recommended as souvenirs. About 200 wild monkeys may welcome you at Kanba Falls, which was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.

[A nostalgic landscape unified with the red color] Fukiya, nestled in the heart of the Chugoku Mountains, is a town built by wealthy merchants who amassed enormous wealth from the production of red red iron and its raw material, loha. The red-colored townscape is impressive with its copper-colored Sekishu tiles and red-colored exterior. The elaborately designed mansions of wealthy merchants are worth a visit. It has also been designated as a ``Furusato Village'' in Okayama Prefecture. The experience plan where you can make handkerchiefs and bags using red red paint is also popular.

It is the only mountain castle in Japan with a castle tower remaining, and is one of 12 castles with surviving castle towers from the Edo period. Huge rock walls over 10 meters high tower around the mountain castle, and it still has the appearance of an "impregnable castle." Recently, it has become a popular photo spot nationwide as a "mountain castle floating in the sea of clouds," and many fans visit from early in the morning during the season when the sea of clouds can be seen. If you want to take photos of the fantastical mountain castle scenery, head to the Unkai Observatory. Try to visit at dawn between September and April, when the sea of clouds appears.

This is a facility where you can enjoy harvesting experiences such as picking seasonal fruits grown on a lush farm and digging potatoes. We offer experience plans such as strawberry picking in the spring, pear picking and grape picking from summer to fall. All freshly picked fruits are delicious and popular with families with children. Additionally, in the fall, the town's specialty ``Yam Festival'' is held, where you can enjoy dishes made with fresh yam. The cafe menu, which uses fruit such as parfaits and drinks, is also popular.

It is one of the largest comprehensive tourist farms in Chugoku and Shikoku. Strawberry picking is popular, with about 40,000 people visiting each year. Their soft serve ice cream made with freshly picked strawberries from the farm is also popular. The park also has a direct sales store selling flowers, vegetables, and processed products, as well as a bakery.

Returning the rental car