A course to enjoy classic spots in Okayama Prefecture and Japanese culture

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.

This castle was built by Ukita Hideie, a vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and one of the Five Elders of Toyotomi. The unusual scalene pentagonal, three-story, six-storey castle tower has a dignified appearance, and its black clapboard exterior has earned it the nickname "Ujo Ujo (Crow Castle)." From the Mogami, you can look down on the Asahikawa, and enjoy a 360-degree view of Okayama Korakuen Garden and the city. The original castle tower was destroyed in an air raid in 1945 (Showa 20), but has now been rebuilt, with the lord's room and other areas restored. On the first floor, there is a Bizen Pottery workshop where you can try your hand at clay twisting. In addition, the popular " U-jo (Crow Castle)Togenkyo " event is held in spring, summer and autumn, where the Okayama Castle tower and surrounding area are lit up.

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!

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, where you can enjoy the quaint scenery such as white-walled storehouses, sea cucumber walls, and rows of willow trees.The townscape created by traditional buildings and the retro-modern scenery along the Kurashiki River are popular all over the world. It continues to attract people.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 bustling 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.

Taste parfaits, crepes, gelato, juices, etc. 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 Yubara Dam, it is a popular hot spring area that spreads along the Asahi River. The hot spring water is high in volume and has a high alkaline quality, making it smooth to the touch. The symbol of the hot spring town is the spring that springs from the river bed. Sunayu is a large natural open-air bath made from hot springs. Thanks to the cooperation of local people, it is open 24 hours a day for free, so you can enjoy the natural hot springs in the middle of nature anytime. It has been rated as the ``Yokozuna of the West'' in the national open-air bath ranking, and you can enjoy baths with different temperatures: Bijin-no-yu, Kotara-no-yu, and Choshu-no-yu.

Located in Osafune Town, which has prospered as a production center for Japanese swords since the Kamakura period, this is a rare museum in Japan that exhibits swords, mainly Bizen swords. There is a sword forging workshop on the premises, where you can actually observe the various manufacturing processes related to Japanese swords, such as the traditional forging of Japanese swords, the production of sword armor, engraving on the blade, and sharpening. Once a month, it is possible to observe the ``ancient forging'' in which tamahagane is hammered out at a high temperature of 1,200 degrees, and it has become so popular that Japanese sword fans from overseas flock to it. The sight of a craftsman powerfully striking the steel and sparks flying is truly impressive! This is the work that gave rise to the word “commitment.”

There are shops displaying Bizen ware, which has a unique earthy taste and a calm atmosphere, reminiscent of the past, as well as brick chimneys and rows of houses surrounded by mud walls. The Bizen Ware Museum in front of the station displays masterpieces of ancient art as well as representative works by modern pottery artists. In addition, the town of Inbe is home to many pottery makers and artists.

In 1670, Ikeda Mitsumasa, the feudal lord of Okayama, founded Japan's first "public school for the common people." Built deep in a valley, the school was named Shizutani School. Many capable leaders who would go on to shape Japan's history came from here. The stately lecture hall with its gabled roof is worthy of being called the "Hall of Learning." It has been designated a national treasure. The area is dotted with facilities designated as important cultural properties by the nation, including the shrine where a statue of Confucius, the father of Confucianism, is enshrined.
In 2015, it was recognized as the first Japan Heritage Site along with the "Special Historic Site of the Former Kodokan (Ibaraki Prefecture)," "Historic Site of the Ashikaga School (Tochigi Prefecture)," and "Historic Site of Kan'i-en (Oita Prefecture)" as "Educational Heritage Sites of Early Modern Japan - The Source of the Spirit of Learning and Etiquette."

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