A course to enjoy the nature and history of Okayama, Kurashiki, Maniwa, and Kagamino.

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A course to enjoy the nature and history of Okayama, Kurashiki, Maniwa, and Kagamino.

This is a course where you can enjoy the nature and history of Maniwa and Kagamino, a classic spot in Okayama Prefecture.

Latest update :
Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

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Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chuo of Western Japan, and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It is conveniently located halfway between famous tourist spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is also the gateway to Shikoku via the Great Seto Bridge. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and the fruits that grow in the warm climate of the Seto Inland Sea and sunshine are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-famous tourist spots such as Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which are renowned for their history, culture, and art!

Required time

2 nights 3 days

Transportation
train Train
directions_car_filled Car
directions_walk On foot
Day 1

1
Okayama station

train
5 minutes by tram from JR Okayama Station, get off at Shiroshita

directions_walk
10 minutes on foot

2
Okayama Korakuen Garden
Okayama Korakuen Garden

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.

directions_walk
Short walk

3
peach boat
peach boat

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.

directions_walk
Short walk (across Asahikawa)

4
Okayama Castle (Ujo)
Okayama Castle (Ujo)

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.

5
Okayama Castle Bizen Ware Workshop
Okayama Castle Bizen Ware Workshop

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!

Stay in Okayama city

Day 2
train
17 minutes on the Sanyo Main Line from JR Okayama Station, get off at JR Kurashiki Station

directions_walk
15 minutes on foot

6
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

[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.

7
Kurashiki Kimono Komachi Bikan Historical Store
Kurashiki Kimono Komachi Bikan Historical Store

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.

8
Kurashiki Momoko Kurashiki main store
Kurashiki Momoko Kurashiki main store

You can enjoy parfaits, crepes, gelato, juices, etc. made with plenty of seasonal fruits.

directions_car_filled
Rent a car near Kurashiki Station 1 hour and 30 minutes by car (via expressway)

9
GREENable HIRUZEN
GREENable HIRUZEN

``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''.

directions_car_filled
5 minutes by car

10
Hiruzen Jersey Land
Hiruzen Jersey Land

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.

Staying in Hiruzen

Day 3
directions_car_filled
55 minutes by car

11
Okutsukei Valley
Okutsukei Valley

Okutsu Gorge is a 3km long valley where you can enjoy a beautiful and varied valley. It is known as a famous spot for autumn leaves in Okayama Prefecture, and many tourists from outside the prefecture visit during the season. The ``Autumn Leaves Walk'' with a local guide is also popular at this time of year, and it is said that if you take a walk along the mountain stream while enjoying nature and history, you will be energized by the negative ions. We recommend walking while enjoying the kobushi and rhododendrons in the spring, and the cool fresh greenery in the summer. There is a promenade along the river where you can enjoy the rare group of potholes.

directions_car_filled
35 minutes by car

12
Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park)
Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park)

The symbol of Tsuyama City, which has been selected as one of Japan's ``100 Famous Castles'' and ``Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.'' The castle was built in 1616 by Tadamasa Mori, the younger brother of Ranmaru Mori, who was killed in the Honnoji Incident. All of the buildings were demolished due to the Meiji Castle Abandonment Order, but Bicchu Yagura was restored in 2005 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the castle's construction. It has become a new popular spot along with the stone wall that boasts a height of over 10 meters. It is also known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture, and the scenery with about 1,000 cherry blossom trees in full bloom is spectacular.
Cherry blossom season: Early April to mid-April (approximately 1,000 trees)
Wisteria season: Late April to early May
Azaleas season: Late April to early May
Hydrangea season: Mid-June to late June
Autumn leaves season: Late October to mid-November

directions_car_filled
7 minutes by car

13
Joto Townscape (Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings)
Joto Townscape (Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings)

The Joto Townscape Preservation District faces the Old Izumo Highway on the east side of the castle town of Tsuyama. It is a series of buildings that still retain the features of those days, such as sea cucumber walls, side walls, and insect cage windows. Must-see spots include the Sakushu Joto Residence with its impressive fire watch tower and the Joto Mukashi Machiya, a preserved townhouse built in the Edo period! You can feel the remnants of the castle town even in the small alleys, each with its own name. In 2013, it was selected as an important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings.

directions_car_filled
1 hour 15 minutes by car

14
Okayama station
Okayama station

Return rental car

Spots introduced in this itinerary

Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chuo of Western Japan, and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It is conveniently located halfway between famous tourist spots such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is also the gateway to Shikoku via the Great Seto Bridge. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and the fruits that grow in the warm climate of the Seto Inland Sea and sunshine are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-famous tourist spots such as Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which are renowned for their history, culture, and art!

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