A course that visits 4 of Japan's 100 famous castles in 2 days and 1 night

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.

Tsunamasa Ikeda, the second lord of the Okayama domain, built this large garden as a place for relaxation. The spacious garden, decorated with seasonal flowers, is reminiscent of the Edo period. Another world.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.A variety of events are held throughout the four seasons, such as tea gathering and moon viewing. In addition, 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.

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

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.

Yunogo Onsen is said to have been discovered by Ennin about 1,200 years ago when he saw a white heron healing a wound on his leg. Also known as "Sagi no Yu", it is a famous hot spring known throughout the country. The colorless and transparent hot water is popular among women as a hot spring for beautiful skin. There are fun facilities such as the free footbath "Fureai no Yu" and the day-trip hot spring facility "Yunogo Sagi Onsenkan". In early summer, you can enjoy the scenery of fireflies dancing along the Oya River.

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.

Raikyu-ji Temple is said to be one of the Ankoku-ji temples built by Ashikaga Takauji in various provinces, and its garden is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. The garden is a dry landscape garden built by Kobori Enshu, who was appointed to the area as the magistrate of Bitchu Province, and is attracting attention as a garden that shows the origins of Enshu gardens. Completed in the early Edo period, it shows characteristics of the late Momoyama period, and it is valuable that it has been preserved in its original form.

One of Japan's 100 Famous Castles. An ancient mountain castle said to have been built by the Yamato Imperial Court for the defense of the country. Kinojo Castle is not mentioned in any history books, and its history remains a mystery. Currently, historical sites are being surveyed, maintained, and restored, and you can visit the ruins of the corner tower and castle gate. The panoramic view from the restored west gate is spectacular. In front of the summit, there is the Soja City Kinojo Visitor Center, which introduces the restoration process and what the ruins looked like when they were excavated. We also recommend the 2.8km long walking course that follows the castle walls.

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