[Okayama/Kurashiki] A tour of the beautiful cityscapes of Okayama, the land of sunshine, recommended by Gold-Guide

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.

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.

[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.