Japan's hidden gems : 5 retro townscapes to visit in Okayama

• Table of Contents
• [Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter] A journey to experience the traditional white-walled streets and history
• [Fukiya Furusato Village] Experience historical Japan in a beautiful Bengala-colored townscape
• [Katsuyama Townscape Preservation District] A town where history and art come together
• [Tsuyama Castle Town] A trip to enjoy Japanese history and fine cuisine
• [About 30 minutes by bus from Fukuyama Station] Enjoy Japanese history and delicious food in the good old port town of Tomonoura!

[Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter] A journey to experience the traditional white-walled streets and history

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is a beautiful tourist destination where traditional Japanese scenery blends with modern charm. It is a charming area lined with white-walled storehouses and black-tiled roofs that date back to the Edo period, and willow trees line the river. It is a great spot for taking photos, with an atmosphere that makes you feel like you have traveled back in time to old Japan.

There are also many shops and cafes where you can enjoy local specialties such as traditional crafts and denim products, making for a great place to eat and shop.

Access: 10 minutes on foot from JR Kurashiki Station

Book a tour to Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

710-0046 1-4-8 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture

[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.

[Fukiya Furusato Village] Experience historical Japan in a beautiful Bengala-colored townscape

This village prospered from copper mining and the production of Bengala (a red clay pigment) between 1600 and 1912, and even today, buildings painted with Bengala still stand side by side. The uniformly reddish-brown streets have a unique atmosphere that is unlike any other, making you feel as if you have traveled back in time. Surrounded by nature, the village has a quiet, relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy the scenery of each season. You can also experience Bengala dyeing and make your own original accessories, which make great souvenirs.

Access: 1.5 hours by car from Okayama Station

Book a tour to Fukiya Furusato Village

Fukiya Furusato Village

719-2341 Fukiya, Nariwacho, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture

[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.

[Katsuyama Townscape Preservation District] A town where history and art come together

It is a beautiful historical area that strongly retains the atmosphere of Japan from around 1600 to 1868, and the streets lined with merchant houses are decorated with "noren" curtains. These "noren" curtains are a fusion of local tradition and modern art, and each shop has a unique design, making it fun to stroll around wondering "What kind of shop is this?"

The historic streets and relaxed atmosphere are perfect for relaxing and forgetting about time. There are also long-established sake breweries and facilities where you can experience local culture and crafts such as dyeing, allowing you to experience traditional Japanese culture.

Access: 5 minutes on foot from JR Chugoku Katsuyama Station

Book a tour to the Katsuyama Town Preservation District

Katsuyama Townscape Preservation District

717-0013 Katsuyama, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture

[A townscape full of atmosphere, colored with plant-dyed curtains] Katsuyama flourished as a post town on the Izumo Highway. The old townscape, including the old white-walled storehouses and merchant houses with lattice windows, still remains, and it was the first area in Okayama Prefecture to be designated as a ``townscape preservation district.'' Nowadays, ``Noren'' has become a symbol of Katsuyama, and can be enjoyed by tourists all over the town. In addition, the ruins of the Takase boat landing site, which is said to have started in the Muromachi period, remains along the Asahi River for about 700 meters, and the cobblestones and white walls remind us of the bustle of the past.

[Tsuyama Castle Town] A trip to enjoy Japanese history and fine cuisine

The castle town of Tsuyama City is an attractive spot that still retains the atmosphere of the period from 1600 to 1868. The ruins of Tsuyama Castle have been developed into Kakuzan Park, where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the seasons, and the cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring are particularly captivating to visitors.

The castle town is lined with traditional merchants' houses and old folk houses, creating a landscape that evokes history. In recent years, art spaces have been renovated from old folk houses, and you can enjoy local specialties and handicrafts such as Sakushu Kasuri while strolling around.

You can also enjoy dishes made with local ingredients, such as Tsuyama specialties "Tsuyama Offal Udon" and "beef dishes," allowing you to fully enjoy the charm of Tsuyama through food.

Access: 15 minutes on foot from JR Tsuyama Station

Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park)

135 Yamashita, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture 708-0022

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

[About 30 minutes by bus from Fukuyama Station] Enjoy Japanese history and delicious food in the good old port town of Tomonoura!

Tomonoura is a beautiful historic port town along the Seto Inland Sea. It has flourished as a commercial hub since ancient times, and even today, buildings and scenery from the Edo period remain. This town, which has also been the setting for numerous movies and the anime "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea," is charming with its unique atmosphere created by the calm sea, cobblestone streets, and old townscape.

As a port town, you can also enjoy fresh seafood, so you can enjoy food here. It is a place where you can experience Japanese tradition and natural beauty at the same time, strolling around historical buildings and relaxing while gazing at the sea.

Access: 30 minutes by bus from JR Fukuyama Station

Book a tour to Tomonoura