Enjoy the fresh food of Okayama, from the sea to the mountains and fruit

• Table of Contents
• The finest fruits from the sunny country: white peaches and grapes
• Fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea Oysters and Spanish mackerel
• Okayama sake that makes the most of the local climate
• Enjoy the flavors of Okayama at an izakaya

The finest fruits from the sunny country: white peaches and grapes

Okayama Prefecture is known as the "Fruit Kingdom," and you can enjoy a wide variety of high-quality fruits. In particular, the "white peach," characterized by its white color and elegant sweetness, and the "Muscat of Alexandria," with its fresh, rich sweetness, are considered to be the finest in Japan. Okayama's fruits are carefully cultivated and have rich flavors and textures, and you can enjoy the fresh taste at direct sales stores or fruit picking in season. Beautiful-looking fruit parfaits are also popular.

Fruit picking is also held during the harvest season. White peaches can be enjoyed from late July to mid-August, and grapes can be enjoyed from July to October depending on the variety.

Kurashiki Momoko Kurashiki main store

710-0054 4-1 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture

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

Fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea Oysters and Spanish mackerel

oyster

Okayama oysters are grown in the calm environment of the Seto Inland Sea and are characterized by their concentrated umami flavor. They are in season in winter, when the meat is plump and large, with a creamy, rich flavor. They are served in a variety of ways, such as grilled oysters, fried oysters, hot pots, and kakioko (okonomiyaki with oysters), and many of the dishes make the most of the natural flavor of the ingredients, which is also appealing. In the winter season, you can enjoy fresh oysters at oyster barbecues in the area where they are produced.

Spanish mackerel

Spanish mackerel from the Seto Inland Sea are characterized by their soft, fatty flesh and elegant sweetness and fragrance. When enjoyed as sashimi in season, they offer a moist texture and refreshing taste. They are also popular grilled with salt or pickled in miso, and cooking them brings out their flavor even more. Locally known as "harutsugeuo" (spring message fish), they are known as a fish that heralds the arrival of spring.

Click here to book a seafood tour

Okayama sake that makes the most of the local climate

Okayama sake is generally characterized by a smooth mouthfeel and rich aroma, and is easy to drink and has a deep flavor. In particular, sake made with Omachi rice has a mellow, full-bodied flavor and goes perfectly with local seafood and regional cuisine.

Omachi rice is a specialty sake rice grown in Okayama Prefecture, and is considered ideal for brewing high-quality sake due to its rich flavor and aroma. Okayama's climate and soil bring out the characteristics of this rice and play an important role in sake brewing. For sake fans, Okayama sake made with Omachi rice is a must-try.

After the winter brewing season ends, new sake is available from early spring, and it's fun to try the new sake that can only be tasted at the brewery or in the local area.

Book a tour to visit the sake brewery here

Enjoy the flavors of Okayama at an izakaya

There are many izakayas around Okayama Station that are popular with tourists and locals alike. Many of them serve dishes that make use of local ingredients, and many of them serve Okayama specialties such as Spanish mackerel, Shimotsui octopus, and yellow chives. There are also izakayas that serve locally produced alcoholic beverages such as local sake and craft beer, allowing you to enjoy special drinks that you can't find anywhere else. The atmospheres of the restaurants are also very unique, with a wide range to choose from, from lively, popular izakayas to those with private rooms that emphasize a sense of privacy. They are easily accessible within walking distance of Okayama Station, so you can drop in casually and enjoy interacting with the locals.

Book a tour of izakayas around Okayama Station here