10 memorable and special experiences in Hiroshima and Okayama! From traditional crafts to gourmet food

Here are 10 fascinating experiences you can enjoy in Hiroshima and Okayama! There are a wide variety of programs, including craft experiences that allow you to experience traditional culture, activities to enjoy beautiful nature, and local gourmet experiences. Be sure to enjoy experiences that are packed with the charms of each area!
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Table of Contents
- 1. Oku-Yuki Shower Climbing (Yuki Town, Hiroshima Prefecture)
- 2. Buggy Experience at Utopia Saioto (Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture)
- 3. Experience Zen at Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens (Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
- 4. Bread-making experience at Hattendo Village (Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
- 5. Momiji Manju Hand-baked Experience (Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture)
- 6. Bizen ware workshop tour and Bizen ware making (Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture)
- 7. Observe traditional forging at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum (Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture)
- 8. Peach Picking Experience (Akaiwa City and Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture)
- 9. Kuroshima Venus Road - A walk on the sea (Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture)
- 10. Rent a kimono and stroll around (Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture)
1. Oku-Yuki Shower Climbing (Yuki Town, Hiroshima Prefecture)

Oku-Yuki Shower Climbing is a thrilling adventure sport where you climb waterfalls and jump over rocks while going up the clear stream in Yuki Town, Hiroshima Prefecture. Located about 1 hour and 30 minutes by train and bus from the center of Hiroshima, the environment surrounded by beautiful valleys and clear water is the perfect place to refresh your mind and body. As a guide will accompany you, even beginners can participate with peace of mind. Another attraction is the cool feeling that will make you forget the summer heat and the exhilarating feeling of being one with nature. Take a deep breath and enjoy a rich and special experience while feeling the cycle of the earth as the water flows, eventually reaches the sea and returns as clouds.
2. Buggy Experience at Utopia Saioto (Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture)

Utopia Saioto is a facility where you can enjoy outdoor activities, located in Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, about an hour and a half's drive from the center of Hiroshima City. In summer, the popular experience is a buggy ride through the vast natural scenery, and with a dedicated course and the support of instructors, even beginners can enjoy it with peace of mind. You can also enjoy camping, glamping, and barbecues. In winter, as a ski resort, it has a variety of courses and lift facilities, allowing beginners to advanced skiers to ski comfortably. Why not spend a fulfilling day enjoying the abundant snowfall and high-quality powder snow, while also making use of accommodation and restaurants?
3. Experience Zen at Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens (Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture)

Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens is a special place where you can experience the world of Zen with all five senses. Historical buildings, tea houses, and modern pavilions are dotted throughout the vast grounds, and a beautiful garden connects them all. Here, you can take the time to calm your mind and face yourself through traditional Zen experiences such as zazen, copying sutras, and tea ceremonies. Day trip and overnight plans are also available, so even first-time visitors can easily participate. In addition, you can enjoy exhibitions of masterpieces of Zen painting and contemporary art, experiencing a new world of Zen where tradition and modernity are fused together.
4. Bread-making experience at Hattendo Village (Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture)

At Hattendo Village, you can enjoy the fun of making your own original cream buns! First, you use the cream bun dough to mold it into your own shape. Next, you inject the cream of your choice into the bun, and feel the bun expand - the true joy of making cream buns. After that, wrap it in your original wrapping paper that you drew yourself, and your one-of-a-kind bun is complete! You can also take it home as a souvenir. Staff will be there to support you, so even first-timers can enjoy the experience with peace of mind.
5. Momiji Manju Hand-baked Experience (Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture)

Why not try making your own momiji manju, a Hiroshima specialty? At the popular momiji manju baking experience in Miyajima, you can experience the entire process of baking the dough, filling it with bean paste, and wrapping it under the careful guidance of a momiji manju craftsman. Making your own momiji manju using chocolate or red bean paste is a fun activity that both adults and children can get absorbed into! It's perfect for participating with family and friends.
6. Bizen ware workshop tour and Bizen ware making (Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture)

Bizen ware, which has a history of over 1,000 years, is unglazed and characterized by its simple, powerful beauty. Its unique texture, created only with clay and fire, has captivated pottery enthusiasts around the world.
At the workshops, you can watch skilled craftsmen create works using traditional techniques up close, learning more about the feel of the clay and the firing process. Some workshops also offer experiences using a potter's wheel or hand-forming, allowing you to create your own Bizen ware piece. By learning about the process of using local red clay and firing at high temperatures of over 1,300 degrees, you will be able to feel the depth of art that combines Japanese nature and culture.
7. Observe traditional forging at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum (Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture)

You can observe up close the "orikaeshi forging" process, in which swordsmiths hit hot steel with a large hammer to remove impurities while folding it back. It is a powerful process that combines hot flames, reverberating metallic sounds, and the concentrated appearance of the craftsman. The demonstration with commentary allows you to understand the history and depth of technique of Japanese swords. Public forging is held once a month, four times a day, with a capacity of 15 people per session, and reservations are required.
Bizen Osafune is known as a place where famous swords are produced, and the museum exhibits and the surrounding historical background are part of its charm. Come and enjoy the world of Japanese swords, which combine beauty and strength.
8. Peach Picking Experience (Akaiwa City and Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture)

In Okayama Prefecture, you can enjoy peach picking from late June to early September. As its name "Okayama, the Fruit Kingdom" suggests, peaches grown in the warm climate have an excellent sweetness, fragrance, and flavor. Okayama's signature white peaches, as well as early-ripening and high-sugar varieties, are in season in succession. At farms, you can pick peaches and taste them on the spot, and you can also purchase freshly picked peaches at the direct sales store. There is also a wide variety of peach-based sweets and souvenirs to enjoy. Enjoy the delicious taste of summer by going peach picking in Okayama!
9. Kuroshima Venus Road - A walk on the sea (Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture)

Kuroshima Venus Road is a fantastical sand road that appears as the tides go in and out. Located in Ushimado, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, this road appears at low tide, connecting Kuroshima, Nakanokojima, and Hatonokojima. You can enjoy the experience of walking on the sea, and this special road is said to be where lovers are united, making it a very popular spot with couples. Strolling hand in hand at sunrise or sunset will make for an unforgettable romantic moment. The beautiful scenery created by nature is also perfect for photos. If you plan on visiting, it's recommended that you check the low tide times in advance and bring beach sandals and a towel!
10. Rent a kimono and stroll around (Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture)

In the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, it is popular to rent a kimono and enjoy walking around the town. There are many stores where you can rent high-quality kimonos and yukatas, so you can choose a style that suits your taste. Even beginners can feel at ease as professional staff are available to help you dress. Strolling around in a kimono will allow you to feel in harmony with the historic townscape and spend a special time that will look great in photos!
Hiroshima Prefecture is not just about the world heritage sites of Miyajima and the Atomic Bomb Dome. Hiroshima is full of delicious food! Okonomiyaki, which is synonymous with Hiroshima, fresh seafood such as oysters, octopus, sea bream, and conger eel, Onomichi ramen, which is now nationwide, Hiroshima beef, which is highly regarded for its high meat quality, handmade soba, lemons and oranges, which are the largest producers in Japan.・Abundant food resources such as grapes are unique to Hiroshima. Many events unique to the region are also held, such as the sea festival, kagura, and Mibu flower rice planting. Cycling, trekking, skiing and snowboarding on the Shimanami Kaido will keep you active. Miyajima, which is registered as a World Heritage Site, and the Atomic Bomb Dome are not the only attractions, and there are many ways to enjoy it.
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