[Beautiful Japanese history and culture that no one knows about yet] 8 carefully selected spots for "Kibi Romance"in Okayama Prefecture!

• Table of Contents
• [Kibitsuhiko Shrine] A power spot worshipped as the mountain where the gods descend
• [Kibitsu Shrine] A shrine connected to the legend of Momotaro. The beautiful 360m corridor is a must-see!
• [Zozan Kofun] One of the largest kofun in Japan dating back to the early 5th century (401-500 AD)
• [Bicchu Kokubunji ] A typical view of the Kibiji area! Also popular as a photo spot
• [Jinya-machi Ashimori] A jinya-machi town of the Kinoshita clan, whose founder was the elder brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife, Nene, and whose domain yielded 25,000 koku.
• [Ryusenji Temple (Ryuo Pond)] The vermilion torii gate and autumn leaves that stand out in the pond are beautiful
• [Mogami Inari] A famous worship spot for both the gods of severing and finding love.
• [Takamatsu Castle Ruins Park] The ruins of Takamatsu, which was the main battlefield for the water siege

[Kibitsuhiko Shrine] A power spot worshipped as the mountain where the gods descend

This shrine enshrines Kibitsuhiko-no-Mikoto, the inspiration for Momotaro. The traditional shrine architecture and the deep green trees create a magnificent and solemn landscape. The main shrine has been designated as an Important Cultural Property by the prefecture. Nakayama no Nakayama, worshipped as a sacred mountain since ancient times, is said to be the place where the gods descend, and is known as a power spot. On the summer solstice, the Asahi rises directly in front of the torii gate, which is why it is also known as Asahi no Miya (Palace of the Asahi).

Also on the grounds is Inari Shrine, with its eye-catching red torii gate, which is visited by many worshippers as the god of bountiful harvests, prosperous business, and prosperity in all walks of life.

Access: 5 minutes on foot from JR Bizen Ichinomiya Station

Kibitsuhiko Shrine

1043 Ichinomiya, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 701-1211

A highly prestigious shrine that was created as a branch of Kibitsujinja shrine. Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto, the model for Momotaro, is enshrined here. The combination of traditional shrine architecture and deep green trees creates a majestic and splendid atmosphere. The main shrine is designated as an important cultural property by the prefecture. Kibi Nakayama, which has been worshiped as a mountain of the gods since ancient times, is known as a power spot and the place where the gods descend. It is also called "Maya of the Asahi" because the morning sun rises in front of the torii gate on the day of the summer solstice. You can see Japan's largest stone lantern.

[Kibitsu Shrine] A shrine connected to the legend of Momotaro. The beautiful 360m corridor is a must-see!

There remains a legend surrounding Kibitsuhiko-no-Mikoto and Ura, who are said to be the inspiration for the legend of Momotaro (the demon slayer). You can experience the setting of the legend, including the Yaoki-iwa rock where the arrow used to slay the demon is said to have been placed, and the Okamaden hall where the demon's head is said to have been buried. The "Narukama Shinji," in which fortunes are predicted by the sound of a cauldron ringing, is beloved by many people. The main hall and worship hall, rebuilt in 1425, are the only ones in Japan that use the Kibitsu-zukuri (hiyoku-irimoya-zukuri) architectural style, and are designated as national treasures.

The beautiful 360m corridor that continues from the main hall is a historic structure worth seeing. The six buildings - the Watariden (bridge), Tsuriden (fishing hall), Saimonden (ceremonial writing hall), Konro (eaves corridor), Haiden (worship hall), and Shinsen (offering hall) - are designated as Important Cultural Properties of the prefecture.

Access: 15 minutes on foot from JR Kibitsu Station

Kibitsujinja shrine

701-1341 931 Kibitsu, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

There is a legend surrounding Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto and Ura, who are said to be the origin of the Momotaro (demon slaying) legend. You can experience legendary settings such as Yagi Rock, where it is said that an arrow was placed to kill demons, and Okamaden, where it is said that the head of a demon was buried. The Narukama Shinto ritual, in which fortune is predicted by the sound of a kettle, is familiar to many people. The main shrine and worship hall, which were rebuilt in 1425, are the only ones in Japan to adopt the architectural style Kibitsu-zukuri (hiyoku irimoya-zukuri, hiyoku irimoya-zukuri), and have been designated as national treasures. Additionally, the beautiful 360m corridor that extends from the main shrine is a historic building that is worth seeing.

[Zozan Kofun] One of the largest kofun in Japan dating back to the early 5th century (401-500 AD)

It is one of the largest keyhole-shaped tumuli in Japan at the beginning of the 5th century (401-500 AD). It shows that Kibi was a powerful region capable of constructing such a huge tumulus. It is approximately 350m long, with a circular mound diameter of 224m and a height of 27-32.5m, built in three tiers. A figurative haniwa can be seen on the top of the circular mound, and a large number of roofing stones and rows of cylindrical haniwa can be seen on each tier of the mound slope. There are also six secondary tombs southwest of Zozan Kofun, including Sakakiyama Kofun, where a horse-shaped belt hook was excavated, and Senashi Kofun, which has a stone hurdle carved with a straight-arc pattern. (Tombs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6)

Additionally, the adjacent Zozan Kofun Visitor Center provides tourist information on Zozan Kofun, a keyhole-shaped tumulus from the first half of the 5th century that is the fourth largest in Japan, as well as the Japan Heritage site "Okayama, the Birthplace of the Legend of Momotaro - A Tale of Demon Slaying Brought to You by the Heritage of Ancient Kibi," of which the tumulus is one of the cultural assets.

Access: Approximately 6 minutes by taxi from JR Takamatsu Station

[Bicchu Kokubunji ] A typical view of the Kibiji area! Also popular as a photo spot

This temple is one of the Kokubunji built across the country at the request of Emperor Shomu during the Nara period. It was built with the aim of protecting the country from natural disasters and famine with the help of Buddhism. The building that remains today was rebuilt during the Edo period. Within the temple grounds stands a five-story pagoda, approximately 34 meters high, which is famous as a representative sight of the Kibiji region. The only five-story pagoda in Okayama Prefecture, it has been designated an Important Cultural Property.

It is becoming increasingly popular as a cycling spot, and a great place to take photos of the five-story pagoda set in the countryside, as well as canola flower, Chinese milk vetch, and sunflowers.

Additionally, the Kibiji Hospitality House, located adjacent to the parking lot, faces the five-story pagoda of Bitchu Kokubunji. Within the grounds, there is a hall with a gallery that changes weekly and a place where you can enjoy meals and shopping, as well as a gazebo where you can feel the breeze of Kibiji. There is also a corner selling local specialties and vegetables picked that morning.

Access: Approximately 12 minutes by taxi from JR Takamatsu Station

Bichu Kokubun-ji Temple

1046 Kanbayashi, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture 719-1123

One of the Kokubunji temples built throughout the country at the request of Emperor Shomu during the Nara period. It was built to protect the country from natural disasters and famine with the help of Buddhism. The buildings that remain today were rebuilt during the Edo period. A five-storied pagoda with a height of approximately 34 meters rises within the precincts, and is famous as one of the most representative views of Kibiji. The only five-storied pagoda in Okayama Prefecture is designated as an important cultural property. It is becoming increasingly popular as a cycling spot, where you can take photos of the five-storied pagoda built in the countryside, rape blossoms, astragalus, and sunflowers.

Hotels near Bichu Kokubun-ji Temple

City-Operated HotelSunroad Kibiji

Okayama Prefecture > Soja

5.0 /5

Outstanding

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$83～

[Jinya-machi Ashimori] A jinya-machi town of the Kinoshita clan, whose founder was the elder brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife, Nene, and whose domain yielded 25,000 koku.

The Kinoshita clan, whose clan originated from the elder brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife, Nene, had a 25,000 koku stipend in Jinya-machi. The preservation district is the townspeople's area of ​​Jinya-machi. One of the distinctive features of Ashimori is the well-preserved latticework. Elegant lattices such as senbon latticework and parent-child latticework are installed, allowing you to enjoy the aesthetics of proportion born from everyday life. The town is lined with deep, flat-fronted merchant houses, creating a quiet and peaceful townscape.

Kinsui-en Garden in the Ashimori district was the garden of the Kinoshita family, the former lords of the Ashimori domain, and is known as a fine example of a strolling pond garden said to be in the style of Kobori Enshu. Records do not clearly indicate when Kinsui-en Garden was built, but it is estimated to have been built in the early 18th century during the reign of the sixth lord, Kinoshita Kinsada, and is a daimyo garden that ranks alongside Koraku-en Garden in Okayama and Tsuyama-en Garden in Tsuyama within the prefecture. It was designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by Okayama Prefecture on March 27, 1959.

Additionally, at Ashimori Plaza, located in a streetscape that still retains the strong remnants of Jinya-machi, you can enjoy experiences such as pottery and woodworking. The adjacent Rice Storehouse Gallery can be rented as a space for exhibiting works or holding mini concerts. The building also has an information corner with information on sightseeing along the Kibiji route and around Okayama, as well as a restaurant where you can enjoy local ingredients.

Access: Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from JR Ashimori Station

Ashimori district

7011463 Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

Jinyamachi is a town of Jinya where the Kinoshita family, whose founder is Toyotomi Hideyoshi's legal wife Nene's older brother, has 25,000 koku of land. The preservation district corresponds to Machinin-cho within Jinya-cho. A characteristic feature of Ashimori is that the latticework is well preserved. Beautiful lattices such as Senbon lattice and Kiriko lattice are installed, allowing you to enjoy the aesthetics of proportion created from daily life. It is a quiet and calm townscape, lined with private houses with wide frontage and flat terraces.

[Ryusenji Temple (Ryuo Pond)] The vermilion torii gate and autumn leaves that stand out in the pond are beautiful

It is said to have been founded during the Tenpyo Shoho era in the Nara period by Hoon Daishi, who was training in the mountains here. It was a sacred place of folk belief where the rain-making gods, Dragon God and the Eight Great Dragon Kings, and the harvest gods, Inari and Mogami Inari, were Mogami intertwined.

The temple was once a Tendai Buddhist sect, but is said to have converted to Nichiren Buddhism under the influence of the Hanabusa clan, the feudal lords of Takamatsu in Bitchu during the Edo period. The Otaki Festival is held every year on the fourth Sunday of July. Two portable shrines, carried by around 60 male believers in white robes, are paraded bravely under the 6-meter-high Ryuo Falls, attracting many worshippers.

The grounds also include Ryuo Pond, with its vibrant red torii gate, and the Tombo Pond and Egret Wetlands, where you can enjoy strolling while taking in the natural scenery.

Access: Approximately 15 minutes by taxi from JR Ashimori Station

[Mogami Inari] A famous worship spot for both the gods of severing and finding love.

Mogami Mogami is known as one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan. Its official name is Mogami Inariyama Mogami-ji Temple, and it is a precious sacred place where syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism is permitted. As proof of this, even though it is a temple, it has the torii gates that you would see at a shrine.

This is one of the prefecture's most popular places of worship where people come to pray for family safety, business prosperity, good fortune, and more. It is famous for being a rare shrine in Japan where both the gods of severing and bringing relationships are enshrined. If you experience the "Ryoen Mairi" (held on the 7th of every month), you may find a new, good match.

Access: About 5 minutes by taxi from JR Takamatsu Station

Saijo Inari

701-1331 712 Takamatsu Inari, Kita Ward, Okayama City Prefecture

One of Japan’s three top Inari temples, featuring an enormous torii 27.5 m tall! Saijo Inari, founded more than 1,200 years ago, is one of Japan’s three top Inari . A temple in reality, Saijo Inari includes an enormous torii (Grand Torii) and resembles a shrine while devoting itself to both gods and Buddha. Believed to grant wishes including for business prosperity and domestic safety, the temple is filled to capacity during the New Year holiday, making it to most popular temple in Okayama Prefecture. With the En no Massha shrine existing for the good graces of marriage and the adverse fortunes of divorce, visitors are encouraged to receive a heart-shaped matchmaking souvenir after worshipping and open the door to a wonderful relationship.

[Takamatsu Castle Ruins Park] The ruins of Takamatsu, which was the main battlefield for the water siege

Takamatsu Castle is located in a strategic location along the Matsuyama road that runs from Bizen Province to Matsuyama , and is famous as the castle ruins that was the main battlefield for the siege of Takamatsu Castle by water in 1582. The Kibi Road, which includes Takamatsu, is a treasure trove of cultural assets and historical sites, and the museum displays many relics and cultural assets excavated from the Takamatsu area.

This is the site where Hashiba Hideyoshi conducted a month-long water siege. At the castle ruins, there is a grave for the head of the castle lord, Shimizu Muneharu, who committed seppuku in exchange for the lives of his soldiers, and a monument bearing his death poem.

Access: About 5 minutes by taxi from JR Takamatsu Station

Bitchu Takamatsu Castle Ruins

701-1335 Takamatsu, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

In the 10th year of Tensho (1582), the ``Takamatsu Castle Water Attack'' was fought here between Hideyoshi's army and the Mori army. There are remains of a water embankment nearby. Nowadays, it is maintained as a park, and you can enjoy a walk while thinking back to those days. Every year in mid-July, you can see the lotus ``Soji Lotus'' blooming over an area of ​​about 4,000 square meters in the vast 7,000 square meter moat in the center of the park.

Bitchu Takamatsu Castle Ruins Museum

558-2 Takamatsu, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 701-1335

This museum is located on the site of Bitchu Takamatsu Castle, which was the main battlefield of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's water invasion. The Battle of Takamatsu Castle is famous not only for its unique strategy, but also as the battle that led to the death of Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi's unification of Japan. Bitchu Takamatsu Castle was located at a strategic location along the Matsuyama traffic route from Bizen Province to Bitchu Matsuyama. Kibiji, which includes Takamatsu, is a treasure trove of cultural properties and historical sites, and the museum exhibits many artifacts and cultural properties excavated from the Takamatsu area.

If you want to visit the 8 carefully selected spots of "Kibi Roman" in Okayama Prefecture, the "Kibi Roman Free Circulation Bus" is convenient.

Kibi Roman Free Circulation Bus (operates only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from August 23rd to October 5th, 2025)

Kibi Roman Free Circulation Bus