Okayama

Guide to Okayama Japan including getting to Okayama, Okayama Castle, Korakuen Garden, Okayama Food and Okayama hotels. Okayama (岡山) is a city in the Chugoku region of Japan, on the southern coast of the island of Honshu. Getting to Okayama The San’yo Shinkansen passes through Okayama on its way from Kobe to Hiroshima. Okayama is also the starting point of express trains across the Seto Inland Sea to Takamatsu and other destinations on the island of Shikoku. Getting around Okayama A convenient tram line runs east from JR Okayama Station along Momotaro-Odori until Okayama Castle, then turning south towards Seidaiji. Okayama Sight Seeing Okayama’s main sights are all clustered in a large park on the eastern side of the side. From Okayama station, just take the tram three stops east to Joka to get there. Korakuen Garden Korakuen Garden (後楽園) is one of Japan’s official Three Great Gardens and hence Okayama’s number one attraction. The name means “Garden of Pleasure After”, a reference to a famous Confucian quote stating that a wise ruler must attend to his subjects’ needs first and only then attend to his own. Entering through the South Gate, the first impression is that of a giant lawn, crisscrossed with wide paths and the occasional teahouse to break the monotony. But the interesting stuff is lurking on the sides: waterfalls, tiny shrines, miniature maple forests, a lotus pond, even a greenhouse filled with orchids and cacti. Cross the Moon-Viewing Bridge (Tsukimi-kyo) from the front of Okayama Castle to get in. Entry ¥350, open 8 AM to 5 PM daily. Korakuen Garden, Okayama, Japan — by jpatokal Okayama Castle Okayama Castle (岡山城 Okayama-jo) is popularly known as Crow Castle (鴉城 U-jo), so named because unlike every other castle in the country (except Matsumoto’s, which shares the nickname) it has been painted a striking black, only a few protruding bits and the occasional lucky fish-gargoyle (金鯱 kinshachi) gilded. Destroyed in WW2, with the exception of one authentic turret the current version dates from 1966, but at least the rebuilders were considerate enough to install an elevator while they were at it. In the tower is a museum documenting the castle’s history, English explanations are few and far between but at least you can practice your court Japanese with a soap opera on video. Entry into the main donjon ¥300, open 9 AM to 5 PM daily.   Okayama Castle, Japan — by jpatokal Okayama Oriental Museum Oriental Museum is worth a quick stop. Entry is 600 yen, but those with a student ID can receive a discount. The special exhibit details art and trade between China and Persia. If you can speak conversational Japanese, talk with the friendly docents; they will present some highly interesting explanations and background that bolsters what would otherwise be a rather dry tour. A full walk through both floors of the museum should take no more than an hour. Okayama Food The local delicacy is aji, a white-fleshed fish translated into English alternatively as “trout” or “horse mackerel.” Asuka (飛鳥), across the street from the west side of Okayama Station, serves aji sashimi, vinegared aji and deep-fried aji. Perhaps more of a drinking spot/pub than a restaurant, Asuka is still a fine place for food and drink and an excellent place to experience “after-work Japan” in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Okayama Accommodation Looking for accommodation in Okayama? Please support our site by using our Okayama hotel reservation system where you find one of the largest range of Okayama Hotel and at heavily discounted rates. Okayama Surrounds Okayama is a good place to launch day-trips to most of western Honshu and even Shikoku as it is the regional transportation hub. Bizen, known for its pottery, is the place to use up your inheritance on a single tea cup. Himeji, with the striking White Egret Castle, is 50 kilometres to the east along the Sanyo line. Kotohira, home to Shikoku’s largest shrine Kompirasan, is just an hour away by express train. Naoshima, a small island on Seto Inland Sea with superb contemporary art museums, can be easily reached from Uno port (one hour by JR train). (Article based on Wikitravel article by Wikitravel users Jpatokal. Based on work by Wikitravel user(s) Nzpcmad and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Article used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0.) |