Okayama

Many of central Okayama's main sights are clustered on the eastern side of the Central Business District. From Okayama station, just take the tram three stops east to Shiroshita on the Higashiyama Line to get there.

• 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. The construction of this garden started 1687 and was completed in 1700. At various times the local lord initiated slight changes, but Korakuen largely keeps its form from the Edo era. There is an extensive set of records documenting the history of the gardens. Another famous thing about this garden is the “red-crested white cranes” kept in captivity. There are only 61 such cranes in Japan and 8 of them are in Okayama. They are well cared for and are released for flying exhibitions in the park area on special occassions throughout the year. Entering through the South Gate, the first view 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 (月見橋 Tsukimi-kyo) from the Okayama Castle side to get in. Entry ￥350, open 8 AM to 5 PM in winter and 8am to 6pm in spring and summer. (For a limited time each summer (usually late July to late August) there are extended summer operating times, during which candles and other soft lights give the garden a completely different look.
• Okayama Castle (岡山城 Okayama-jo) is popularly known as Crow Castle (烏城 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 (金の鯱 kinnoshachihoko) are 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 is few and far between but at least you can practice your court Japanese with a soap opera on video. Local legend has it that the Daimyo was so annoyed with all of the attention neighbouring Himeji Castle (the white egret castle) was receiving that he built his in black, as way of thumbing his nose at it. Entry into the main donjon ￥300, open 9 AM to 5 PM daily.
• Oriental Museum is worth a quick stop. Entry is ￥600, 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 Prefectural Museum is nearby but is of less interest.
• Sogenji Temple is a large Zen temple at the base of Mt. Misaoyama. It is a well known place for western Zen students. Free meditation sessions from 8am to 9am most Sundays and are usually followed by a simple tea ceremony. The garden behind the temple is famous for having one of the largest cherry blossom trees in Okayama and a lake which beautifully reflects the tree and the surrounding countryside. This garden was designed by the same architect who built the Korakuen garden. Take a bus from Tenmaya Bus Station and get off at Sogenji-mae bus stop.
• Momotaro Statue, east exit of Okayama station. A popular photo-op with tourists. You'll find Momotaro motifs all over the place elsewhere in the city too: there is a Momotaro mail box at the east exit of the station, and even manholes often feature Momotaro's picture. At several intersections along Momotaro-Odori you will find individual statues of dogs, monkeys, pheasants and a naked boy on each corner.
• Muscat Stadium. The biggest baseball stadium in Okayama, established in 1965. It has many facilities, for example, a stadium, tennis courts, a park, and training gym. The stadium has no home team, but is used on occasion for matches and the Hanshin Tigers used it as their training camp in spring 2005. To go to Muscat Stadium from Okayama station, take a Sanyo line train to Nakasho station (￥230 yen, 12 minutes) and walk 8 minutes.
• Okayama Dome. Not a baseball stadium like its namesakes in Tokyo and Osaka but rather a multi-purpose space which has housed many events from indoor sports to an exhibition of embalmed bodies. It is also the site of Okayama's biggest monthly flea-market.
• Shizutani School(閑谷学校）is designated as one of Japan's national treasures. Ikeda Mitsumasa, who was the lord of Okayama at that time commissioned Tsuda Nagatada to build the school. It was completed in 1701. It is the oldest school for common people in the world still in its original condition. Not only samurai but farmers could study there. The education was based on Confucianism mind. Shizutani School has some unique qualities. All the roof tiles are made with Bizen-yaki pottery. The floor is ebony colored, and it shines like a mirror. Visitors can enter in the auditorium, and see the floor. Visitors can also enjoy the scenery through the four seasons. In the spring, cherry blossoms are very beautiful. The best season is autumn when the leaves change color. Especially, the kai(楷) trees are very famous. The kai is called the tree of learning. Entrance to the school grounds costs ￥300. Shizutani School is open from 9AM to 5PM. It takes about 10 minutes from JR Yoshinaga station by car, which is about 1200 yen by taxi.

Things to do:

• Sega Joypolis A large arcade that’s a few minutes walk from the station street (ask any young, friendly looking local, they can most likely direct you). Though it looks large, the top floor’s full of slot machines only. The bottom floor however is full of the latest arcade games including the highly popular Taiko: Drum Master game and the latest iteration of House of the Dead. An excellent way to waste both time and money. Just above the arcade lies “Segakara”, a great Karaoke venue with themed rooms.
• Momotorō Festival. Held annually in the summer months in commemoration of the lead character of the children's fairytale and his rival, Ura the ogre (see info box.) The festival involves Okayama's biggest display of fireworks and numerous public dances and parades throughout the city and it's numerous shopping malls. The largest dance parade, the Uraja Dance is held in the center of Okayama on the street leading from Okayama Station towards City hall (Shiyakusho-suji.) Most teams that particpate in the dance competitions and parade practice for half a year but some teams are active all year round performing at smaller local festivals or as Uraja ambassadors at large festivals in other prefectures throughout Japan. Dance participants paint their faces to look like ogres and each team has its own unique homemade costumes.
• Cherry Blossom Festival It is probably fair to say that such festivals are held in every city and every town in Japan. One of Okayama's most popular destinations in "cherry blossom season" is along the Asahi River which is on the east side of Korakuen Park. The offical dates of this festival changes every year according to blooming the cherry blossoms, but it is usually held around the beginning of April for about two weeks. About three hundred cherry blossom trees are decorated with Japanese lanterns, and illuminated after sunset. On the first day, a lighting ceremony is held. There are many street stalls, selling for example cotton candy, octopus fritters, and crepes. Their prices are from three hundred to five hundred yen. People buy something, and they gather under the cherry blossom trees with their friends, family, or colleagues. Some may have a barbecue and picnic there. Barbeque sets hired from nearby Yakiniku restaurants offer an alternative to supplying everything and then cleaning the tools afterwards.
• Yuba Onsen is located within the city limits but is not well known even by locals. Inside a rather ugly building is a genuine hot-spring with good facilities and a variety of baths. It is possible to stay the night in the ryokan or visit the baths for a fee of around ￥1500. Take a bus from the Uno Bus station or in front of the Prefectural Office/Library.