Okayama
is the capital of Okayama prefecture in the Chugoku region
of Japan. The third-largest city in Kyushu after Fukuoka
and Kitakyushu, Kumamoto straddles the central plains of
the island. While not a major tourist draw in its own right,
it offers easy access to the ancient volcanic plateau of
Aso-san to the east.
Travel Advices:
Sightseeing:
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 UrajaDance 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.
Cycle the Kibi Plain. Bike hire is available adjacent
to the JR station at Bizen Ichinomiya, just ten minutes
from JR Okayama station. They will provide a map to
cycle the well posted quiet and mostly off-road 15km
route to Soja. You can return the bicycle at Soja station.
Cost is ¥1000 per bicycle per day. The cycle passes
many shrines, temples, and pagodas that are pretty and
with very few tourists