Okayama, Japan: travel guide
The "city of sunshine" is the gateway to Kurashiki's Bikan historical quarter, home to Japan's third most celebrated garden (Korakuen), a magnificent black castle known as the "Crow Castle," and excellent access to Naoshima Art Island.
- Country
- Japan
- Currency
- JPY
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Nearest airport
- OKJ
Top places to visit in Okayama
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Heritage · about 2 h
Willow-lined canal district of white-walled Edo warehouses turned shops and cafes.
Kibitsu Shrine
Temple · about 0.8 h
Shrine with a nationally treasured 400 m roofed corridor and unique double-roof hall.
Korakuen Garden
Nature · about 1.5 h · entry JPY 500
One of Japan's Three Great Gardens, a strolling garden facing Okayama Castle.
Okayama Castle
Heritage · about 1 h · entry JPY 400
Reconstructed black-clad "Crow Castle" beside the Asahi River.
Ohara Museum of Art
Museum · about 1.3 h · entry JPY 2,000
Japan's first museum of Western art, holding El Greco, Monet and Gauguin works.
Washuzan Hill
Viewpoint · about 0.8 h
Viewpoint over the Seto Inland Sea islands and the Great Seto Bridge.
Achi Shrine
Temple · about 0.5 h
Hilltop shrine above Kurashiki Bikan offering views over the old town.
Okayama Orient Museum
Museum · about 0.8 h · entry JPY 300
Museum of Near Eastern antiquities from Mesopotamia to the Islamic period.
Saidaiji Kannonin
Temple · about 0.7 h
Temple that hosts the Hadaka Matsuri naked festival each February.
Things to do
- Okayama Castle Kimono & Korakuen Photo Walk Experience · 3 h · from JPY 4,500 per person
- Bizen-yaki Pottery Hands-on Class Class · 2 h · from JPY 4,000 per person
Where to stay in Okayama
- Downtown about JPY 3,500 per night
City center with mid-range accommodation
Hotels
- Ryokan Kurashiki 4-star
- Hotel Granvia Okayama 4-star
- Koraku Hotel 3-star
Where to eat
- Aeon Okayama Food Court Japanese, Katsu · about JPY 1,200 per person
- Fukumeguri Sushi, Seafood · about JPY 3,000 per person
- Kanaizumi (Kurashiki) Udon, Japanese · about JPY 1,100 per person
- Yamatoya Okayama Ramen · about JPY 1,000 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tram main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Roppongi bar overcharge
Roppongi · Kabukicho nightlife
Foreign-fronted bar in Roppongi adds drink charges and seat fees you weren't shown; bill arrives at 5–10x expected.
How to avoid it: Stick to bars with clear printed menus and prices on the door. Ask price before sitting.