The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Okayama Prefecture, Chugoku

May 22, 2021 Rosalyn Ihle

Okayama Prefecture (岡山県, Okayama-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on the main island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Okayama.
Restaurants in Okayama Prefecture

1. Okayama Korakuen Garden

Korakuen 1-5, Okayama 703-8257 Okayama Prefecture +81 86-272-1148 http://okayama-korakuen.jp/
Excellent
50%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,709 reviews

Okayama Korakuen Garden

In 1687, daimyo (feudal lord) Ikeda Tsunamasa ordered his vassal Tsuda Nagatada to begin the construction of a new garden. The groundwork took 13 years until 1700, but since then the garden has retained most of its original appearance across the Edo period (1603-1868) until the present day. The garden was used as a retreat for the daimyos as well as a place for entertaining their guests, although people of the fiefdom too could visit it on certain occasions. As time went by, successive daimyos slightly modified the garden adding and removing hills, lawns, ponds and buildings, but the initial concept of Korakuen as a wide, bright space offering beautiful inner and outer vistas remained constant and unaltered. In 1884, the ownership of Korakuen was transferred to Okayama Prefecture and the garden was opened to the general public: since then it is carefully managed as a historical cultural asset to be passed down to future generations.

Reviewed By 798ellenr - Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Canada

We stopped here on a day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima on the Shinkansen. It is one of the three great Japanese strolling gardens and even in the rain it was magnificent with its plum blossoms, lake, rice fields, camellia garden and more. We saw Geisha strolling and a view of the adjacent castle.It was magical!

2. Ohara Museum of Art

1-1-15 Chuo, Kurashiki 710-8575 Okayama Prefecture +81 86-422-0005 http://www.ohara.or.jp/201001/jp/index.html
Excellent
58%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 706 reviews

Ohara Museum of Art

Reviewed By ratdog2063 - Sydney, Australia

the famed paitings by el greco, renoir, lautrec, etc are here. there are not many of each, but the crown jewels are there. the japanese garden, and the storage buildings are worth a visit too

3. Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Hommachi, Kurashiki 710-0054 Okayama Prefecture +81 86-426-3030 [email protected] http://www.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp/6219.htm
Excellent
46%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,719 reviews

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Reviewed By TailG79 - Los Angeles, United States

Old Town Kurashiki is Beautiful!!! 15 min walk from Kurashiki Station. You can also take a bus for about ¥210. Great as a half day trip from Okayama (30-40 mins by train). Super easy to get to. Walk along the river and enjoy the scenery. Old Town has many great shops and food stalls. Was full of beautiful ladies in their kimonos taking photos. Absolutely stunning! You can also find different themed cafes like the owl cafe and cat cafe. They also have other animal theme cafes.

4. Kibi Plain Bicycle Route

Okayama Prefecture http://www.okayama-kanko.jp/hareiro-cycling/route07.html
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 43 reviews

Kibi Plain Bicycle Route

This 15-km long route runs past ancient burial grounds and temples.

5. Old Shizutani School

784 Shizutani, Bizen 705-0036 Okayama Prefecture +81 869-67-1436 http://shizutani.jp
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 97 reviews

Old Shizutani School

6. Mt. Washu

Shimotsuitanoura, Kurashiki 711-0925 Okayama Prefecture http://www.kurashiki-tabi.jp/see/1272
Excellent
42%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 175 reviews

Mt. Washu

7. Kamba Falls

640 Kamba, Maniwa 717-0004 Okayama Prefecture +81 867-44-2701 http://www.city.maniwa.lg.jp/webapps/www/info/detail_2.jsp?id=3000
Excellent
41%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

Kamba Falls

8. Kibitsu Shrine

931 Kibitsu, Kita-ku, Okayama 701-1341 Okayama Prefecture +81 86-287-4111 [email protected] http://www.kibitujinja.com/
Excellent
43%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 368 reviews

Kibitsu Shrine

Reviewed By BZimm08 - Iwakuni, Japan

I visited the Kibitsu Shrine on my way to Okayama and was very impressed by this shrine. The shrine was massive and beautiful. There are huge parking lots that are free here. After parking I recommend walking to the main temple area, then the covered walkway, then cross the street to visit the other shrines and gardens in the small town. The whole area is well designed and beautiful. I was here on a Friday morning and it was not very crowded felt like I had the place to myself. The shrine is well protected and they take very good care of the property. I think this shrine is a must if in the area.

9. Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

1 Uchisange, Takahashi 716-0004 Okayama Prefecture +81 866-22-1487 http://takahasikanko.or.jp/modules/spot/index.php?content_id=1
Excellent
56%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 297 reviews

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

Reviewed By BZimm08 - Iwakuni, Japan

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is considered the highest castle above sea level in Japan. This castle is one of the originals and well worth a visit. There is a parking lot before the castle. Unfortunately visitors must either walk the road up or take a shuttle which is 400 Yen, I chose to walk the road, it was not that long and pretty easy. I really liked this castle, it's smaller then others. I found it unique how the builders used the environment (hills and rocks) to construct the castle, it's evident how this was done. I recommend the small fee to enter the castle. We are cat lovers so the highlight for us was Sanjuro, the cat. He made his way up here due to flooding in the area years ago and has been the local mascot since, so cute!

10. Daigo Zakura

Bessho, Maniwa 719-3157 Okayama Prefecture +81 867-52-1111 http://www.maniwa.or.jp/
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Daigo Zakura

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