Location: Okayama
Top Things to do in Okayama
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Okayama, Chugoku
Okayama (岡山市, Okayama-shi, Japanese: [okaꜜjama]) is the capital city of Okayama Prefecture in the Chūgoku region of Japan. The city was founded on June 1, 1889.
Restaurants in Okayama
1. Okayama Korakuen Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,709 reviews
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. Kibitsu Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 368 reviews
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.
3. Inujima Seirensho Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By melindag386 - Osaka, Japan
It’s an expensive ferry ride from Naoshima (¥1880 one way) but very well worth it. We took the first ferry at 920 am from Miyanoura port and arrived at 1015. We got our tickets and went straight to this museum. We were the first to arrive so we had the place to ourselves. We were really impressed with how they incorporated the artwork with the former copper refinery. After walking through, there is a path outside that leads you around the back of the refinery which most people don’t bother checking out. We would definitely make another trip here in the future.
4. Inujima
5. Okayama Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,163 reviews
Reviewed By jesdaap - Bangkok, Thailand
Although it looks like a typical castle in Japan that tells its history and shows valuable objects, with its black appearance and the Okayama City & beautiful Korakuen Garden viewpoint above is a difference that must be visited. There are also rental services for ancient noble clothes, photo spots inside the building and entrance tickets included the Castle and Korakuen Garden sold at a reasonable price.
6. Yumeji Art Museum (Yumeji-Kyodo Bijutsukan)
7. Kibitsuhiko Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 156 reviews
Reviewed By Jack886 - Taipei, Taiwan
This very old shrine also know as Mototaro Shrine, a very famous shrine at old Kibi District. The shrine is just located not far from JR Bizen-Ichinomiya Station. You can also rent a bicycle here for easy and comfortable sightseeing
8. Handayama Botany
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 298philipc
This is an easy place to visit from Okayama station by bus 77 from platform 13 for 150 yen. Bus journey is about 15-20 mins and its a short 5 min walk to the garden entrance. We did not take the train as it runs every 30 mins just like the bus and you have to walk ca 15-20 mins from the station to the garden. There are paved roads in the garden to walk, plenty of birds of various species, and definitely a place for spring sakura (cherry blossom) visit. This place seemed not to have a lot of visitors which is a shame as its well maintained, trees labeled with species name. There is no cafe or a place to eat inside. We found a very nice cafe called Canal cafe ca 50 m from the return bust stop by accident and had a very good lunch - highly unexpected and delightful with a friendly owner ( studied in NY and runs a real estate business) and his dad helping out.
9. Nishigawa Canal Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By geelongexpat - Chatan-cho, Japan
Interesting walkway through the city. The garden along the canal is pretty. There are lots of statues and quirks along the way. You can also dart off to a restaurant or convenience store as well.
10. AEON MALL Mall Okayama
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 432 reviews
Reviewed By TheDoor_isopen - Tuggeranong, Australia
I had to get directions from Tourist Information for this mall as it wasn't well signposted. You can however, walk through the myriad of tunnels to it from Okayama Station. There's a Tokyo Hands and Aeon Style store and many other chain stores. There are a lot of "beauty" and clothing shops and a comprehensive world wide supermarket, wine shop and information centre. It's one of the biggest malls I've seen so far in Japan. It can be a bit overwhelming.
