Explore Okayama

Learn about Okayama

AI is finding the best recommendations for you, it may take minutes...

Best Things to Do in Okayama – Tourist Spots and What to Eat

Practical, photo-rich guide to Okayama and Kurashiki covering top sights (Kōraku-en, Okayama Castle, Kurashiki Bikan Quarter), local food suggestions, access tips, and short-day itineraries aimed at first-time visitors.

Okayama and Kurashiki Guide: Travel, Local Food, Festivals

Compact cultural and practical guide with background on major attractions (Kibitsu Shrine, Ohara Museum, Manekineko Museum), seasonal highlights, recommended cafés, and notes on local festivals and foods.

The Ultimate Kurashiki Travel Guide: Explore, Eat, Shop, and Stay

Deep-dive focused on Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter with restaurant and street-food picks, shopping for local denim and crafts, boat-ride details, and where to stay for a relaxed visit.

Okayama Travel Guide - What to do in Okayama City

Authoritative, long-form travel guide covering Okayama’s must-see sites including Kōraku-en and Okayama Castle, side trips (Naoshima, Bitchu-Takahashi), transport logistics, and seasonal advice for planning visits.

Kurashiki | Okayama | Destinations | Travel Japan (JNTO official)

Official tourism overview of Kurashiki from Japan’s national tourism site with concise highlights, access information, and curated recommendations for shopping, museums, and specialty foods.

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Honmachi, Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture 710-0046

Historic merchant quarter that used canals to transport goods; preserved white-walled storehouses and willow-lined streets have been repurposed into museums, shops and cafes, creating a retro-modern cultural hub.

Okayama Korakuen Garden

1-5 Korakuen, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

One of Japan’s three great landscape gardens, created in the Edo period as a strolling garden for feudal lords; known for carefully composed vistas, ponds and seasonal plantings.

Okayama Castle (岡山城)

2-3-1 Marunouchi, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

Famed for its black exterior (earning the nickname 'Crow Castle'), the castle dates to the 16th century; reconstructed after wartime damage and now houses exhibits about local history and samurai culture.

Ohara Museum of Art

1-1-15 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture

Japan’s first museum of Western art established by local collector Ohara Magosaburo; it holds an important collection of Western masterpieces alongside Japanese art, making Kurashiki a cultural destination.

Kojima Denim District (Kojima)

Kojima area, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture

Kojima developed into Japan’s denim production center; local factories and shops produce high-quality denim garments and promote a distinct craftsmanship culture centered on jeans-making.

Stroll Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Walk the preserved white-walled canal streets lined with willow trees, traditional storehouses, cafes and art museums.

Beautiful retro streetscape, many cafes and craft shops, plus cultural spots such as the Ohara Museum make this an all-in-one cultural experience.

Visit Okayama Korakuen Garden

One of Japan’s three famous landscape gardens featuring ponds, tea houses, walking paths and seasonal plantings.

Immaculate traditional garden design with seasonal beauty and a peaceful contrast to the nearby castle and city center.

Explore Okayama Castle (and surrounding castle town)

Black castle tower (nicknamed 'Crow Castle') with reconstructed keeps, moat views and nearby historical sites.

Iconic city landmark offering castle architecture, museum exhibits and scenic views across the moat and Korakuen garden.

Shop Kojima Denim & Kurashiki crafts

Discover Kojima’s denim workshops and Kurashiki canvas/handicraft shops to see and buy locally made textiles and apparel.

Kojima is internationally respected for high-quality denim—buying directly supports local artisans and yields unique, durable souvenirs.

Taste local specialties and sweets (kibi dango, fruit parfaits, manju)

Sample signature treats across shops and cafes: kibi dango, regional pastries, fresh-fruit parfaits and steamed manju.

Food is an easy way to experience local culture — Okayama’s sweets and fruit-based desserts are celebrated and widely available.