From Wikitravel

Okayama (岡山; [1]) is the capital of Okayama prefecture in the Chugoku region of Japan, on the southern coast of the island of Honshu.

Contents 1 Get in 1.1 By plane 1.2 By train 1.3 By bus 2 Get around 3 See 4 Do 5 Buy 6 Eat 7 Drink 8 Sleep 9 Get out

Get in

Momotarō the Peach Boy According to Japanese legend, an old, childless couple found a peach floating down the river, and inside they found a baby boy, who said he was sent down from heaven to be their son. They duly adopted him and named him Momotarō (桃太郎), or (quite literally) "Peach Boy". When he grew up, he went to an island known as Onigashima (Demon Island), befriended a dog, a monkey and a pheasant, with their help defeated the demons and lived happily ever after. The legend is strongly linked with Okayama and today even Okayama's main shopping street is known as Momotarō-dōri (Momotaro St).

By plane

Air service is offered into Okayama from several airports, including Tokyo, Sapporo, Sendai, Kagoshima and Okinawa. Buses make a 40-minute run to the Okayama train station (¥680).

By train

Okayama is a major stop on the Sanyo Shinkansen route. All shinkansen trains stop at Okayama, and some even start or terminate here.

The most frequent services are the Nozomi trains that operate on the entire shinkasen route; trains depart Tokyo every 20 minutes or so. Hikari Rail Star trains also make frequent runs, stopping in Okayama on runs between Osaka and both Kokura Station in Kitakyushu and Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

There is also one Hikari train per hour that runs from Tokyo to Okayama, but it takes a bit longer since the train stops at all stations after Nagoya.

Okayama is also the starting point of Marine Liner express trains across the Seto Inland Sea to Takamatsu and other destinations on the island of Shikoku. Many of these trains are timed for seamless connections with Nozomi train arrivals.

Note that you cannot use Nozomi trains with the Japan Rail Pass.

If you do not have a Japan Rail Pass it is possible to travel cheaply overnight from Okayama to Matsuyama, Kochi and Fukuoka during University vacation periods using Moonlight Special Rapid services. These are very popular and tend to get booked a month in advance.

An alternative way to get to Osaka is to take a local train or the Shinkansen to Nishi Akashi near Himeji and transfer to a Special Rapid service which travels through Osaka and Kyoto. Unfortunately the local service to Akashi runs only once an hour and takes around 90 minutes but the Special Rapid service provides a good alternative to the Shinkansen around Kobe,Osaka and Kyoto.

Local trains also run northward several times daily to Tottori City in Tottori prefecture This scenic trip across the mountain range takes about two hours.

By bus

Chugoku JR Bus operates an overnight bus service, the Kibi Dream from Tokyo Station and the Yokohama City Air Terminal (YCAT) to Okayama. The travel time is approximately ten hours from Tokyo (¥10000 one way, ¥16600 round trip) and nine hours from Yokohama (¥9700 one way, ¥16200 round trip).

Daytime buses operated by Ryobi Bus run hourly from Osaka Namba (3 hours, ¥3060 one way, ¥5610 round trip), and five times daily from Kyoto (3 1/4 hours, ¥3500 one way, ¥6300 round trip).

Get around

A convenient tram line runs east from JR Okayama Station along Momotaro-Odori until Okayama Castle, then turning south towards Saidaiji.

See

Okayama's main sights are all clustered in a large park on the eastern side. From Okayama station, just take the tram three stops east to Shiroshita 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 for the time being. After that at 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 are the “red-crested white cranes” kept in captivity. There are only 61 cranes in Japan and 8 of them are in Okayama. From January to April is the best season to watch the cranes. They are well cared for and put on flying exhibitions in the park area at special times throughout the year. Entering through the South Gate, the first impression 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 'a'Tsukimi-kyo) from the front of Okayama Castle to get in. Entry ¥350, open 8 AM to 5 PM daily.

• 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) 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 are few and far between but at least you can practice your court Japanese with a soap opera on video. Entry into the main donjon ¥300, open 9 AM to 5 PM daily.

• Oriental Museum is worth a quick stop. Entry is 600 yen, 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 quite close to Kourakuen. It is a well known place for western zen students; all of the resident monks are from outside of Japan and the Abbot of the temple has an American wife. Open meditation sessions are from 8am to 9am most Sundays and are usually followed by a simple tea ceremony. The lake behind the temple beautifully reflects the surrounding countryside and is famous for one of the largest cherry blossom trees in Okayama. The meditation session is free of charge. Take a bus from Tenmaya Bus Station and get off at Sogenji-mae bus stop. The temple is at the base of a large hill.

• Momotaro Statue, east exit of Okayama station. A popular photo-op with tourists. You'll find Momotarou 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.

• Muscat Stadium. The biggest 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.
• 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 commom people in the world. 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. The leaves turn. Especially, the kai(楷) trees are very famous. The kai is called the tree of learning. The entrance fee is ￥300. Shizutani School is open from 9AM to 5PM. It takes about 10 minutes from JR Yoshinaga station by car. It costs about 1200 yen from JR Yoshinaga station by taxi.

Do

• Momotorō Festival. Held yearly in July-August in commemoration of the mythical Peach Boy (see box), this two-day festival is held on (where else?) Momotarō-dōri in the heart of the city. The main event of the festival is the Uraja Dance, where uraja means ogre in the Okayama dialect. Teams practice for half a year before performing, painting their faces like ogres and wearing different homemade costumes.

• Cherry Blossom Festival is held along the Asahi River which is on the east side of Korakuen park. The date of this festival change 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. They also barbecue and picnic there.

Buy

Bizen-yaki (備前焼), originating from the nearby town of Bizen, is a famous (and very expensive) type of Japanese pottery. Made from red clay and unglazed, nearly anything — dishes, cups, vases, bowls, pots — can be made from it, and according to legend it improves the taste of anything you drink from it. There are many shops that sell Bizen-yaki and kilns around Inbe station, and also, there is the Bizen-yaki Traditional Industrial Hall (備前焼伝統産業会館), where visitors can not only appreciate the works but also make of Bizenyaki. In October, Bizen-yaki festival is held near Inbe station. About 150,000 people visit it every year. Visitors can buy Bizen-yaki cheaply and appreciate a large number of Bizen-yaki pieces and visitors can see how the ceramists make it. Visitors can make Bizen-yaki themselves. Visitors can make Bizen-yaki at Bishugama (備州窯) in Bizen-city. The charge is 2,625~3675 yen (except postage), and it need to reserve. The works finish in 3~4months. It takes 35 minutes and costs 570 yen from Okayama station to Inbe station by train. In addition, visitors can make Bizen-yaki at Okayama Bizen-yaki Factory(おかやま備前焼工房), which is in Okayama city. From Okayama station, just take the tram three stops east to Shiroshita(城下) and need 5-minute walk to get there. Visitors need a reservation to make Bizen-yaki and it costs 2,000 yen (except postage). It takes about 2 months to finish the works.

Eat

The local delicacy is sawara　(鰆), a white-fleshed fish translated into English alternatively as "trout" or "horse mackerel." A popular takeaway option is matsuri-zushi (祭り寿司), the local version of chirashi-zushi (seafood scattered on top of vinegared sushi rice), sold in a peach-shaped box at Okayama station kiosks. Last but not least, thanks to the whole Momotaro saga Okayama is also famous for its luscious peaches.

• Asuka (飛鳥), across the street from the west side of Okayama Station, serves aji sashimi, vinegared aji and deep-fried aji. Perhaps more of a drinking spot/pub than a restaurant, Asuka is still a fine place for food and drink and an excellent place to experience "after-work Japan" in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

• Fruits of Okayama: Fruit of farming is one of the most famous agricultural products of Okayama. Many variety of fruits are grown in Okayama, especially, white peaches, muscats, pione grapes, and melons. They are grown in the north of okayama on hilly terrain.Muscats (the formal name is Muscat of Alexandria)have an excellent taste, so, they are called "Queen of Fruit". The best season to eat muscat is the beginning of October. It have been producted since 1886. Now, about 95 percent of Japan muscat production is from Okayama. "New pione" is a kind of grape, there are no pips. It is popular in Okayama.

"Momotaro-muscat" which is also a kind of grape, which there are no pips and you can eat the peel, too. Recently, it is a very popular. The production of muscats and pione grapes are the highest in Japan. The price of muscat is about the cheapest 2,000yen by a bunche of muscat, the highest is 10,000yen. The price of pione grapes is about cheapest 1,000yen by a bunche of grape. These sherbet, jelly and wine are mede for souvenir. You can buy them at souvenir shop or department store. The price of muscat wine is about 2,000yen, and fruit jelly is about 2,00yen there are eight jellies in one box.

Drink

• Aussie Bar - Local watering-hole for expats and the Japanese who love them. From the main exit of the train station, go down the main street and take a left when you come to the river. Aussie Bar is two blocks down on the left.

Sleep

• Okayama Seinen-Kaikan (岡山青年会館, lit. "Youth Meeting Hall"; tel. 086-252-0651; [2]) is a youth hostel in an older, slowly crumbling Japanese-style house, painted a peachy shade of pink. Rooms are tatami and reasonably comfortable, if a bit worn around the edges. The hostel is a kilometer-long walk through the shopping arcade from the western side of the station, or you can shortcut by taking the bus. One night ¥2940 (HI members) plus optional breakfast for ¥525.

• Matsunoki Ryokan (19-1 Ekimotocho, Okayama City, Okayama Tel 086-253-4111) is a moderately priced Japanese-style hotel that is only a two minute walk from the west entrance of Okayama Station. Available are western style rooms and Japanese style rooms, with or without private toilet/bath.

• Okayama International Villas, [3]. 5 villas located in different parts of Okayama Prefecture, catering specifically to international guests. The villas are self-contained with their own cooking areas, Western-style toilets, linen and laundry facilities. Each villa is different - Hattoji is an old farmhouse, whereas Takebe is a modern building designed by a local architect.

Get out

Okayama is a good place to launch day-trips to most of western Honshu and even Shikoku as it is the regional transportation hub.

• Bizen, known for its pottery, is the place to use up your inheritance on a single tea cup.
• Himeji, with the striking White Egret Castle, is 50 kilometers to the east along the Sanyo line.
• Kotohira, home to Shikoku's largest shrine Konpirasan, is one hour away by express train.
• Kurashiki, known for its well-preserved merchant quarters and Japan's oldest art museum, is only 15 minutes away.
• Naoshima, a small island on Seto Inland Sea with superb contemporary art museums, can be easily reached from Uno port (one hour by JR train).
• Yunogo Onsen (hot spring)

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