Things to do in Okayama City

​I visited Kurashiki last Sunday and absolutely loved it! The town perfectly blends Edo-period charm with modern cafes. The atmosphere is lively yet incredibly relaxing. I highly recommend using this pass! It is incredibly worth it. You can redeem it for activities like the traditional canal boat ride, museum entries, or local snacks. It saves a lot of money and is super convenient.

Every castle in Japan has a nickname. Okayama Castle's nickname is Karajo, so the so-called Karajo Park actually means Okayama Castle Park. It is a park composed of the Okayama Castle tower and the moat in front. The entire park is not large, but the location is still very good. If you come from Korakuen, you can cross an iron bridge and a wider river to reach it. After buying a combined ticket, there is no obstruction. It is called a park, but it is more of the scope of Honmaru. You can row a boat on the river, which is a very nice scenery.

It can only be said that the castle ruins are gone. Not a single stone can be seen. The only things that can be photographed are the lotus that Muneharu Shimizu planted in the Honmaru, his grave, and a poster about the flooding of Takamatsu Castle. However, there is a supermarket on the roadside across the railway from the train station. For a supermarket in such a small place, there are only old men and women. It still has everything, selling seasonal chrysanthemum bouquets, and also buying a lot of Japanese plant and vegetable seeds. Now is the season for planting radish and cabbage seeds.

In fact, in addition to the well-known Momotaro legend, there is another historical theory that the Momotaro story evolved from the story of the ancient Okayama royal family "Kibitsuhiko-no-Mikoto" conquering the Ura who occupied Kibi Province. Therefore, now in many places in the Okayama area, you can see things with "Momotaro" as the theme, and there are also many Momotaro legend-related attractions!

I go back and forth once a month, but that's my favorite scenery, so if I have time, stop the car and take a walk. The ancient scenery is protected due to construction restrictions, and the five-story pagoda that blends in with the rural scenery is irresistible. All four seasons are good, but the highlight in early spring is the rape flowers. You can fully relax in the scenery surrounded by flowers and the spring breeze that radiates light. When it's a little more, it's a single-sided brick.

It's a beautiful place, I've been there for the second time.

Hidden within this room lies the charm of nature. Pushing open the door, verdant greenery greets you first. Leaning against the window, the murmuring of a spring fills the air, while mist and haze drift into the room along the window sill. Each season presents its own unique beauty here: spring brings forth new bamboo shoots, summer offers lush shade, autumn fills the courtyard with the fragrance of osmanthus, and winter sees snow tapping against the window. Every detail in the room reflects thoughtful consideration: the mattress's firmness perfectly supports a tired back, the toiletries have a pleasant, non-irritating scent, and a warm, yellow light awaits you at the door when you return late at night. This is not just a temporary resting place, but a sanctuary for the soul. After a few days, even the most tense nerves gradually relax, allowing you to rediscover your most relaxed state.

Довольно неплохая смотровая площадка с интересной архитектурой. Будьте готовы к очередям в предзакатное/ закатное время и к тому, что выход из здания занимает даже больше времени, чем вход в эти часы. В целом довольны посещением.

Fushimi Inari Taisha was a magical place. So beautiful for pictures. We went early evening before it got dark and it was perfect as not too many people. Highly recommended in Kyoto.