Skip to navigation Skip to main content

Okayama Travel Guide The land of Sunshine in Japan

Sunny day, blue skies in a garden in Okayama

After visiting one or many of the 55 golf courses Okayama prefecture has to offer, be sure to take time to explore this beautiful rural landscaped area. Affectionately referred to as “the land of sunshine” by the locals, Okayama has a mild climate and boasts having the most number of fine days per year in Japan, making any time of year comfortable to visit. Located in the Chugoku region, the prefecture’s capital Okayama city is easily reached from Kyoto and Osaka by a 1hr Shinkansen ride.

Things to do

Okayama Castle is black, often called Crow Castle

Okayama Prefecture contains many historic sites of interest so it is hard to choose just a select few. The most notable however, would be Okayama Korakuen Garden (後楽園) with its 3 star rating in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. This garden was built over 300 years ago and has 13 ha worth of ponds, hills, a teahouse (great opportunity to try traditional Japanese green tea)  and spectacular views of Okayama castle. Once you have finished strolling the garden, take a walk through Okayama castle (岡山城). Here you can dress up in traditional clothes and walk through the castle like a feudal lord or lady-- taken back in time to the Edo period.

Other sites worth visiting are the well-preserved canals in Kurashiki city (倉敷市), the “castle in the sky” (an original mountain-top castle) in Bitchu-Takahashi(松山城), the modern art in Inujima Island(犬島) and the Japanese sword museum where you can see how the blades are hand crafted.

 

Events and Seasonal Happenings

Korakuen in fall at night and illuminated

There is something going on in every month but the most popular tourist driven events are in Summer and Autumn. Okayama Korakuen Garden puts on a “special late night garden of dreams” during this time. Here, the picturesque garden is lit up by hundreds of lanterns and illuminations giving it a hint of fantasy and romance.

The first Sunday in April is when you can witness a 1km in length procession of people dressed in traditional costumes marching through Okayama city in the Goshinko festival. If you’ve just missed that, then on the fourth Sunday in April you can still participate in the Yosei tea ceremony event which has been running since 1933.

Flavors of Okayama

Japanese white peaches from Okayama prefecture

When you think of Okayama prefecture you think fresh air and fresh food. Due to the location and climate, Okayama spoils its visitors with both exceptional fresh fruit from the inland and fresh seafood from the coast. Often referred to as the ‘Fruit Kingdom’, Okayama prefecture produces high quality fruits, in particular, muscat grapes and white peaches. If you are visiting in summer than be sure to go pick your own juicy sweet white peaches. If you are visiting in Autumn than muscat grapes are hanging there just ripe for you to pluck.

From jewels of the hills to jewels of the sea, fresh oysters from Hinase are another very popular delicacy in this prefecture. If you are lucky enough to visit a seafood market, the chef will cook one right up in front of you! Be sure to also try oyster okonomiyaki - a delicious seafood spin on the traditional japanese savoury pancake. Oyster season is from October through until March.

 

What to Bring Back

Front entrance of Hiruzen winery in Okayama prefecture

Even if you missed the  grape picking season, you can still take home a bottled up version of the local mountain grapes from Hiruzen winery in Maniwa city. Hiruzen winery produces a diverse range of wines some of which contain wild grapes only found in Japan.

Of course for unique wine you are going to need some unique wine glasses. Kurashiki glassware is hand-blown and crafted by artisans in Okayama. Each piece has a high-quality design and a handmade texture with a thickness that is durable enough to take back home with you without concern.

Where to Stay

Mitsui Garden Hotel Okayama

Right next to Okayama station, this hotel is perfect for access to and ease of travel around Okayama prefecture. This hotel has large rooms and a satisfying buffet breakfast as well as nearby shops and restaurants to explore. https://www.gardenhotels.co.jp/

Awai Onsen

Very close to the Koraku golf course, this onsen hotel is a very traditional Japanese style of stay. Your rooms will have tatami mats and Japanese style furniture and you will be spoilt with seasonal traditional Japanese delicacies for dinner. Hot springs and and a beautiful mountain backdrop make this hotel a truly relaxing stay. https://www.awaionsen.com/

Wrap up

Why engage in that classic beach vs mountain debate when you can have both? With coastal views and mountain backdrops to take in, the abundance of  fresh fruit and seafood to dine on, and of course the 55 golf courses to choose from, your stay in Okayama will not disappoint.

Check out all of the Golf courses here

Getting there

From Tokyo
Catch the JR Tokaido/Sanyo shinkansen straight to Okayama station. The trip takes 4 hours and is is covered by the JR Rail Pass (otherwise around 16,500yen one way).  

Alternatively, you can get there a little faster via plane. ANA offer flights from Haneda to Okayama, taking around 1hr 15 mins and costing approx. 12,500 to 37,000yen one way.

From Osaka

Catch the Sanyo shinkansen from Shin-Osaka station and you will arrive in Okayama station within 50 minutes. This trip is covered by the JR Rail Pass (otherwise 5,500 yen one way).
 

 

 

Share

More on Air

What happens if your ball strikes another players ball? Golfing Rules, Seriously!

On the course this past weekend, I putt from just off the green and my ball struck my playing partners ball, knocking it closer to the hole.

After a quick giggle, we began to discuss the ruling, 'I'll play from there and its a one-shot penalty for you' my friend said. 'I was off the green' I said, 'Doesn't matter' he said. Right, I said. 'Hang on, and I'll consult the rule book'.

Luckily, I had The R&A's Rules of Golf on my phone (Well worth a download and it's FREE)

Without quoting the book verbatim, there are basically three scenarios which you should be mindful of:

On the Fairway (updated June 14th, 2023) If your ball strikes a fellow player's ball on the fairway by accident, The 9.6 rule comes into affect, meaning If my ball...

What happens if I ground my club in a bunker? The new rules of golf explained

In 2020, the US Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A) made several changes to the rules of golf.

One major change was to the "drop procedure" when a ball is lost or out of bounds. Players are now allowed to drop the ball from shoulder height, rather than knee height, making the process more consistent and less prone to mistakes. Another change was to the rule regarding penalty strokes. Players will no longer be penalized for accidentally moving a ball on the green, such as when marking or lifting it.

Additionally, players are now allowed to repair almost any damage to the course, such as spike marks on the green. The changes also include simplifying the rules for bunkers, allowing players to touch or move loose impediments...