Okayama Prefecture

Okayama, the "Land of Sunshine," known for Korakuen Garden, the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and Seto Inland Sea scenery.

Okayama Prefecture lies in the southeast of Honshu's Chugoku region, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the south, and is called the "Land of Sunshine" for its abundant sunny days. Korakuen is one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, facing the black-walled Okayama Castle across the river. The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter preserves white-walled storehouses and a willow-lined canal, and the Ohara Museum of Art holds a rich collection of Western art. Okayama is also known for fruits such as peaches and grapes and for the Momotaro legend, and from Uno Port you can reach Naoshima. It is good to visit all year, with spring and autumn the best. Okayama Station is an important San'yo Shinkansen stop and the rail hub for Shikoku.

Destinations

• Okayama & Kurashiki
• Takamatsu & Naoshima

Itineraries

• Sanyo & Setouchi Classic Rail Tour – A first-timer's route using the Shinkansen to connect Himeji, Kurashiki, Naoshima, Onomichi, Hiroshima, and Miyajima.
• Shikoku Grand Loop Self-Drive – Embark on a grand loop from Naruto through Iya, Kochi, Shimanto, Ashizuri, Uwajima, and Dogo, ending in Kotohira and Ta…
• Classic Shikoku Rail Loop – Enter via Okayama to Takamatsu, connecting Naoshima, Kotohira, Oboke, Kochi, Matsuyama, and Uchiko by rail, with no dri…
• Setouchi Art Islands Hopping – Depart from Takamatsu to connect Naoshima, Teshima, and Shodoshima, exploring art museums, islands, and Ritsurin Garden.
• Shikoku Henro Highlights & Mount Koya – Follow the traditional pilgrimage route to representative temples from Tokushima to Kagawa, complete the journey at Oku…
• Chugoku Region San'in & Sanyo Grand Loop Self-Drive – Depart from Okayama to loop around western Honshu, covering both the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea sides in one…