Okayama Self-Guided Tour: Direct flights from Hong Kong to Okayama are now available, making it a convenient base for exploring the Seto Inland Sea islands, the Sanyo Line (westward route) through Hiroshima and Yamaguchi prefectures, and even as far as Fukuoka. What are some must-see places in Okayama?
1. Okayama Food and Travel: White Peach and Korakuen Garden
Okayama Prefecture is the hometown of the legendary "Momotaro." With 270 sunny days a year, it's known as the "Land of Sunny Days." Its specialty is white peaches, harvested every summer, with the picking season in July and August. A must-see in Okayama City is Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens (the other two being Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, and Kairakuen Garden in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture).
Korakuen Garden was a leisure spot for Ikeda Tsunamasa, the lord of the Okayama Domain, 300 years ago. It has been preserved since the Edo period. Its architectural feature is that it is a strolling garden with an open view. The central "Sawa Pond" is decorated with island teahouses and Sari Island with white sand and green pines, which is like an enlarged bonsai.
Besides Korakuen Garden, another must-see attraction is Kurashiki, which is only a 20-minute drive from Okayama. It is a city that prospered during the Edo period with its shipping industry and has preserved its white-walled and gray-tiled buildings. Taking a boat tour offers a wonderful atmosphere.
2. Setouchi Art Festival - Trendy Toys
A direct flight to Okayama offers not only the opportunity to visit the city's famous attractions, but another major draw is its use as a gateway to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea to enjoy this year's (twice-a-triennial) international art festival. Previously, traveling from Okayama to Takamatsu by JR train took less than an hour. The festival is held in three seasons: spring, summer, and autumn. Spring has already concluded; summer runs from July 18th to September 4th; and autumn runs from October 8th to November 6th.
This year's art festival features 12 participating islands, including Naoshima, Teshima, Megijima, Ogijima, Shodoshima, Oshima, Inujima, and the "autumn-limited" Honjima, Takamijima, and Awashima. Of course, Naoshima and Teshima have the most concentrated and talked-about art.Shodoshima IslandA 4-day, 3-night island-hopping tour is possible from Okayama.
For transportation, a 3-day pass with unlimited ferry rides is available, costing 2,500 yen / HK$177 for adults and 1,250 yen / HK$88 for children.
3. Okayama Base - Tour of the "Chugoku Region"
Actually, Okayama and the other four prefectures, namely Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Shimane and Tottori, are also known as the "Chūgoku region" (San'in and San'yō). Using Okayama as a base, you can travel to these five prefectures. The most convenient way is to use the "San'yō-San'in Area Rail Pass", which is valid for 7 days. It costs 19,000 yen for adults / HK$1,347 for children and 9,500 yen / HK$673 for children.
You can spend two days there. First, head west to the most famous Hiroshima, including the atomic bomb dome and the outer island of Miyajima. Don't miss the famous Hiroshima oysters. Then, go to Yamaguchi Prefecture. Yamaguchi City is known as the "Western Kyoto" because its layout is modeled after the former capital, Kyoto. Every summer, it holds the "Gion Festival," a folk event. A two-day trip is enough.
Continuing northeast is Shimane Prefecture, boasting abundant natural scenery. Watching the sunset at Lake Shishido and admiring the unique rock formations at Tachikuse Gorge are excellent choices, but hiking there requires two days. Then there's Tottori Prefecture, known as the "Anime Capital," where characters from works by Gosho Aoyama (author of *Detective Conan*) and Shigeru Mizuki (author of *GeGeGe no Kitaro*) can be found everywhere. A day is well worth exploring there.
4. Traveling from Okayama to Osaka: Using the Amazing Pass is the most cost-effective option.
Buy a "Journey to the West: Setouchi Area Railway Pass" to travel from Osaka to Fukuoka.
You can also enter from Okayama and exit from Osaka (or vice versa). You might also consider purchasing the "Saishi Travelogue: Setouchi Area Railway Pass" from a Hong Kong travel agency. It costs 16,000 yen for adults / 1,135 Hong Kong dollars, and children are half price. It allows unlimited rides within the designated area for 5 days.
- Ordinary class unreserved seats on the Sanyo Shinkansen (selectable from Osaka to Hakata);
- The region's super express trains, express trains, and local trains, including the Shiokaze (Anpanman train) from Okayama to Ibaraki;
- Shodoshima Ferry (Takamatsu Port - Shodoshima Port).
- Onomichi Bus in Hiroshima Prefecture, "Shimanami Cycle Express" (from Onomichi Station to Imabari Station in Ehime Prefecture).