Things to do in Okayama 岡山旅游攻略

THINGS TO DO IN OKAYAMA 岡山旅游攻略

Konnichiwa, Okayama! It's good to be back in Japan again after 4 months. To be honest, I have been to Japan several times but this is my first visit to Okayama and I'm so EXCITED! I can't wait to share with you guys the itineraries and details. Today's post is all about things to do in Okayama. Basically, I will list out all the attractions, cuisine, accommodation and my experience here. It will be a general post and if I got extra time, I will blog another post for further details. Thus, enjoy reading now! (This post might be quite lengthy but full of information that you need so please bear with me).


ABOUT OKAYAMA

For your info, Okayama is located in the heart of Western Japan and offers smooth access to many major tourist destinations. Conveniently located between the popular tourist destinations of Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Throughout the year, Okayama is blessed with minimal rain and a mild climate, earning it the nickname the “Land of Sunshine.” Grown in Okayama’s sun-soaked earth, the local fruits offer unparalleled flavour, fragrance, and sweetness. Come and taste Okayama’s seasonal fruits, from white peaches to Muscat and Pione grapes! Okayama Prefecture is dotted with buildings that bring the landscape of historic Japan to life as well as beautiful tourist spots that offer untouched landscapes.

In northern Okayama, visitors can enjoy beautiful nature by experiencing a wide variety of natural landscapes that change with the seasons, and numerous onsen (hot springs). In southern Okayama, the many beautiful islands dotting the Setonaikai (The Inland Sea) and the sun setting among the waves are just a few of the superb views visitors can find. From the world-famous paintings found in the Ohara Museum of Art to the enjoyable island art tours to cycling,
factory tours, and so much more, there’s plenty to do in Okayama!


BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
The best time to visit Okayama in Japan is from May until October when you will have a pleasant or warm temperature and limited until little rainfall. The highest average temperature in Okayama is 30°C in august and the lowest is 8°C in January. The weather and climate of Okayama are suitable for a fun vacation.

Since I'm visiting the prefecture in October, so let's talk about the weather this month. On average, it is a maximum of 21° in October in Okayama and at least around 15° degrees. In October, there are 10 days of rainfall with a total of 54 mm and it will be dry 21 days this month in Okayama. It is a suitable month for road trips, walking and cycling vacation.


HOW TO ACCESS
You may arrive in Okayama by air at the Okayama Airport (OKJ). The airport is located about 35 minutes north of the city centre when travelling by direct buses connecting with Okayama Station. If you are arriving from another city, travel by train is simple using the Japan Rail Pass.

From Tokyo to Okayama
From Tokyo Station, take the Hikari train on the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Line to Okayama Station. The trip takes about four hours and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. 

From Kyoto to Okayama
From Kyoto Station, take the Hikari train on the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Line to Okayama Station. One such train departs from Kyoto each hour, and the trip takes about 90 minutes. It is also covered by the JR Pass. 

From Osaka to Okayama
If travelling from Osaka, you will also take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen Line. The trip from Osaka Station to Okayama Station takes about 45 minutes. The Hikari train is covered by the JR Pass, and additional trains may be covered by other area-wide passes.

From Hiroshima to Okayama
From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Line to Okayama Station. This trip takes around three hours and 15 minutes and is covered by the JR Pass. 


ATTRACTIONS

Bikan Historical Quarter

During the Edo Period (1603-1867), Kurashiki was an important point along the distribution route of Japan's most important commodity, rice. Large quantities of rice from the surrounding area were brought into Kurashiki and intermediately stored there in storehouses before being shipped to Osaka and Edo. Because of the city's importance in the rice trade, Kurashiki was put under the direct control of the shogunate, and the city was even named after its many storehouses (kura).




Canals were built to allow boats and barges to navigate between the city's storehouses and the nearby port. A central section of the city's former canal system has been preserved in the Bikan Historical Quarter (倉敷美観地区, Kurashiki Bikan Chiku). The weeping willow trees that line the canal and the stone bridges that cross over the water make for a picturesque scene.




Along the canal, there are many of the original storehouses that were so central to the city's identity. Recognizable by their white walls and black tiles, the former storehouses have been converted into cafes, boutiques, souvenir shops and a number of museums.

There are also a few swam 'models' at the river who ready to pose whenever you're taking pictures of them. Lol. 


Denim Kimono is a MUST TRY when you pay a visit here! Do you know that the first jean made in Japan was in Okayama!? To be honest, I tried the kimono for several times but this is my first time trying denim kimono because I found it quite unique. The rental package also included for the hairdo, hair accessories, cute bag and shoes as well.


We also tried the popular white peach and muscat grape sorbet ice cream here. These fruits are famous in Okayama so don't forget to try them both. I personally prefer the muscat grape sorbet because it tastes a little bit sour which I like. The white peach ice cream is sweet and loves the fragrance as well. Once you take a small bite, your whole mouth is full of the white peach's fragrance! So peachy~

Details
Location : Honmachi, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-0054, Japan.
Opening hours : 24 hours
How to access : The canal area is a 10-15 minute walk from Kurashiki Station's south exit. The main road, Motomachi-dori, leads south from the station to the canal area, but walking through the parallel shopping arcade is more enjoyable and almost as fast. Travellers, who would rather not walk from the station, can take a bus to the Ohara Bijutsukan bus stop (2 minutes, 170 yen), which is located just beside the Ohara Museum.


Hamayoshi

Hamayoshi (滨吉) is a local cuisine which served local food (郷土料理). The seafood brought up by the frosty days of the mother Setouchi. Delivering delicate taste rather than sophistication, you can enjoy the taste of small fish unique to Setouchi. They want their customers to enjoy the life of Seto born in Kurashiki and raised in Kurashiki.


We had a Mamakari set meal which includes Mamakari sashimi, Mamakari pickles, Mamakari sushi, small bowl, miso soup, sweetness (cost 2,500 yen) The set meals are served until 2pm. Overall the food tastes great especially the Mamakari sushi as it's my first time tasting it. The owner is super duper friendly as well.

Details
Location : 19-30 Achi 2-chome, Kurashiki 710-0055, Japan.
Opening hours : Daily (11:30am - 2:00pm Lunch); (5:00pm - 10:00pm Dinner)


Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki

Located in front of Kurashiki Station, this large outlet mall features shops from well-known domestic and international brands selling goods at unusually affordable prices. This mall offers a rich assortment of products including clothes, bags, shoes, toys, kitchen goods, and cosmetics. A number of shops also offer tax exemptions, making this a perfect destination for souvenirs. 

We just dropped by here for 20 minutes (I know right, but no choice since we need to rush for the next destination). Thus, I only managed to grab the shirt from Tommy Hilfiger and that's all. Well well, at least I got something right?

Details
Location : 12-3 Kotobuki Town, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
Opening hours : Daily (10:00am - 8:00pm)
How to access : 3 min on foot from JR Kurashiki Station.


Great Seto Bridge (Seto Ohashi)




The world's longest two-tiered bridge system, the Seto Ohashi, is an architectural feat visible from space that took a decade to build. It connects Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture on Honshu with five islands by both road and rail, ending up in the city of Sakaide on Shikoku.


You can either take a seat on the top deck to enjoy the sunset view or stay under the lower deck to prevent the windy weather. Both are enjoyable. At first, we went to the top deck for about half an hour. After the sunset, we went to the lower deck and chill while on the way back to the port. I even almost fall asleep while on the way back. The sea breeze is too comfy.


Details
How to access : Get to the area first by shinkansen to either Shin-Okayama Station or Shin-Kurashiki Station, then take regular JR trains to JR Kojima Station. Take the Seto-Ohashi Line from JR Okayama Station to JR Kojima Station. To get to the bridge, take a Shimoden bus from JR Kojima Station headed for Sakaide Station, and get off at Seto-Ohashi FW (Fishing Wharf). To cross the bridge via train, take the JR Seto-Ohashi Line from JR Kojima Station headed for Takamatsu Station.


Betty Smith Jeans Museum



Meet Betty Smith! Founded in 1962, this museum shop is operated by the venerable jeans manufacturer Betty Smith. As the only jeans museum in Japan, the Betty Smith Jeans Museum not only introduces visitors to the jeans-manufacturing process but also allows visitors to work in the museum’s workshop customizing their own pair of jeans by attaching their choice of parts (buttons, rivets, etc.) as well as to try their hand at making mobile phone straps (fee required).


We got the opportunity to customize our own keychain. Since it was Hello Kitty's 45th anniversary (used to be a huge fan) so of course, I choose the button of it. Turns out the outcome not bad right? The process of making will be included in the video.


These entirely custom-made jeans can also be shipped internationally. A nearby outlet shop, where visitors can purchase high-quality jeans, allows visitors not only to experience the process but also to go shopping. There are some artists who purposely came here to customize their jeans. You can see some photos are displayed there. 


Kojima Jeans Street



Denim fans from all over Japan come to this shopping district of reformed older storefronts to visit about 30 shops, cafes, and general stores from jeans brands known around the world for high quality.

Come and see for yourself the latest recommendations and trends! Just 5 minutes from JR Kojima Station via rent-a-cycle (fee required), Kojima Jeans Street is conveniently accessible. Don't forget to take a commemorative photo underneath the numerous pairs of jeans hanging above the street.


Kojima Jeans Street is just located in the same area as the jeans museum. I'm falling in love with this street because there are so many interesting things here. Even the road here is in blue colour! They want to make everything in the jeans theme. Well, the Japanese have always been so creative. They even have the huge size of pants/jackets to displayed on the building to catch your attention.




As I mentioned earlier, everything was covered in jeans theme. Well, I know you might see a lot of vending machines in Japan but I guess you don't often see a jeans vending machine right? Lol

They are still so many other interesting things that I would like to share with you guys about this place. Maybe I should write another post about it?





We pay a visit to the shop that sells the merchandise and four of us love this hat.

It was so beautifully done but too bad we don't really have time to shop so we didn't buy it this time.

Hopefully, I can spend some time here for shopping if I revisit this place.

Details
Location : 5-2-70 Shimono Town, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
Opening hours : Daily (9:00am – 6:00pm)
How to access : About 10 min by taxi from JR Kojima Station.


Okayama Castle (Okayamajo)

Okayama Castle (岡山城, Okayamajō), also known as "crow castle" due to its black exterior, was built in 1597 in the style of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period. The original castle was destroyed in the last year of World War 2, but a reconstruction was made in 1966. The castle is located on the Asahi River, which was used as a moat. Korakuen Garden is located just across the river.


Inside the six-story castle, keep are exhibits relating to the history and development of the castle. Furthermore, there is a pottery studio where visitors can craft Bizen-yaki, a type of pottery local to Okayama Prefecture (advance reservations recommended). There is also a corner for visitors to dress up in kimono and a small restaurant.




Only one of Okayama Castle's original buildings escaped destruction the war, the Tsukimi Yagura ("moon-viewing turret"), which dates back to 1620. There are also reconstructions and unearthed foundations of a few other former buildings, which help illustrate the former extent of the castle complex.

Details
Location : 2 Chome-3-1 Marunouchi, Kita Ward, Okayama, 700-0823, Japan.
Opening hours : Daily (9:00am - 5:30pm) entry until 5:00pm
Admission fees : 300 yen (castle only); 560 yen (castle and Korakuen Garden)
How to access : Okayama Castle is about 1.5 kilometres or a 25-30 minute walk east of Okayama Station. Trams on the Higashiyama Line can be taken to Shiroshita stop (5 minutes, 100 yen, frequent departures) from where the castle keep can be reached in a 10-15 minute walk.


Korakuen Garden

Korakuen (後楽園, Kōrakuen) is a beautiful landscape garden and Okayama's main attraction. Along with Kanazawa's Kenrokuen and Mito's Kairakuen, Korakuen is ranked as one of Japan's three best landscape gardens. It is located just beside Okayama Castle, which can be seen from the garden as "borrowed scenery".


Korakuen is a spacious garden that incorporates the typical features of a Japanese landscape garden, including a large pond, streams, walking paths and a hill that serves as a lookout point. Rather unique for a Japanese garden, however, are Korakuen's spacious lawns. Also found in the garden are groves of plum, cherry and maple trees, tea and rice fields, an archery range and a crane aviary.




The local feudal lord ordered the construction of Korakuen in 1687 as a place of entertainment for the ruling family and a location for receiving important guests. Occasionally, the public was permitted to enter the garden.




You can still spot the Okayama castle from here. It was a beautiful spot with a cloudy day.

I personally think it was a great attraction to bring our family to pay a visit. Spacious, great environment and beautiful landscape.




Before heading to the next destination, we also got to taste the dessert from one of the shops.

I don't know what the dessert called but it was served with ice cream, mochi, cream and so on.

It tastes not bad but the portion quite big for us. It also comes with a cup of tea so if you feel it's too sweet for you, you may take a sip of the tea to balance the taste.

Details
Location : 1-5 Korakuen, Kita Ward, Okayama, 703-8257, Japan.
Opening hours : Daily (7:30am - 6:00pm | March 20 to September); (8:00am - 5:00pm | October to March 19)
Admission fees : 400 yen (Korakuen only); 560 yen (Korakuen and Okayama Castle); Various other combination tickets are also available
How to access : Korakuen has two entrance gates: a main gate beside the Prefectural Museum and a south gate near the bridge that crosses to Okayama CastleKorakuen is about 1.5 kilometres or a 25-30 minute walk east of Okayama Station. Trams on the Higashiyama Line can be taken to Shiroshita stop (5 minutes, 100 yen one way, frequent departures) from where the garden's south gate can be reached in a 10-15 minute walk. Alternatively, the Korakuen Bus connects the station with the garden's main gate in a little over ten minutes (100 yen one way, 2 buses/hour).


Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle



Built-in 1240, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is both an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is counted among Japan’s top 100 castles. The castle is located atop a mountain at an altitude of 430 m, making it the highest fortress with an existing castle tower in Japan. Visitors to the castle are treated to a spectacular sight, especially in the early mornings of fall and winter when the clouds spread out to form a “sea of clouds” around the castle. Also in fall, when the trees change colour, the landscape becomes painted in a deep vermilion as if the castle walls were aflame, offering visitors a truly majestic sight. We are so lucky that able to see the sea of clouds!

Details
Location : 1 Uchisange, Takahashi, Okayama 716-0004, Japan.
Opening hours : Daily (9:00am - 5:30pm | April to September); (9:00am - 4.30pm | October to March)
Admission fees : General 500 yen; students 200 yen (elementary and junior high)
How to access : 15 min by tourist share taxi from JR Bitchu-Takahashi Station to “Fuigo Toge,” and then 20 min on foot. *Reservation required for the shared taxi*


Fukiya Furusato Village



Once a flourishing town thanks to copper mining, this mountain village was famous as a major producer of vivid red “Bengara” colour pigment made from oxidized iron. 

Fukiya Furusato Village, known for the uniform red colour of its buildings, a colour rarely produced even in Japan, has earned recognition as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.


After finished customized our canvas tote bag, we take a good walk in this street and I'm loving it! This street is so beautiful and the items here are unique as most of them are handmade. Even I'm taking a photo here, the owner of the shop will volunteer to provide me an umbrella as a prop. So cute!


At the Bengara Ceramics Museum, visitors can try their hand at making the pottery using this red ocher colour pigment (reservation required). For a limited time, visitors can also experience the irresistible charm of Fukiya Furusato Village’s vintage red bonnet bus cruising through the town. One-of-a-kind souvenirs, such as Bengara-dyed stoles, are also available.

Details
Location : 838-2 Nariwacho Fukiya, Takahashi, Okayama 719-2341, Japan.
Opening hours : Varies by the facility.
How to access : 55 min by bus from JR Bitchu-Takahashi Sta. to “Fukiya Bus Stop”.


Kimendai Observatory Rest Stop

Kimendai Lookout Rest Area (鬼女台展望休憩所)at an altitude of 900 meters, is located in the middle of the Hiruzen Daisen Skyline. It is a scenic spot overlooking the magnificent mountains of Mt. Daisen, Mt. Karasugasen, Mt. Zouyama and Mt. Giboshi. At sunrise and sunset during the autumn when the difference in temperature is great, visitors can enjoy the beautiful contrast of the morning sun over the sea of clouds.





Kimendai Observatory is on a mountain ridge between Okayama Prefecture and Tottori Prefecture. The ridge allows you to see from Tottori Prefecture’s famous Daisen all the way to Uruzen, making it a very famous place for camera snapshots. There is a viewing platform here as well as shops and toilets which makes it a perfect stop for families traveling together with kids.



During the autumn leaves season the entire surface of the mountain becomes covered in beautiful red and yellow leaves, and during the sunrise, you can see the morning sun enveloped in a sea of clouds. However please note that the road is restricted during the winter season and the viewing platform is closed. A free parking lot is available.

Details
Location : 1109 Hiruzenshimotokuyama, Maniwa, Okayama 717-0613, Japan.
Opening hours : Daily (9:00am - 5:00pm | Early April to Mid December)
How to access : Take the Yonago Expressway to Hiruzen IC and from there take National Route 482 and Prefectural Road 114 headed in the Kofu direction until you arrive. The parking lot is at the Kimendai Observatory rest area. In order to reach the observatory by public transit, take the JR  Kishin Line to Chugoku Katsuyama Station and from there take a bus headed in the Hiruzen direction; get off at the final stop on the bus line and you will have arrived.


Yubara Onsen



Yubara Onsen, located in a famous hot-springs area, includes one of Western Japan’s leading rotenburo (outdoor baths), “Sunayu.” Against the backdrop of a dam, Sunayu is a 24-hour outdoor hot-spring bath surrounded by rocks located in the riverbed of the Asahi River. 

Because this bath serves both men and women, it is recommended that women wear a special dress while bathing (rentals available for a fee). With numerous accommodations, restaurants, and souvenir shops nearby, including many ryokan and hotels that offer free lending of iroyukata, colourful yukata popular with women, visitors are encouraged to plan for an overnight stay and enjoy walking through the town.

Details
Location : Yubaraonsen, Maniwa, Okayama 717-0402, Japan.
Opening hours : Varies by the facility.
How to access : 2 hours 35 minutes by bus from JR Okayama Sta. to “Yubara Onsen” with a bus change at “Katsuyama Bus Center,” and then 5 minutes on foot.


Nearby Yubara Onsen, there are so many onsens not just for the body, but for the foot as well. Tried one of the foot onsens here and it was so comfy. You can see there is a cute salamander statue here. Continue reading to find out why.


The giant salamanders are called "Hanzaki" in Yubara, due to the belief that even if they are ripped in half (han) they continue to survive. I always saw them on YouTube but this is my first time seeing them in person! They are so cuteeee.


In Yubara, they even have a hanzaki festival called "Hanzaki Matsuri Dakara"Many hundreds of kilometers west of Tokyo, in the mountains of Okayama prefecture, lies a tiny river valley where the Japanese giant salamander is venerated as a god. Every year for close to half a century now, the village of Yubara Onsen has held the Hanzaki Festival to honor this most local of deities. 


Hiruzen Kogen Joyful Park 



Hiruzen Kogen Joyful Park (ヒルゼン高原センター ジョイフルパーク) is a comprehensive leisure facility located on the Hiruzen Plateau, a resort area in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture famed for its soothing, pastoral scenery. The amusement park at the centre of the facility has numerous fun attractions for you to enjoy, including a Ferris wheel, two-story merry go round, roller coasters, and go-carts.


Other popular facilities include the Hiruzen Hana no Mori, a garden where some 15 thousand rhododendrons spanning 100 varieties bloom and the Saru-en and Tori-en zoo exhibits, where you can see cute animals. In the facility’s restaurants, you can enjoy Jingisukan mutton barbecue, a Hiruzen speciality, with a special secret recipe sauce; as well as Hiruzen yakisoba, a local favourite cheap eats.

Details
Location : 1205-197 Hiruzenkamifukuda, Maniwa, Okayama 717-0602, Japan.
Opening hours : Daily (10:00am - 5:30pm)
Joyful Park Admission fee :
Adults (Junior high school students and older) - 700 yen ; Children (3 years old-Elementary School Students) - 500 yen ; Elementary School Students) - 3,000 yen ; Senior (Over 65) - 3,000 yen
*Free for Hirsen Kogen Center*


Hiruzen Winery

Well well, this is not exactly an attraction unless you're a wine lover. The wine available at Hiruzen Winery is made with home-grown mountain grapes that only grow in Japan and has won multiple awards even in Japanese wine competitions. After a free wine tasting, visitors can choose the wine they like and have it served as a set with cheese from local Jersey cows (fee required). Enjoy the savoriness of such delicacies as locally produced buckwheat galette and seasonal lunch boxes paired with wine. Visitors can also buy souvenirs at the winery’s gift shop.


I tried couple of wine tasting and eventually, I bought one of the wines called Okayama Pione because I love its taste. I might be a little bit sweet for some people but I love its fragrance. And, It got a bronze medal so I guess it's not bad right.

Details
Location : 1205-32 Hiruzenkamifukuda, Maniwa, Okayama 717-0602, Japan.
Opening hours : 9:00am - 5:00pm (April to November) ; 10:00am - 4:00pm (December to March) *Closed on Tuesday*
How to access : 1 hr 20 min by bus from JR Chugoku-Katsuyama Sta. to “Yubuneguchi,” and then 5 min on foot.


MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
This time, this FAM trip is unique for me because I got the opportunity to experience a lot of new things and I'm excited to share them here with you guys. It was definitely a memorable experience for me.

Sushi Making | Kidoairaku



Kidoairaku (喜怒哀乐) are open at this place in1975, and since then they have been doing business for many years with the patronage of their customers. They have been aiming to create a store where customers can say that they were pleased, angry, sad and happy (Well, I guess that's how the cuisine name has been created). The attitude will not change.




The sushi master showed us his skills in plating and cutting that seafood. It was fast and so professional. It makes us worry that we need to follow what he is doing because it needs to take lots of practice.

Fortunately, we just need to learn how to make nigiri instead. Phew~


The big story from the time of opening the store is the famous nigiri. We tried to follow the instructions from the chef and it turns out beautifully. We also took our lunch here of course. The nigiri is tasty and the portion os huge!



And guess what, I got a certificate for it! Yay~ Look, mom, I can make nigiri yo!

It was so fun and definitely a great activity for family and friends to experience that.

Details
Location : 2-9-21 Shimoifuku, Kita-ku, Ok 2-9-21 Shimoifuku, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture.
Opening hours : Daily (11:00am - 2:30pm Lunch); Tuesday - Saturday (5:30pm - 9:30pm Dinner) Sunday / Holiday (5:00pm - 9:30pm Dinner); Drive-thru (10:30am - 8:00pm)


Muzasuzume | Bikan Historical Quarter 

You won't want to miss this famous Kurashiki confection! This traditional semi-circular confection from Kurashiki is a crepe-like pastry made with bean paste wrapped in a lightly baked round dough made from egg and flour.

The moist texture outer layer coupled with the bean paste inside makes for an elegant sweetness. I'm making my own piping-hot pastry with an exceptional taste! What a memorable experience for that!



Customized Canvas Bag | Fukiya Furusato Village



During our visit to Fukiya Furusato Village, we got the opportunity to customize our canvas tote bag.

We can choose from different size of canvas and I had chosen a small tote bag which cost 2,000 yen.




Ta-da! Here's my outcome. I know right, I'm not great in creative and art so please forgive me hahaha. But it was fun experience thou.



Cooking | Farm Stay

Yes! We got to cook during our media trip. This is something new right? I'm actually rarely cooking even when I was home because mostly my hubby will be cooking. But this is easy, basically, we are just cutting some vegetables and pouring soup, that's all. Guess the owner doesn't want us to mess up our dinner. Hahaha


Ta-da! Here's our dinner for that night. We have the soup, temaki and delicious karaagae (Japanese fried chicken) as dinner. Love love love the karaagae because it taste so good


HOTEL
Washu Blue Resort Furyu

Washu Blue Resort Kasago has the charm of enjoying your stay. Enjoy the scenery, meals, baths, entertainment, and daily life to your heart's contentAll rooms have ocean views and overlook Seto Ohashi and Bisan Seto.


Two types are available: the rooftop open-air bath with a superb view on the rooftop, and the honey pearl bath, a bath with beautiful skin developed exclusively for the hotel.


Setouchi buffet made by a Japanese chef is an “all-you-can-eat” dish that can be enjoyed by both young and old, including fresh fish dishes, seasonal small bowls, fresh vegetables made by the chef, Japanese, Western and dessert. There are many dishes that combine rich ingredients from the Seto Inland Sea. (Please note that audio will be output for movies.) Shimotsui's pride in fresh seasonal ingredients dance.




The “Live Kitchen” is an entertainment style where you can enjoy the food as well as the best taste.

This buffet was one of my favourite for this entire trip! There are so much good food and varieties of it.

Details
Location : 303-17 Shimotsuifukiage, Kurashiki, Okayama 711-0926, Japan.
How to access : About 7 minutes by car/taxi from JR Kojima Station. About 3 minutes by car from Seto Chuo Expressway Kojima IC.
Website : https://kasago.jp/


Yamato - Farm Stay



For the tourism of the town, Mr Namba has operated Yamato. At here, you can experience a variety of farm work throughout the year. Among all the farm works, rice transplanting is the most popular activity here. You can experience a variety of agricultural machineries such as tractors and rice transplanters and combine harvesters.




They also actively promote various fields such as extracurricular activities in elementary schools. In addition to farm work, you can also use bamboo crafts from the mountains to cook, or by using the picked mountain vegetables, mushrooms and so on. All kinds of experiences will bring you close to nature and feel the nature.




Like I said, the staycation also included the meals and here is our dinner - temaki.

Basically, Temaki Sushi (手巻き寿司) literally means "hand-rolled sushi". As the name implies Temaki Sushi is rolled by hand, so there's no need for any special equipment like a sushi mat. Just add some sushi rice to a sheet of nori, pile on your favorite fillings, and roll it up like a bouquet of sushi with your hands.




And this is our humble breakfast. They even served us the dessert after meals, so sweet!

Love the dessert which is some jelly and some fruit. Delicious!

Details
Location : 冈山县加贺群吉备中央町宫地2242
Price : 7,000 yen (Adult); 5,500 yen (High School Student); 4,500 yen (Secondary and Primary Student)


Yubara Kokusai Kakou Hotel Kikunoyu

Located in the north of Okayama Prefecture, here “Yuhara Hot Spring”. There are many spontaneous hot springs and it has been used by people since long ago.”Kikunoyu” is the closest to the sand at the foot of the dam. Various events are held according to the season. Please enjoy yourself with your family, group, and pets.




Cuisine for Japanese style “Mountain and sea”.

It is a dish which used luxuriously the mountain of Okayama prefecture mountains, the seafood of the Sea of ​​Japan. Cooking chief finishes with the cooking method that makes maximum use of the ingredients’ flavour. It is a luxurious cuisine where you can enjoy both the fishes of the sea.


Details
Location : 717-0402 16, Yubaraonsen, Maniwa city, Okayama.
How to access : They provide shuttle service from Okayama Station, Osaka Station, Hiroshima Station and Shikoku Island. (Free pick up from Okayama Station)
Website : http://www.yubara-kikunoyu.com/


I was supposed to share my vlog with you guys here (embedded video) like I usually do. Unfortunately, I need to blog about my Okayama and Tottori trip first before I fly off again so kinda rush to complete the video editing. Hahaha. I will update the video here once I had finished editing.
(Updates : the travel vlog has been uploaded on my YouTube Channel. Watch it now below!)

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OKAYAMA & TOTTORI TRAVEL VLOG
(YouTube Channel : TheShinilola)

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