Sunshine Okayama — History, Nature & the Real Japan, All Year Round

Just 60 minutes from the crowds of Osaka by Shinkansen, a completely different Japan awaits you.

Welcome to Okayama — the Sunshine Prefecture. Blessed with the calm Seto Inland Sea to the south and forested mountains inland, Okayama offers a rare combination of deep history, magnificent nature, and authentic daily life that most international visitors never discover.

Korakuen Garden & Okayama Castle In Okayama City, we roam through Korakuen Garden — one of Japan’s three greatest gardens, created by a samurai lord centuries ago. From its peaceful lawns, Okayama Castle rises gracefully beside the Asahi River. If you are lucky, you may even encounter beautiful cranes walking freely through the historic grounds.

Kurashiki — Back to the 19th Century Just 20 minutes by train from Okayama Station, you step back in time. In the heart of Kurashiki’s historic district, old merchant storehouses line a tranquil canal — once the center of Japan’s textile trade. Browse artisan shops, taste fine local sake, and soak in the atmosphere where historic and modern Japan meet side by side. Art lovers should not miss the Ohara Museum, home to a remarkable collection including m

Bicchu Matsuyama Castle — A View That Takes Your Breath Away After a 25-minute hike through forested mountain paths, you arrive at one of only 12 surviving original castle keeps in all of Japan. The view from the top of Bicchu Matsuyama Castle in Takahashi is simply heartbreaking in its beauty — and on misty mornings, the castle appears to float above the clouds.

Ancient Castle Ruins & Kokubunji Temple For those who love history in its rawest form, the ruins of a mountain castle built in the 6th century offer a hauntingly beautiful experience. From the summit, you can gaze across the valley to the ancient pagoda of Kokubunji Temple standing quietly in the distance.

Fukiya — Japan Red, The City of Red Drive through the middle of nowhere, turn a corner, and suddenly you enter another world. Fukiya was once famous throughout Japan for its Bengara red pigment, and its traditional townhouses are still painted in that deep, unmistakable red. You can even spend a night at a traditional Japanese inn here — a truly unforgettable rural experience.

Osafune — The Heart of Japanese Sword-Making Okayama is one of the most important regions in the history of the Japanese sword. In Osafune Town, master craftsmen continue centuries-old traditions. At the sword museum, you learn the history of this extraordinary art form and watch skilled artisans produce each component of a blade with meticulous care.

Yubara Onsen, Kanba Falls & the Snow Monkeys The further you venture into the mountains, the further the world falls away. On the way to Yubara Onsen, stop at Kanba Waterfall — and keep your eyes open for wild Japanese snow monkeys greeting you along the path. At Yubara, soak yourself in a spectacular open-air hot spring beside a great dam, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hiruzen Heights & Mount Daisen Just 30 minutes from Yubara Onsen, the wide open Hiruzen Heights await. In summer, escape the heat of Osaka and Kyoto in the cool highland air. In winter, cuddle deep in snow with the majestic silhouette of Mount Daisen before you.

Food & Drink Okayama is a paradise for food lovers. Fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan, locally branded beef, wild pheasant, and even wild boar — alongside fine sake and regional wine produced right here in the prefecture. This is real food, enjoyed by real people.