Many of central Okayama's main sights are clustered on the eastern side of the Central Business District in the area known as the Culture Zone. From JR Okayama station, take the tram three stops east to Shiroshita on the Higashiyama Line. All of the sites are within short walking distance.
English-speaking guides are available for free tours of the castle and garden. The guides are volunteers, so it's best to call ahead (+81 086-224-1166) to ensure that they will be available.
View of Okayama Castle from Kōrakuen
Kōrakuen (後楽園), 1-5 Korakuen, ☎ +81 086-272-1148, . 7:30AM-6PM April-Sept, 8AM-5PM Oct-March. The name means "Garden of Pleasure After", a reference to a famous Confucian quote stating that a wise ruler must attend to his subjects' needs first and only then attend to his own. Construction started 1687 and was completed 13 years later. Despite slight changes, Korakuen largely keeps its form from the Edo era, with waterfalls, tiny shrines, teahouses, miniature maple forests, a lotus pond, and even a greenhouse filled with orchids and cacti. The rare red-crested white cranes are another notable feature. They are released for flying exhibitions on special occasions throughout the year. The large wooden building in the park was used to host visiting members of the imperial family. The view from the veranda (usually off-limits to the general public) is considered the best in the park, and the strategic location of trees and hills/mounds in the park act as a natural frame. A local ordinance prevents high-rise buildings that would encroach on this view. (The roof of a temple can be seen on the side of the distant Mt. Misaoyama, but it was built to enhance the view from the porch.) There are two entrances to the garden: across from the Okayama Prefectural Museum, and across the Moon-Viewing Bridge (月見橋 Tsukimi-kyo).¥350. �
Okayama Castle
Okayama Castle (岡山城 Okayama-jō), 2-3-1 Marunouchi, . 9AM-5PM. Popularly known as Crow Castle (烏城 U-jō), it is so named for its striking black color, rare among Japanese castles (which tend to be white, like neighboring Himeji-jō). Only a few protruding bits and the occasional lucky fish-gargoyle (金の鯱 kinnoshachihoko) are gilded. With the exception of one external turret, the current version dates from 1966, but the outside is much more accurate than most Japanese castle replicas, as the original blueprints were used to rebuild it. In the tower is a museum documenting the castle's history, although English explanations are few and far between.¥300. �
Okayama Orient Museum (岡山市立オリエント美術館), 9-31 Tenjin-cho, ☎ +81 086-232-3636, . Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. An interesting museum of Middle Eastern art. The special exhibit details art and trade between China and Persia. If you can speak conversational Japanese, talk with the friendly docents; they will present some highly interesting explanations and background. However, the dates and areas are clearly marked, and the artifacts themselves are interesting enough that you don't need to have a guide to enjoy them.¥600 adults, discounts with student ID. �
Okayama Prefectural Museum (岡山県立博物館), 1-5 Korakuen, ☎ +81 086-272-1149, . Tu-Su 9AM-6PM April-Sept, 9:30AM-5PM Oct-March. An excellent museum with a variety of artifacts excavated from various areas throughout Okayama Prefecture from prehistoric artifacts to the Edo and Meiji Periods. Some highlights of the museum are the famous Bizen swords and Bizen pottery. It's conveniently located just outside the main entrance to Korakuen, so it's well worth a stop.¥200. �
Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art (岡山県立美術館), 8-48 Tenjin-cho, ☎ +81 086-225-4800, . Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. A large museum housing approximately 2,000 works by famous artists throughout Okayama Prefecture. The museum's permanent exhibition features art dating back as far as the Muromachi Period (1336-1573), such as work by the priest Sesshu and the swordsman Musashi Miyamoto, as well as Bizen pottery and works by more contemporary artists.¥300, discount with student ID. �
Hayashibara Museum of Art (林原美術館), 2-7-15 Marunouchi, ☎ +81 086-223-1733, . Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. A small museum which houses the private collection of the Ikeda Family, the former Lords of Okayama. The collection features both Japanese and Chinese works, primarily calligraphy and scrolls. Pottery, beautiful textiles, samurai armor, and other works may also be on display; however, because the museum is not large enough to display the entire collection at once, the exhibits are rotated often.¥300. �
Yumeji Art Museum (夢二郷土美術館), 2-1-32 Hama, ☎ +81 086-271-1000, . Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. A museum featuring the works of Okayama-born artist Yumeji Takehisa, a well-known artist throughout Japan. He is best known for producing paintings and sketches of beautiful women, and many such works are on display in the museum.¥600. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Okayama
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Okayama - updated Apr 2024
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