I just lately instructed a non-public consumer of mine that day journeys from Okayama are extra interesting than a lot of what awaits you inside the metropolis limits. “No offense,” I laughed as she appeared again at me via the Zoom window in disbelief, “to Koraku-en backyard.”
No offense, but in addition no minced phrases. Okayama makes an exquisite hub for exploring the japanese reaches of Japan’s underrated San’yo area, however merely isn’t essentially the most compelling metropolis in Japan
Fortunately, the entire Okayama day journeys I’m about to stipulate are simply accessible with Okayama Station. So, if you end up right here for a pair days however bored to tears, pleasure is only a brief prepare experience away.
Okayama Metropolis is Underwhelming, However…
I’ve distinctive historical past, when it comes to discovering Okayama, and what town got here to imply to me. However the actuality is, that if I strip away my very own projections, it’s not essentially the most thrilling giant metropolis in Japan. In contrast, if you happen to add even at some point journey from Okayama to your metropolis middle itinerary, the image all of a sudden adjustments—Okayama is not your vacation spot, however your base to discover doubtlessly half a dozen different ones.
And I do imply “base” in the very best sense of the world. What Okayama lacks when it comes to sights (nicely, past Koraku-en backyard and possibly Okayama Citadel) it makes up for in very sensible perks. I’m speaking, after all, about loads of inns, tons of comfort shops and all kinds of eating places and bars, lots of that are on the way in which from the areas you’ll more likely to be staying to Okayama Station (or on the way in which again).
The Finest Day Journeys from Okayama
Kurashiki
Kurashiki is certainly essentially the most well-known day journey from Okayama, although it hasn’t at all times been that approach. Again after I first began touring to Japan, Kurashiki (and particularly, the Bikan Historic Quarter and its iconic canal) had been largely well-known amongst East Asian vacationers. As of late, after all, vacationers from everywhere in the world have glommed onto the development. Delightfully so!
Bitchu Matsuyama Citadel and the Kibi Plain
A much less standard instance of the day journeys Okayama has to supply is Bitchu-Matsuyama Citadel, positioned in Bitchu-Takahashi round an hour north of Okayama Metropolis. I like to recommend coming right here in autumn (to be able to see the “Sea of Clouds” on the fortress) and likewise, coming by rental automobile. In the event you do, then it’s extraordinarily straightforward to cease en route again to town at varied locations on the historic Kibi Plain, most vital amongst them Kibitsu Shrine.
Himeji Citadel
Talking of chateau, Himeji Citadel is each a lot better-known (it’s most likely essentially the most well-known of Japan’s 12 “unique” castles) and far simpler to go to. You merely experience any eastbound Shinkansen from Okayama Station on to Himeji Station, and stroll ~quarter-hour northward. You’re there! It’s so foolproof that you could really see the fortress from the station platform. You actually cant’ get misplaced!
Naoshima island and/or Takamatsu
One other favourite Okayama day journey of mine concerned heading southward on the JR Seto-Ohashi Line, the place there’s a fork within the highway. You may say on the prepare and experience all of it the way in which to Takamatsu, the northernmost main metropolis on Shikoku island, and an ideal place to get a style for it. Alternatively, get off at Chayamachi Station and experience the JR Uno-Port Liner to (shock!) Uno Port, the place a ferry can take you to the Naoshima “artwork island.”
Onomichi and the Shimanami Kaido
Heading additional east past Kurashiki, in the meantime, will ultimately take you to Onomichi. Though this harbor metropolis is technically in Hiroshima prefecture, I really like coming right here from Okayama. Past its personal spectacular sights, it’s the northern terminus of the Shimanami Kaido, a biking route that goes all the way in which over the Seto Inland Sea to Imabari, which like Takamatsu is on the northern coast of Shikoku
BONUS: Tsuyama Throughout Cherry Blossom Season
Planning to be in Okayama in the course of the first week of April? Whereas there are some sakura locations within the metropolis middle, the place you really want to go is to Tsuyama. Like Okayama’s personal, Tsuyama Citadel will not be “unique”—it isn’t that spectacular by itself. However the surrounding Tsuyama Citadel Park has actually lots of of cherry timber, which make it among the best hanami spots wherever in Japna.
The place to Go After Okayama
Okayama, no matter you consider it as an end-all, be-all vacation spot, is together with Hiroshima the very best base for exploring the San’yo sub-region. Once you end right here, nonetheless, you will have just a few choices as to the place you possibly can go. One in all my favourite? Driving a Restricted Categorical Yakumo Prepare to Matsue or Izumoshi Stations. Their respective cities (Matsue and Izumo) function the gateway to the San’in Coast, which is probably essentially the most underrated a part of Japan west of Tokyo.
In fact, in the case of the place to go close to Okayama, you too can head south. In some situations, this implies “upgrading” Naoshima or Takamatsu to an in a single day vacation spot, as a substitute of a day journey. In others, it’s giving Shikoku (the smallest and least-visited of Japan’s 4 main islands) the time and devotion it deserves—every week, if you happen to can, or ideally even longer than that. Every of its 4 prefectures wants at the very least two days!
Different FAQ About Day Journeys from Okayama
Can I take a day journey to Naoshima from Okayama?
You may completely take a day journey from Okayama to Naoshima. Merely experience a JR Uno Line prepare (which make require a switch in Chayamachi) from Okayama Station to Uno Station, then experience a Shikoku Kisen ferry from Uno Port to Naoshima’s Miyanoura Port, the place you possibly can lease bikes to discover. Notice that if you happen to want to keep in a single day at Benesse Home Resort, a day journey gained’t minimize it.
What number of days ought to I spend in Okayama?
You solely want a full day in Okayama’s metropolis middle. Nonetheless, as a result of Okayama’s true utility is as a base for taking day journeys additional afield into western Japan, I like to recommend staying between 3-5 days in Okayama Metropolis, to be able to full avail its handy location and creature comforts.
The place to go to close to Okayama?
You may journey in any path from Okayama and find yourself someplace superb. Head west to Kurashiki or the harbor metropolis of Onomichi, northward to Bitchu Matsuyama Citadel and the Kibi Airplane, eastward to Himeji Citadel or southward to the Naoshima “Artwork Island” or to Takamatsu, the gateway to Shikoku island.
The Backside Line
If you find yourself loving Okayama Metropolis, then nice: The day journeys from Okayama I’ve spotlighted above are merely a bonus. If, then again, you find yourself discovering Okayama-shi underwhelming, they could be a lifeline. A few of you’ll prioritize low-hanging fruit—the scenic canal of Kurashiki’s Bikan Historic District involves me. Others will journey additional afield, whether or not that’s going by prepare and ferry to misunderstood Naoshima island, or scaling the paths that result in Bitchu-Matsuyama Citadel. Want customized assist seeing how (or whether or not) Okayama ought to determine into your Japan journey? Fee a customized Japan itinerary at the moment!