Here are 10 things to do in Okayama (Bicchu area).

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Kurashiki was the center of the Edo Shogunate in 1642, and the Kurashiki River was used as a distribution center and canal for southern China. It was bustling with wholesalers and middlemen dealing in cotton and other products, and there were storehouses and grand mansions. In 1981, it was designated by the government as an "Important Preservation District for Traditional Buildings." The townscape that has continued since the Edo period is very beautiful. The sightseeing boats that operate on the Kurashiki River are a recommended spot where you can leisurely view the townscape of Kurashiki from the water.

Walking through the beautiful streets in a kimono is also photogenic.

Onishiroyama/Kinojo

Okayama is home to the legend of Momotaro, and it is said that there was a demon called Ura on Mt. Onishiro, which is about 400m above sea level, and this is where the legend originated. Onishiro Castle, which has been selected as one of the "100 Great Castles of Japan," is said to have been built in the late 7th century, but since there are no historical records, the castle is shrouded in mystery. One of the pleasures of Mt. Onishiro is trekking along the walls of Onishiro Castle. It's great fun to walk while looking at the gates and thinking about the mysteries of the castle.

Ohara Museum of Art

Founded in 1930, this is Japan's first private art museum focusing on Western art. It has a main building, an annex, a craft and oriental art gallery, and the Torajiro Kojima Memorial Museum (soon to open), and exhibits over 3,000 works in total, including masterpieces of Western art, Western paintings by Japanese artists, works by artists involved in the Mingei movement, ancient art from Egypt, South Asia, and East Asia, and works by notable contemporary artists. Rare pieces by Monet and El Greco's "Annunciation" are on display here.

Bitchu Matsuyama Castle

It has a long history as a castle, and is said to have been built on Mt. Omatsu in 1240. It is built near the summit of a mountain at an altitude of 430m, and its small two-story castle tower (the castle tower is the large turret built in the center of the castle) is a rare feature. The stone walls, which make use of the natural terrain, are also very beautiful, and the earthen walls, which are rare nationwide, have been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Matsuyama Castle Observatory is a photogenic spot in the early morning when it is clear and the temperature changes dramatically. Be sure to visit to see this mystical and magnificent sight.

Fukiya Hometown Village

Fukiya, which prospered from copper mines from the early Edo period, is unified throughout the town with lattices and Sekishu tiles that are reddish-coloured. The appearance of this area gave rise to the term "Japan Red", and the town was designated a Japan Heritage site in June 2020. On both sides of the road are lined with traditional buildings that are over 100 years old, giving it a very charming atmosphere. There are also shops that use reddish-coloured fabrics, so you can buy souvenirs here.

Great Seto Bridge

It is one of the bridges connecting Honshu-Shikoku, which opened in 1988 and connects Okayama and Kagawa prefectures. The bridge section is 9,368m long, and including the elevated section, it carries 13.1km of road and railway. It is the longest road and railway bridge in the world, and has been recognized by the Guinness World Records.

From the "Washiuyama Observatory", you can see the large and small islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea, the Great Seto Bridge, and on a clear day, even Shikoku. The most beautiful time is at sunset, and the view of the sun setting behind the Great Seto Bridge is spectacular, and has been selected as one of the "100 Best Sunsets in Japan."

Takahashi City Samurai Residences

This was the home of a samurai with a stipend of around 200 koku who served as a close attendant or a clerk in the mid to late Edo period, 170 years ago. Ishibiyacho, where the samurai residence, the former Orii family home, is located, has earthen walls on both sides and a row of houses with formal gates. The pond in the courtyard, garden stones, stepping stones, etc. have been left almost exactly as they were in the past, and there is a museum here. You can see what kind of houses the samurai of that time lived in.

Achi Shrine

It was founded in 1693, and the main hall was built in 1750. The name "Achi" comes from the fact that the area around the shrine was once an ocean called "Achigata," and it is the oldest shrine in the Kurashiki area. It is famous as a "rabbit shrine" for the rabbit sculptures carved into it. The fortune slips and charms also have a rabbit motif, which is very cute.

It is also a famous spot for wisteria flowers that bloom in spring from late April to early May. The Akebono wisteria is the largest wisteria tree in Japan.

Hidden gem Inari Shrine

The enshrined deity is, as the name suggests, Anaba Inari Daimyojin. The stone steps of the approach are lined with vermilion-painted torii gates, similar to the "Senbon Torii" gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head temple of Inari shrines. After climbing dozens of steps, the main hall comes into view. Please be careful as it is a steep slope. The view from here is spectacular, with the torii gates and the Great Seto Bridge visible at the same time. It is a hidden gem, and well worth the climb.

Kojima Jeans Street

In 1973, Kurabo Industries started producing domestically produced denim in Japan. Due to the high quality of the fabric, Kojima Jeans still has fans outside of Japan today. There are many jeans stores lined up where you can shop.

There is a place called "Betty Smith Jeans Museum & Village" where you can experience the making of jeans in Japan. You can choose the materials and parts, attach buttons, and make your own original jeans. Please try making jeans with high-quality Japanese fabrics.

summary

We have introduced 10 things to do in Okayama (Bicchu area). You can experience the beauty of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, take a peek at the life of samurai at Takahashi City Samurai Residences, and experience and purchase Japanese denim at Kojima Jeans Street. There are many other tourist spots besides those introduced, so please visit them.