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| The Asahi River lazily snakes in wide curves through the city. Beside the river is the tower of Okayama Castle built by Lord Ikeda. The castle has black external walls, a three-layer external structure, and six internal floors and utilizes the river as a natural external moat. On the other side of the river is a huge and stunning Japanese garden, Korakuen Garden, one of the "Three Great Japanese Gardens." In 1686, domain lord Ikeda ordered creation of this garden and the construction took over 14 years. Extending across the lawns are ponds, flowers and trees, artificial hills and streamlets creating a bright and graceful atmosphere. Surrounding the park are: the Okayama Prefectural Museum, which has historical and cultural exhibitions of Okayama; the Yumeji Takehisa Museum commemorating Yumeji Takehisa, very popular artist active between the Taisho era and the beginning of the Showa era; the Okayama Orient Museum focusing on archaeological finds from Iran and Iraq; the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art with its collection of pictures by local artists, such as Sesshu and Torajiro Kojima; and the Hayashibara Museum of Art exhibiting oriental antiques and articles passed down in the Ikeda family from their ancestors. These museums create a "cultural zone" in Okayama. Modern buildings extend along Momotaro Odori (street), which also has streetcars. There are also many fashion stores and gourmet restaurants in the station’s underground shopping arcade of Ichibangai, the arcade streets of Omotemachi shopping street and the brick-paved Oranda (Dutch) Higashi Dori. You can feel the energy of this town. In the suburbs is the Historic Kibi Road, a historical road with burial mounds of the ancient land called Kibi. The legend of Momotaro also originated from this road. |
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Amusement |
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| Okayama Bizen Pottery
Center |
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086-224-3396 |
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1-6-6 Izushi-cho, Okayama-shi, Okayama |
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10:00-18:00 (9:00-17:00 October to March) |
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Use of the facilities is free, Hand-forming method experience class (1.5 kg) ¥2,000 |
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| This center is located in an art town where the Izushi-cho Pottery Festival is held every spring. This center is rebuilt from a store building built in the Meiji era and has a Bizen Pottery gallery, Japanese room and Japanese garden. Pottery making classes using a Rokuro (potter’s wheel) are also held here. |
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Sightseeing |
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| Okayama Orient
Museum |
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086-232-3636 |
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9-31 Tenjin-cho, Okayama-shi, Okayama |
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9:00-17:00 |
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¥300 for adults, ¥200 for high/university students, ¥100 for primary/junior high students |
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| Exhibited here are earthenware, pottery and glassware from the Orient, the birthplace of civilization. The items collected are mainly arts and crafts from the areas of Iran, Iraq and Syria. There is also a tearoom where you can taste Arabic coffee. |
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| Okayama Prefectural Museum of
Art |
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086-225-4800 |
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8-48 Tenjin-cho, Okayama-shi, Okayama |
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9:00-17:00 |
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¥300 for adults, ¥200 for high school/university students, ¥100 for primary/junior high students |
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| This museum has a modern exterior made of Mannari stones and Arita pottery. In this museum, there are permanent exhibitions featuring the creations of local artists and special exhibitions. On the street, there is a coffee & waffles house named "Chaimu." |
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| Okayama Castle |
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086-225-2096 |
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2-3-1 Marunouchi, Okayama-shi, Okayama |
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Castle grounds always open (Castle Tower 9:00-17:00) |
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Free to the castle grounds, Castle Tower ¥300 for adults, ¥120 for children |
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| The castle was built in 1597. It is also called "Ujo (crow castle)" because it has black wooden boards covering the exterior. The castle was restored to its original state at its 400th anniversary. You can have your photo taken in the dress of a princess or lord. |
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| Okayama Korakuen Garden |
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086-272-1148 |
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1-5 Korakuen, Okayama-shi, Okayama |
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7:30-18:00 (8:00-17:00 October to March) |
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¥350 for adults, ¥140 for children (5-15) |
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| This garden was built in 1700 by the command of Tsunamasa Ikeda, the lord of the Okayama clan. There are water passages and garden paths across the large lawn areas. This is one of the "Three Great Japanese Gardens," along with Kairakuen Garden in Mito and Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa. |
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Restaurants |
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086-224-1000 |
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2-7-10 Ichida-cho, Okayama-shi, Okayama |
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11:00-13:40, 17:00-22:00 (until 21:00 on Sundays and holidays) |
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"Yoshino bento" (lunch box) ¥2,800, "Orishiki zen" (set meal) ¥2,300, "Anago zen" (conger eel set meal) ¥2,600, "Omakase kaiseki" (course meal) from ¥4,500 at lunch time, from ¥7,000 at dinner time |
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| The "Kaiseki ryori" (full course meal) made of natural seafood from the Seto Inland Sea and other seasonal foods is great. "Yoshino bento," is a popular luxurious lunch box that has the same contents as the "kaiseki ryori" available at night. Private rooms are available to enjoy the great meal. |
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Shopping |
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| Okayama sightseeing product center fine country Okayama hall |
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086-234-2270 |
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1st floor Okayama symphony BLDG, 1-5-1 Omotecho, Okayama city, Okayama |
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10:00-20:00 |
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Inquiry required |
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| Located on 1st floor of Okayama Synphony building. Providing tourist information showing tourist guidance and videos. Specialty goods including Bincho ware and Igusa products are displayed for sale. |
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| Ote Manju Inbeya |
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086-225-3836 |
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8-2 Kyobashi-cho, Okayama-shi, Okayama |
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9:00-18:00 |
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"Ote manju" ¥60/piece, from ¥700/box of ten |
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| "Ote manju" is a tasty confectionary with sweet bean paste wrapped in thin pastry, a traditional confectionary representing Okayama. |
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Spa |
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| Okayama Momotaro Spa |
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086-229-3900 |
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2915-1 Musa, Okayama-shi, Okayama |
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10:00-23:00 |
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¥1,000 for adults, ¥600 for children (3-12) |
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| This is the oldest natural spa house in Okayama city. You can enjoy many comfortable spas including outdoor baths and rock baths. Try out the various kinds of spas. And after that? Just relax in the "Relax room." |
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