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Recommended Sightseeing Courses
from OKAYAMA
Okayama at the center of Chugoku Region is a perfect stepping-stone to
near-by prefectures, offering a variety of options to sightseeing journeys of
interest and beauty; from Okayama take one day to visit Hyogo, return and
set off for Hiroshima the following day. Start your dream trip right here!
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The line color of each course on the map corresponds to the color of each course name.
Click the course name to see more details below.
Shimane Route
Tottori Route
Hyogo Route
Kagawa Route
Seto Inland Sea Cruising
Hiroshima Route
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Shimane Route (2 Day Trip)
Start your 'Shimane' tour at Kurashiki City and head for
historic Takahashi, hence to Ikura Cave; relax overnight at
Yubara Onsen Spa, from there to renowned Adachi Museum
and end at Iwami Silver Mine, a World Heritage Site.
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1. Takahashi City
Pleasant Takahashi City, retains vestiges of its past in
white-coated, architecturally distinctive Orii and
Haibara Samurai Residences and merchant houses; it's
easily reached from either Okayama or Kurashiki. High
above the town, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, with its
tower at an altitude of 430 meters,
is famed for being higher than any
other castle in Japan. Two
admired Zen gardens at Raikyu-ji
Temple were laid out in 1604 by
master designer Kobori Enshu
cleverly using Mount Atago as a
'borrowed' background.
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From left, Raikyuji Temple; Orii Samurai Residence; Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
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| 2. Ikura Cave | 3. Yubara Onsen |
 Enjoy a fantastic
underground adventure
when exploring the
1,200 meters of Ikura
Cave; marvel at ancient
stalactites and the
surrounding deep ravine
carved out of nature.
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 Ensconced in a verdant forest, enjoy the famed
'suna-yu' open-air hot-spring bath at Yubara Onsen,
free of charge. Yubara Dam is seen in the distance.
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| 4. Adachi Museum of Art | 5. Iwami Silver Mine |
 Featuring the great
master, Yokoyama Taikan,
Adachi Museum of Art is
admired for outstanding
Japanese gardens and its
vast collection of
splendid contemporary
Japanese paintings.
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 An irresistible magnet to some
200,000 dream seekers, now a
World Heritage Site, the
fabulous Iwami Silver Mine
enriched the Tokugawa
Shogunate with untold wealth.
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| >> Go To Top [ Recommended Sightseeing Courses from OKAYAMA ] |
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Tottori Route (1 Day Trip OR 2 Day Trip)
Setting forth from either Okayama or Kurashiki to historic
Tsuyama City and picturesque Tottori Prefecture is a
comfortable one-day outing. But better still, spend an extra
day relaxing in a popular hot-spring, either Yunogo or
Okutsu 'onsen' located amidst beautiful scenery.
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1. Tsuyama City
After the castle was built in early 17th Century
providing security for traders, Tsuyama City
thrived as a key junction of trade routes; to this
day it retains the aura of
past glories and wealth.
Along with many worth
visiting historical sites in the Joto Street district,
Kakuzan Park, designed and splendidly created
with a terrace style where the castle once stood,
it is presently designated a National Historic Site. |
From left, Joto Street District; Kakuzan Park
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| 2. Yunogo Onsen | 3. Okutsu Onsen |
 Alternatively known as 'Sagi no
Yu', meaning Egret's Hot Spring,
this famed site is thought to be
12 hundred years old, ancient
even by Japanese standards.
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 The superior skin purification qualities of Okutsu
Onsen make it known as the 'spring of beauty'.
Enjoy 'Ashibumi Sentaku' (foot washing) a
traditional dance performed in local costumes.
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| 4. Tottori Sand Dunes | |
 Japan's most magnificent sand dunes stretch 16
kilometers by 2 wide; eye-striking and ever
changing sand patterns are created through
whim of wind and nature.
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| >> Go To Top [ Recommended Sightseeing Courses from OKAYAMA ] |
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Hyogo Route (1 Day Trip)
From Okayama City, Hyogo is a popular destination to visit Himeji Castle,
designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and followed by an excursion
to Kobe City, one of Japan's most attractive
towns, makes for a splendid day's outing.
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| 1. Bizen Ceramic Art Museum | 2. Shizutani School |
 Bizen Ceramic Art Museum displays superior 'Bizen-yaki '(kiln
baked) pieces created by skillful local artisans. Restaurants
proudly use 'Bizen-yaki' dishes
for the diner's palate and sight
pleasure.
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 The oldest school for working class in Japan was
established in the 17th Century. The lecture hall
built a century later has been designated a
National Treasure.
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| 3. Himeji Castle | 4. Kobe City |
 A National Treasure and World Heritage Site,
widely considered Japan's most spectacular
stronghold, indestructible Himeji Castle has
triumphed over wars, earthquakes or fires,
surviving intact to this day.
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 Nestled between sea and mountains,
Kobe is praised as one of Japan's most
scenic cities. A vital seaport over
centuries and one of the first open to
overseas trade, Kobe retains to this day a
cosmopolitan, sophisticated aura.
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| >> Go To Top [ Recommended Sightseeing Courses from OKAYAMA ] |
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| >> Go To Top [ Recommended Sightseeing Courses from OKAYAMA ] |
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Seto Inland Sea -Island cruising- (1 Day Trip)
From Okayama City, board a cruise boat and relax in a
picture perfect setting (great photo opportunities) on
calm, blue waters dotted with pine-clad islands.
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Peaceful Seto Inland Sea offers scenic cruises
around a bevy of small, verdant islands including
Naoshima, best known for Benesse House, an art
museum combined with stay-over facilities.
Inujima offers 'Seirensho,' a
copper refinery, first
segment of a future
Modern Industrial Heritage
Site, and Shodoshima, the
bucolic 'Island of Olives'.
Don't sail by!
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From left, Inujima; Naoshima; Shodoshima
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Nozaki a 'salt magnate' in 1833 built a
grand home on Kojima Island complete
with magnificent garden and
storehouses reminding visitors of past
glories and princely affluence.
This spectacular and massive
bridge is the grand connector
between Honshu and Shikoku
islands. Enjoy beautiful Seto
Inland Sea via trains or cruise
boats.
Ritsurin Park, absolutely one of the finest landscape
gardens in all of Japan, rates nothing less than superlatives
to describe its amenities and classic design.
The Atomic Bomb Dome shell
stands as a mute yet persuasive
witness to the horrible aftermath
of the first A-bomb detonation.
Peace Park is a hallowed site for
reflection and prayers.
Crowned as one of the three
most cherished vistas in all of
Japan, the strikingly gorgeous
vermillion gate enchantingly
rising above the waves
immediately identifies
ancient Itsukushima Shrine.