Okayama, the 'land of sunshine', enjoys a temperate
climate, gorgeous scenery, and plentiful harvests from
both land and sea. Centrally located in Western Japan,
Okayama Prefecture sits between the Seto Inland Sea
and Chugoku Mountains. This gateway to a region rich
in culture and history is blessed with plenty of museums,
art galleries and beautifully preserved ancient sites.
The ancient Kibi Road ('Kibiji') originated centuries ago when Okayama was the cultural
and historic center of the 'Kingdom of Kibi', a unique indigenous culture that originated
and thrived in the area. It starts from Kibitsu Shrine and ends at Soja City's Hofukuji
Temple, a Zen temple famous for renowned priest and painter, Sesshu.
Kibitsu Shrine has been designated a National Treasure and is considered an architectural
jewel. The 400 meter long hallway within the structure is nothing short of amazing.
Hofukuji Temple originally prospered during the Kamakura Period (1192-1133) when it
belonged to the Rinzai Sect of Buddhism.
There is a designated lane for cyclists and numerous stopping points along the way,
including old tombs, fine temples and beautiful shrines. The rustic scenery and fresh air
are sure to energize any traveler seeking to discover Japan as it was long ago. Bike rentals
are available at Soja Station, Bitchu Kokubunji Temple and Bizen-Ichinomiya Station.
Okayama city is a thriving commercial,
industrial and cultural hub in the
Chugoku district of Western Japan. It is
also a major gateway to Inland Sea National Park and Shikoku, the nation's
fourth largest island. The area is blessed with a beautiful landscape that offers
a different view with each passing season. Numerous landmarks dot the city,
including historic Okayama Castle, which is more famously known as 'Crow
Castle'. Its distinctive, black exterior presents an ominous appearance.
Constructed in 1597, it is currently a museum. Okayama Castle also has a
fantastic panoramic view of the city, Asahi River and Okayama Korakuen
Garden. Okayama Korakuen Garden has undergone constant improvements
since the 1700s and is one of Japan's
three most admired parks. Designed
in the 'Kaiyu' (scenic promenade)
style, each turn in the path
presents visitors with a new
surprising viewpoint of streams,
ponds, hills and tea houses.
Okayama also has excellent art
museums. In particular, the Yumeji
Art Museum features celebrated
work from the turn of the century
'Art Nouveau' movement.
Kurashiki is a good choice for travelers seeking to discover 'authentic'
Japanese culture and history. A thriving commercial hub since feudal
days when its port received important rice shipments, it continues to
prosper partly for the nostalgic aura still present in the old streets and
current cultural attractions. Rice granaries from the 17th century, with
white walls and black tiles, contrast with the green willow lined canal
running through the Kurashiki Bikan Historical District. With facilities
such as the Ohara Museum of Art, Kurashiki has been a magnet for
famous artists and other representatives of Japanese culture.
The Ohara
Museum of Art is Japan's first privately owned gallery and
displays works of Impressionist master, Monet, as well as
Gauguin, Picasso and sculptor Rodin to name a few. Also, the
Japan Rural Toy Museum features 5,000 fascinating toys and
Japanese crafted favourites. The pleasant climate here yields
delicious fruit, seafood and excellent locally brewed sake,
creating a mouthwatering local cuisine.
At the Fukiya Furusato Village, the townscape of Fukiya spreads out
before you. Homes with copper-colored 'Sekishu' roof tiles and
Bengara-colored (reddish pigment made from iron oxide) walls
stand together in an orderly fashion. From the end of the Edo Period
to the beginning of the Meiji Period in the 19th century, Fukiya was
occupied by a number of wealthy residents. Beautiful mansions built
by wealthy merchants can be found everywhere in Japan, but Fukiya
is unique. Instead of building homes that competed with each other
for luxuriousness, the owners of the respective houses worked
together to build a town based on a unified concept. They then put
their plan into action, hiring specialists in the construction of shrines
and temples in Sekishu (presently Shimane Prefecture). This kind of
idea was remarkably advanced back in those days. In 1977, the
Agency for Cultural Affairs designated 'Fukiya Furusato Mura' a
Japanese preservation district of important traditional structures.
Okayama's warm and sunny climate is
particularly good for producing sweet, flavourful
fruit such as juicy white peaches, tasty Muscat and
Pione grapes, as well as many kinds of melon. Fall is an
optimal time to enjoy the wonderful harvest.
OKAYAMA International Villas
The Okayama International Villa was established in 1988 by the
prefectural government, in cooperation with local governments, in order
to provide international guests with comfortable, reasonably priced
accommodation in rural Japan. Similar to a youth hostel, the villas are
essentially houses where several guests share facilities, prepare their
own meals and clean up after themselves. Two villas are available on
Hattoji and Shiraishi Island. The cost starts from 3,500 yen per guest.
Stay in a villa and enjoy Okayama's rural beauty.
For details, access the website www.harenet.ne.jp/villa/
* Shiraishi Villa will be closed for re-construction until February 2010.
Okayama, the 'land of sunshine', enjoys a temperate
climate, gorgeous scenery, and plentiful harvests from
both land and sea. Centrally located in Western Japan,
Okayama Prefecture sits between the Seto Inland Sea
and Chugoku Mountains. This gateway to a region rich
in culture and history is blessed with plenty of museums,
art galleries and beautifully preserved ancient sites.
The ancient Kibi Road ('Kibiji') originated centuries ago when Okayama was the cultural
and historic center of the 'Kingdom of Kibi', a unique indigenous culture that originated
and thrived in the area. It starts from Kibitsu Shrine and ends at Soja City's Hofukuji
Temple, a Zen temple famous for renowned priest and painter, Sesshu.
Kibitsu Shrine has been designated a National Treasure and is considered an architectural
jewel. The 400 meter long hallway within the structure is nothing short of amazing.
Hofukuji Temple originally prospered during the Kamakura Period (1192-1133) when it
belonged to the Rinzai Sect of Buddhism.
There is a designated lane for cyclists and numerous stopping points along the way,
including old tombs, fine temples and beautiful shrines. The rustic scenery and fresh air
are sure to energize any traveler seeking to discover Japan as it was long ago. Bike rentals
are available at Soja Station, Bitchu Kokubunji Temple and Bizen-Ichinomiya Station.
Okayama city is a thriving commercial,
industrial and cultural hub in the
Chugoku district of Western Japan. It is
also a major gateway to Inland Sea National Park and Shikoku, the nation's
fourth largest island. The area is blessed with a beautiful landscape that offers
a different view with each passing season. Numerous landmarks dot the city,
including historic Okayama Castle, which is more famously known as 'Crow
Castle'. Its distinctive, black exterior presents an ominous appearance.
Constructed in 1597, it is currently a museum. Okayama Castle also has a
fantastic panoramic view of the city, Asahi River and Okayama Korakuen
Garden. Okayama Korakuen Garden has undergone constant improvements
since the 1700s and is one of Japan's
three most admired parks. Designed
in the 'Kaiyu' (scenic promenade)
style, each turn in the path
presents visitors with a new
surprising viewpoint of streams,
ponds, hills and tea houses.
Okayama also has excellent art
museums. In particular, the Yumeji
Art Museum features celebrated
work from the turn of the century
'Art Nouveau' movement.
Kurashiki is a good choice for travelers seeking to discover 'authentic'
Japanese culture and history. A thriving commercial hub since feudal
days when its port received important rice shipments, it continues to
prosper partly for the nostalgic aura still present in the old streets and
current cultural attractions. Rice granaries from the 17th century, with
white walls and black tiles, contrast with the green willow lined canal
running through the Kurashiki Bikan Historical District. With facilities
such as the Ohara Museum of Art, Kurashiki has been a magnet for
famous artists and other representatives of Japanese culture.
At the Fukiya Furusato Village, the townscape of Fukiya spreads out
before you. Homes with copper-colored 'Sekishu' roof tiles and
Bengara-colored (reddish pigment made from iron oxide) walls
stand together in an orderly fashion. From the end of the Edo Period
to the beginning of the Meiji Period in the 19th century, Fukiya was
occupied by a number of wealthy residents. Beautiful mansions built
by wealthy merchants can be found everywhere in Japan, but Fukiya
is unique. Instead of building homes that competed with each other
for luxuriousness, the owners of the respective houses worked
together to build a town based on a unified concept. They then put
their plan into action, hiring specialists in the construction of shrines
and temples in Sekishu (presently Shimane Prefecture). This kind of
idea was remarkably advanced back in those days. In 1977, the
Agency for Cultural Affairs designated 'Fukiya Furusato Mura' a
Japanese preservation district of important traditional structures.
Okayama's warm and sunny climate is
particularly good for producing sweet, flavourful
fruit such as juicy white peaches, tasty Muscat and
Pione grapes, as well as many kinds of melon. Fall is an
optimal time to enjoy the wonderful harvest. 