Must-see sights in Okayama | （日本） DISCOVER OKAYAMA OF JAPAN 岡山

Where is Okayama in Japan?

A vital base of transportation in Chugoku and Shikoku regions

Okayama Prefecture is located almost in the center of the Chugoku and Shikoku regions. In the northern area of Okayama Prefecture, the Chugoku Mountains form a boundary between the San-In area and Sanyo area. In the southern area, the Seto Inland Sea borders on Shikoku, and Okayama is located in the middle of the Sanyo Expressway (between Hyogo Prefecture on the east and Hiroshima Prefecture on the west), which runs east-west through western Japan. As a key hub of transportation in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions from old times, Okayama has thriven on its culture and industries: In ancient times Bizen Pottery and Japanese swords (in the Bizen Osahune area), in recent times the textile industry and a modern industrial area (Mizushima Industrial Zone).

Introduction of Okayama area division

Okayama Prefecture used to be divided into three areas in the past.

In the past, Okayama Prefecture used to be divided into three areas: Bizen, Bicchu, and Mimasaka. In Okayama Prefecture, we can enjoy Okayama-specific historical and cultural facilities, and the rich nature abundant in each of its primary areas. In the Bizen area, located in the southeast of Okayama Prefecture, you can visit the famous Okayama Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle, the Inbe, which is a Bizen Pottery-making town, and the Bizen Osahune which is a “town of famous swords”. In the Bicchu area, which is located in the west, there are the Kurashiki Bikan area, Seto Ohashi Bridge, Kibiji District, and Bicchu Matsuyama Castle. In the Mimasaka area of northern Okayama, you can enjoy three famous hot springs; Yubara Hot Spring, Yunogou Hot Spring and Okutsu Hot Spring, Tsuyama Castle, and Hiruzen plateau.

The reason why Okayama is called the “Sunny Land"

The northern part of Okayama Prefecture is blessed with an abundance of mountains and hot springs. In the southern part, the calm Seto Inland Sea, filled with island-studded beauty, stretches out. Also, three rivers (Yoshii River, Asahi River and Takahashi River) provide a high quality and quantity of water. It is blessed with nature; a sea, mountains and rivers, a mild climate and many sunny days. Also, there are few natural disasters and a lot of delicious foods. These are the reasons why Okayama Prefecture has been called the "Sunny Land".

Please experience ultimate relaxation in Okayama.

Such a mild and comfortable climate, in combination with its geographical characteristics, makes Okayama appropriate for growing fruit. We are proud of our large production of peaches and grapes in Japan. Additionally, there are various kinds of fish and seafood caught in the Seto Inland Sea that are extremely delicious. Abundant tourist resources influenced by the climate, nature and history are scattered throughout Okayama Prefecture. With plenty of convenient ways to visit, numerous domestic and international tourists come to Okayama. The most popular places are; the Kurashiki Bikan area, which has historic white-walled buildings, the Hiruzen Highlands which are one of the top highland resorts of the western Japan, the three famous hot springs in Mimasaka, in the Chugoku Mountains, Okayama Korakuen Garden and the Seto Inland Sea. Please stop in the "Sunny Land" after enjoying a visit to Japan’s big cities such as Tokyo or Osaka.