Introducing takeout shops and picnic spots around Okayama Korakuen Garden

Take-out bento and side dishes

Spring is here, and the weather is pleasantly warm. It's the perfect season to enjoy outdoor activities with takeout lunches and side dishes. In fact, the area around Okayama Okayama Korakuen Garden, Asahikawa Okayama Prefecture 's pride and joy, is dotted with recommended picnic spots, such as the Asahikawa riverbed and the Korakuen walking trails. This time, we'll introduce restaurants that offer takeout and recommended spots for enjoying a picnic with family and friends.

• Table of contents
• 1. Cantonese Tateyama
• 2. Hasei's side dishes
• 3. SALT- Ishikawa Shokudo
• 4. Frurela, an additive-free dessert
• Recommended picnic spots
• 1. Mizunote-suji Promenade
• 2. Asahikawa riverbed on the east side of Korakuen
• 3. Okayama Korakuen Garden
• 4. Okayama Prefectural Library
• 5. Walking path near the south gate of Korakuen
• summary

1. Cantonese Tateyama

When it comes to famous pork buns in Okayama Prefecture, it's undoubtedly "Yamachin's Pork Buns." They're so popular that online orders can take up to two years to order, and they've been loved by the prefecture's residents for over 60 years. The main store of Yamachin is located near the Okayama Prefectural Office and Okayama Prefectural Library. Takeout lunches and side dishes are also available.

Originally a Chinese restaurant, Sanchin offers over 20 types of bento boxes, including Chinese bento boxes with several side dishes and fried rice bento boxes, as well as over 10 types of side dishes. For parties or large picnics, you can also order a "Chinese hors d'oeuvre" party set to suit your budget.

Middle: Fried noodles (730 yen / tax included) Top right: Gomoku fried rice (830 yen / tax included)

Sanchin's bento boxes are very filling. The main store is open from 10:00, but some bento boxes, such as rice bowls and noodles, can only be picked up from 11:00.

[Cantonese Cuisine, Tateyama Main Branch]

Address: 2-12-22 Marunouchi , Kita Ward, Okayama City

TEL: 086-222-2316

Business hours: 10:00-17:00

Unmanned sales: 17:00 to 10:00 the next day

Closed: Mondays

Parking: None

Strollers: OK

Cantonese Cuisine Tateyama Official Website

2. Hasei's side dishes

This specialty store opened in November 2022. Founded in 1929, Haseui Shoten, a long-established kamaboko (fish cake) shop in Okayama, offers side dishes and bento boxes made with seasonal ingredients. Haseui's kamaboko and bento boxes are lined up, focusing on familiar Japanese dishes such as simmered hijiki seaweed and udon noodles. Gyorokkake, a deep-fried fish paste made in-house, is a popular item.

There are always 8 to 10 different types of bento boxes on display. They are all beautifully colored, so it's fun to choose which one to get. Every bento box contains kamaboko, a unique feature of Hasei.

Middle: Nori bento (972 yen / tax included) Top right: Uolocke (356 yen / tax included)

We chose the most popular "Nori Bento." It comes with so many side dishes that you can barely see the rice! All of the ingredients are Japanese, so we recommend it to tourists from overseas. The rice used is from Okayama Prefecture .

[Hasei's delicacies]

Location: 2-3-1 Uchisange , Kita Ward, Okayama City

TEL: 086-230-2212

Business hours: Monday to Friday: 11:00-19:00 / Saturdays and holidays: 11:00-17:00

Closed: Sundays

Parking: None

Strollers: OK

Hasei's Delicatessen Official Website

3. SALT- Ishikawa Shokudo

Located right next to the Okayama Prefectural Library, SALT- Ishikawa Shokudo uses as many ingredients as possible from Okayama Prefecture and serves dishes that bring out the natural flavor of the ingredients. It's a popular restaurant that's always full to capacity when you visit for weekday lunch.

Photo: Bento / Kurumafu Cutlet (1,250 yen / tax included)

The shop only has counter seating, so if you have small children, we recommend a take-out bento box.

You can enjoy the proud flavors of SALT- Ishikawa Shokudo, such as bento boxes containing a main dish, 3-4 seasonal side dishes, brown rice, and pickles, as well as curry bento boxes. Reservations can be made up to 4 days in advance to order hors d'oeuvres with a variety of seasonal side dishes. Perfect for sharing with a large group, this bento is also recommended for picnics.

For take-out menu items, please make a reservation in advance by phone. (Some photos have been provided.)

[SALT- Ishikawa Shokudo]

Address: 1F, 2-12-14 Marunouchi, Kita Kita Ward Okayama City

TEL: 086-238-9910

Business hours: 11:30-14:00 / 17:30-21:00

Closed: Sunday nights and Mondays

Strollers: Not allowed

SALT- Ishikawa Shokudo Official Website

4. Frurela, an additive-free dessert

Fururira uses additive-free ingredients and offers homemade desserts and bento boxes whenever possible so that even small children can eat them safely. They are particular about using no additives and are particular about using pesticide-free or reduced-pesticide fruits, rice, and vegetables.

Left: Okayama Prefecture pesticide-reduced strawberry mini parfait (800 yen / tax included) Right: Strawberry milk ice (750 yen / tax included)

Mini parfaits and other sweets are also available for takeout. The photo shows the staff's recommended "Strawberry Milk Ice." Made with milk from healthy, naturally pastured cows, it's packed with nutrition! This specially selected milk is frozen and shaved into rich milk ice, topped with a 100% strawberry sauce. Perfect for the coming season. Fururira offers daily bento boxes made with pesticide-free rice and no additives, including seasonings, as well as nutritious germinated and fermented brown rice rice balls.

(Some services, such as lunch boxes, are suspended during the summer.) (Some photos have been provided.)

[Additive-free dessert Frurela]

Address: 2-12-16 Marunouchi , Kita Ward ku, Okayama City

TEL: 050-8882-9350

Business hours: 11:30-19:00

Closed: Mondays

Strollers: OK

Additive-free dessert Frurela official website

Recommended picnic spots

We will introduce some recommended picnic spots around Okayama Korakuen Garden . We visited the places we will introduce this time with our one-year-old baby in a stroller, so you can enjoy them as picnic spots or walking courses with your baby.

1. Mizunote-suji Promenade

The Bizen Okayama Kyobashi Morning Market , held on the first Sunday of every month, is located about a three-minute walk from Saidaiji on the Okayama Electric Tramway Mount Higashiyama . A promenade runs along the river, making it a great place for a picnic. With the Asahikawa right in front of you, it's a great place to enjoy the spring breeze. There are also public toilets near the Kyobashi Morning Market, so you can rest assured.

If you head towards Aioi from Kyobashi, you'll find a refreshing breeze and a pleasant view along the river, making it a great place for a stroll. Benches are scattered along the promenade, making it a popular resting spot for office workers on weekdays.

[Mizunotesuji Promenade]

Location: Along the Asahikawa , around Kyobashi and Aioi

Toilet: Yes

Parking: There is a paid parking lot nearby

2. Asahikawa riverbed on the east side of Korakuen

The riverbed of the Asahikawa , where the Okayama Sakura Carnival is held and which is crowded with people during cherry blossom season, is a recommended spot for picnics. There is enough space even for pitching a large tent. Some people also enjoy barbecues.

[ Asahikawa riverbed on the east side of Korakuen]

Location: Asahikawa riverbed between Horaibashi and Aioi

Toilets: None

Parking: None

3. Okayama Korakuen Garden

Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, is a representative feudal lord's garden from the Edo period. Korakuen has a history of over 300 years, and you can actually bring your own lunch to enjoy it. Part of the beautifully maintained lawn area is open to the public, so you can often see people spreading out sheets and enjoying picnics.

In the Higashi plaza near Chaso-do, tables and benches are set up, making it a great spot to view Okayama Castle. You can also spread out a picnic blanket. Okayama Okayama Korakuen Garden, which has been awarded a three-star rating by the Michelin Green Guide Japan, is a great place to enjoy a picnic while immersing yourself in history. Highly recommended.

◎Event information: The Spring FANTASY GARDEN（GENSO-TEIEN） will be held from April 26th (Friday) to May 6th (Monday, public holiday), 2024, so you can enjoy the illuminated Korakuen Garden at night.

[Okayama Korakuen Garden ]

Address: 1-5 Korakuen , Kita Ward, Okayama City

TEL: 086-272-1148

Admission fee: 15-64 years old (excluding junior and senior high school students) 410 yen / 65 years old and over 140 yen Closed days: None

Opening hours: March 20th to September 30th: 7:30am to 6:00pm (last entry 5:45pm) / October 1st to March 19th: 8:00am to 5:00pm (last entry 4:45pm)

Toilet: Yes

Parking: Available

Okayama Korakuen Garden

4. Okayama Prefectural Library

At the Okayama Prefectural Library's lawn plaza, you can spread out a sheet and enjoy your lunch. There are also tables set up, and it's a relaxing area surrounded by plants and trees. The library also has a cafe where you can enjoy light meals such as pancakes and baked goods. There are also many books about the culture and tourism of Okayama Prefecture, so be sure to stop by.

[Okayama Prefectural Library]

Address: 2-6-30 Marunouchi, Kita-ku , Kita Ward Okayama City

TEL: 086-224-1286

Business hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:00-19:00, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays 10:00-18:00

Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays, and other temporary closures

*Please check the official website for details.

Toilet: Yes

Parking: Available

Okayama Prefectural Library Official Website

5. Walking path near the south gate of Korakuen

There is a walking path that goes all the way around the perimeter of Korakuen Garden. If you head downstream from the south gate of Korakuen Garden, you will come to a spot where you can see Okayama Castle. If you sit on a bench, you will not be able to see Okayama Castle due to the vegetation, but it is a perfect place for a short break. As you continue along the walking path, you will come across a beautiful plaza with large trees and benches where you can rest under the cherry blossom trees, making it a great place for a walk or picnic.

[Walking path near the south gate of Korakuen]

Location: Near the South Gate of Korakuen

Toilets: None

Parking: Use the parking lot at Korakuen

summary

The picnic spots introduced here are also recommended for strolling. The promenade from Kyobashi to Aioi is about 500m long, and walking along the river is refreshing. From the lawn plaza of Okayama Prefectural Library to Okayama Castle , you can simply cross the crosswalk. Why not take in the view of Okayama Okayama City from the castle tower of Okayama Castle and stroll through the beautiful gardens of Korakuen?