Specialties
OKAYAMA☆Omotenashi Restroom
In order to offer a “secure, safe and comfortable” trip for visitors, Okayama Prefecture introduces the “OKAYAMA Omotenashi Restroom”, a public restroom that meets the prefecture’s established standards for “facilities, cleaning and hospitality”
Okayama Castle
Okayama Castle
The magnificent Okayama Castle. In the background flows Asahi River. Naoie Ukita settled in Okayama, and thus the history of Okayama city started. Okayama Castle Tower, which was built by Hideie, the son of Naoie, has black-painted siding and roof tiles covered with gold leaf. This stately luxurious castle was suitable for the castle load, a powerful Daimyo related to Hideyoshi Toyotomi. The grand castle was burned down during the war in 1945. In 1966, the castle was reconstructed and in 2022 it was opened for public after major renovation.
KITERASU
KITERASU
This is a public restroom made to promote the use of wood materials. It was constructed with a new building method utilzing CLT, Cross-Laminated Timber. It’s a resting spot complete with benches and bike stands, and was named a winner of the 17th (2020) Chugoku Architectural Culture Prize.
Shiro-machi Station
Shiro-machi Station
A toilet specific to Takahashi City, a city that promotes that idea of ‘town building from restrooms'. It is located next to the famous Bicchu Matsuyama Castle, also known as “The Castle in the Sky''. This area not only offers the Takahashi toilet, but also serves as a rest area and souvenir store where visitors can enjoy hospitality from the region’s locals
JR Katsumada station
JR Katsumada station
This is a restroom at Katsumada Station on the JR West Kishin Line. Following renovations completed in February of 2021, the station now has a motif reflecting its history as a flourishing inn town and alternate residence for the feudal lords of the Edo period (1603-1867) along the Izumo Highway.
The station can be reached in 90 minutes from Okayama Station via the Tsuyama Line, and 90 minutes from Himeji Station via the Kishin Line. It is also a point of departure for buses heading to Tsuyama and Nagi.
Roadside Sta. Awakurando
Roadside Sta. Awakurando
“Awakurando” is located beside the Tottori Expressway’s Nishiawakura Interchange, the central point that connects the San-in and Sanyo regions. This is a resting space where one can enjoy restaurants that offer special seasonal cuisine as well as a popular local hamburger. At this rest area, one can experience the CLT restroom. This restroom is the first structure that Okayama Prefecture built using CLT (cross-laminated timber), a new building material. This wooden restroom is very comforting and gives off a strong sense of cleanliness.
Roadside Sta. Sanyodo Yakagejuku
Roadside Sta. Sanyodo Yakagejuku
Opened in March of 2021, this new style of roadside station has no shops or restaurants on its premises, encouraging visitors to enjoy those at the nearby shopping district. The station building was supervised by Okayama-born industrial designer MITOOKA Eiji, and has a children’s play room, observatory deck, and a tourism and local product information corner.
Roadside Sta. Kaze-no-Ie
Roadside Sta. Kaze-no-Ie
A roadside station that has gained popularity as a landmark for leisure in Hiruzen. This establishment has dairy products, local specialties and souvenirs for sale, as well as a restaurant with a menu that is loaded with local cuisine, such as soft-serve ice cream and Hiruzen Yakisoba.
Roadside Sta. Gaisen zakura Shinjo-syuku
Roadside Sta. Gaisen zakura Shinjo-syuku
Gaisen Sakura Shinjo-Shuku was opened in April 2018 as a setting for advertising Shinjo Village’s attractiveness. Shinjo Village isn’t just a place for buying local Shinjo goods. It also functions as an everyday shopping point for the village and plays the role of the community hub for the people of the region.
Roadside Sta. Hiruzen Kogen
Roadside Sta. Hiruzen Kogen
Located in the center of the Hiruzen District and adjacent to Hotel Hiruzen Hills. The shop has a corner with local specialties, souvenirs, soft-serve ice cream and much more for sale. And it can be used as a resting area where one can view and receive numerous pamphlets. Also offering rental bicycles, this area is also recommended as a departure point for cycling.
Roadside Sta. Kumenan
Roadside Sta. Kumenan
The Kumenan Roadside Station is located in the middle of National Route 53, which connects the cities of Okayama and Tsuyama. Its cafeteria features a healthy menu with dishes made from selected ingredients, including freshly-picked vegetables local to the town of Kumenan. The station also has takeout options made with Kumenan’s local specialty, yuzu (a kind of citrus fruit), as well as plenty of souvenirs to choose from. Locals and drivers use the station as a place to rest on their long journeys.
Uji public restroom
Uji public restroom
A toilet specific to Takahashi City, a city that promotes that idea of ‘town building from restrooms'. It is located next to “Moto Nakada Tei Kurayashiki”, a structure that carries on the traditions of village headsmen of the Edo Period. It was formerly the sake cellar of Nakata Tei but was refurbished into a facility currently used for training, dinner parties and lodging. This spot is highly recommended as a rest area when visiting “Fukiya Furusato Village", a spot chosen as a Japan Heritage site.
Kibi SA
Kibi SA
Sanyo Expressway service area
Following renovations to the service area's downbound (Shimonoseki-bound) side, it has become a store reminiscent of a marketplace, where you can experience the charms of Okayama, “The Land of Sunshine.” It’s also outfitted with a “Welcome Gate” accessible from local roads.
Okayama Farmers Market North Village Roadside market
Okayama Farmers Market North Village Roadside market
Okayama Farmers Market North Village is an agricultural park located in Shoo Town. This park has many recreational fields such as the athletic field, petting zoo and the vast lawn field, as well as various hands-on learning experiences, restaurants, BBQ areas, souvenir shops and a mountain lodge style cottage where visitors can stay. North Village is a park where one can enjoy and learn in a bountiful nature environment. Okayama local specialties and souvenir items can be bought at the roadside market near the entrance of North Village.
Michiguchi PA
Michiguchi PA
Sanyo Expressway parking area
Both the Okayama-bound and Shimonoseki-bound sides have been renovated, with the former gaining a “MOTENAS” shop offering fine dining and souvenirs.
Hoshi-no-Sato Tourist Information Center
Hoshi-no-Sato Tourist Information Center
Hoshi-no-Sato Tourist Information Center is located in Ibara City’s Bisei Town, the first municipality in Asia to be certified by the Dark Sky Community in November 2021. This is a spot where one can receive information on Bisei Town Tourism, purchase local goods and enjoy local cuisine.
Ipponmatsu view park
Ipponmatsu view park
This is the Ipponmatsu view park, which boasts the very best view of the Okayama Blue Line and the many beautiful islands that surround it. It’s also home to the “Mini Railway Park,” which has a national reputation as one of the greatest of its type in Japan. Along with some delicious restaurants and a farmer’s market, it’s an excellent tourist spot for adults and kids alike.
Roadside Sta. Kamogawa-Enjo
Roadside Sta. Kamogawa-Enjo
A spot located along Route 429 that offers road information and information on a region born from the idea of being able to use the roads comfortably. There is a parallel restaurant establishment that uses the region’s ingredients for their dishes, as well as fresh agricultural goods, processed goods and the town’s local signature products on display and for sale.
Tsukuriyama-kofun Tumulus Visitor Center
Tsukuriyama-kofun Tumulus Visitor Center
Information on “Tsukuriyama Ancient Burial Mound”, the fourth largest Zenpo Koen Fun (large keyhole-shaped burial mound) of Japan’s early fifth century, “Okayama, Birthplace of The Legend of Momotaro”, one of Japan’s designated cultural assets, and tourism in the vicinity of Tsukuriyama Ancient Burial Mound is offered at the Tsukuriyama-kofun Tumulus Visitor Center.
Kurashiki City Bus Parking Lot
Kurashiki City Bus Parking Lot
A paid bus parking lot with a capacity of more than 24 motor coach buses located 100m to the southwest from the west entrance of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.
Kurashiki City Rest Area and Kurashiki Museum of Natural History situated nearby are also accessible to those who do not use the parking.
Kurashikikan
Kurashikikan
Kurashikikan is a two story western style wooden house built in 1917 (Taisho year 6) and now serves as Kurahsikikan Tourist Information Office providing information about tourist facilities to visitors. The building has a free lounge equipped with vending machines, a lactation room, diaper changing tables, etc. on the second floor, and often regarded as the center of the tourism in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.
Kurashiki Monogatarikan
Kurashiki Monogatarikan
Kurashiki Monogatarikan is a tourist facility situated near the entrance of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. The building was originally an old house built in Edo era (1600-1868) to the beginning of Showa era (1926-1989) and went through a complete renovation to become what it is today. This facility has exhibition rooms, Japanese-style rooms, multipurpose rooms, conference rooms, etc., and has been used for various purposes as a dominant facility to enhance tourists’ activity and improve accessibility within the Bikan Quarter.
Tsuyama Station North Exit Square Tourist Information Center
Tsuyama Station North Exit Square Tourist Information Center
Tsuyama Station North Exit Square, the gateway to Tsuyama city, was redeveloped into a comfortable, visitor-friendly area in 2016.
Now the square functions as a tourist hub with bus and taxi terminals, and “Nigiwai Koryukan Souvenir Center” selling local specialties.
The building of the Center is designed in a style of traditional castle town and some photographs of Tsuruyama park’s cherry blossoms and Joto area townscapes are also on display inside.
Joto Public Parking
Joto Public Parking
A restroom located in Joto District. This District is considered Tsuyama City’s Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings where historical townhouses with Namako walls, wing walls, and Mushikago windows are lined up.
The restroom was renovated in 2021. The classical exterior design matches the scenery of the castle town. This nice restroom has interior partition walls made from laminated lumber of Tsuyama cypress that gives the warmth of wood.
In front of the restroom, there is a tourist digital signage with multilingual language support providing Information such as sightseeing spots and bus routes.
Description via Pictograms
Description via Pictograms
①There are multilingual descriptions and pictograms that explain how to use it.
②Western-style toilets with bidets available (at least one for each gender)
③Bright Lighting (intensity: 50 lux)
④Periodic Cleaning
⑤No lingering smells. Measures taken for odor prevention
⑥Extra toilet paper supplied
⑦Widely used by tourists
⑧Disease prevention measures implemented (alcohol disinfectant, automatic faucets etc. available)
Description via Pictograms
Description via Pictograms
⑨Multi-function toilets offered in consideration of those in wheelchairs, elderly individuals and ostomates
⑩Toilets made available in consideration of those in the company of infants or family members
⑪Restrooms designed to reduce crowding
⑫Powder area available
⑬Engaged in maintaining a sanitary restroom
⑭Sanitary Flooring
⑮Dry-type Cleaning
⑯Introduction of equipment in consideration of cleanability
Description via Pictograms
Description via Pictograms
⑰Available for use 24 hours a day
⑱Engaged in hospitality for our guests
⑲Measures taken to minimize noise, such as the otohime (toilet device that plays a melody or flushing sound)
