Marimari.com : Japan

The prefecture of Okayama includes the cities of Okayama and Kurashiki, as well as other interesting towns and tourist attractions.

This rapidly growing city has asserted itself as the most dynamic metropolis in the region. For this reason, it often finds itself playing host to visiting foreigners, especially those on business trips.

Travelling within Okayama is easy, compliments to the Higashi-yama tram route, which will take visitors to all prime attractions. There are only two tram routes, both starting directly in front of the station.

This Garden is Okayama's most notable attraction and was originally laid out in 1686 for the warlord Ikeda. The Koraku Garden is said to be one of the three finest gardens in Japan, with the other two being the Kairaku Garden in Mito, Northern Japan, and Kenroku Garden in Kanazawa, Central Japan. Koraku-en is unusual for its large grassy areas, its attractive ponds, and the cultivation of crops such as rice and wheat. Tea is also grown here and numerous tea houses dot this strolling garden.

Also known as Crow Castle because of its black exterior, the Okayama Castle showcases various interesting displays. The castle is located across from Koraku-en and admission tickets can be bought for both attractions. The castle is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There are various museums in Okayama. The Hayashibara Museum of Art, which houses a private collection of both Japanese and Chinese artifacts, is located near the Okayama Castle. The Okayama Prefectural Museum showcases displays of local history and is located next to the main entrance of Koraku Garden. North of the garden is Yumeji Art Museum, which displays works by famed artist Yumeji Takehisa. The Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art also exhibits works by Takehisa. Located near the latter is the Okayama Orient Museum, which presents to us a small collection of Middle Eastern art.

Located about 45 minutes by train east along the coast from Okayama is the 700-year-old pottery region of Bizen. The town is famous for its unglazed, coarse Bizen-yaki pottery that is produced in wood-fired kilns. There are more than 100 kilns in Imbe, along with other museums such as the Bizen Togei Bijutsukan (Ceramics Museum) and Fujiwara Kei Kinenkan gallery.

West of Okayama is the textile-producing city of Kurashiki. However, Kurashiki, which means warehouse village, is well-known for bringing together world-class Japanese and international art and traditional crafts in an exquisite setting. Thirteen and a half hectares of 300-year-old black-tiled rice warehouses, Meiji-era factories, and the homes of samurai and wealthy merchant families have been elegantly preserved and converted into museums, craft shops, and art galleries. Kurashiki is convenient enough to walk around, as most attractions are located within a block or two of the central canal. Most of the museums are closed on Mondays and the number of visitors drops dramatically on this day. Visitors should not be surprised if they were to meet a charming retired English teacher, Mr. Sato Yasuzo, who makes it his main pleasure to befriend foreign tourists and to show them hidden corners of his hometown.

Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Ohara Museum of Art is undoubtedly the number one museum in Kurashiki. It houses mainly European art collections of textile tycoon Ohara Keisaburo. Collections of folk art, Chinese art, and contemporary art can also be viewed in a new building behind the main museum.

This museum has an interesting display of folk craft toys. Open daily from, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the first floor is filled with traditional Japanese toys, dolls, and kites, while the second floor offers toys from around the world. The adjacent toy store is as interesting as the museum itself.

Located next to the Folk Toy Museum, this museum displays over 4,000 simple, handmade objects that are or were used in everyday life. The collection is housed in a rustic, attractive complex of linked wooden rice granaries. It opens daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The daily life of one of Kurashiki's leading families can be viewed at the Ohashi House, which is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Built in 1796, this house is much larger than other typical merchant houses of that time.