Information on Neighboring Prefectures

Introduction of 6 options of sightseeing tours mainly in Okayama and neighboring prefectures.

Recommended plans of sightseeing to neighboring prefectures (Hiroshima, Kagawa, Hyogo, Shimane, Tottori, as well as Setouchi Area) from Okayama which is nearly the center of Chugoku Region.

Shimane Route

Beauty of Garden and World Heritage Tour: Let's start out from Kurashiki to visit Shimane Prefecture. First, we proceed to Takahashi City, a historical town, and to Ikura-dow Cave. After staying overnight in Yubara Onsen, and relaxing in a hot spring bath, we will visit the Adachi Museum of Art, a famous art museum. At the end of the tour, we will visit the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, designated as a world heritage UNESCO.

1		Takahashi City Takahashi City, a town of old white-walled samurai residences, attracts people. The access to the town from Okayama and Kurashiki is convenient. Standing at an elevation of 435 meters, the Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is the highest mountain castle still existing in Japan. The famous Zen-temple style Japanese garden in Raikyuji Temple was designed and constructed in 1604 by Enshu Kobori, an authority on Japanese-style gardens. The scenery of the garden having Mt. Atagoyama on the backside is marvelous. The pictures (starting from the upper left) are Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, Raikyuji Temple, and the samurai residence of the Orii Family in Fukiya Furusato Village.
2		Ikura Ravine This is a calcareous cave with a total length of about 1,200 meters. There spreads a mysterious space created by lime stones.
3		Yubara Onsen A vigorous, giant dam stands in the deep mountains. When you take a bath in this “Sunayu” open-air hot spring, the “Western Yokozuna” (meaning “champion” in sumo wrestling) on the nation-wide open-air hot springs ranking list, you will feel the dynamic combination of the vast nature and the giant dam as you look up from the bath.
4		Adachi Museum of Art This museum is famous for artworks of Taikan Yokoyama, a master artist, and various other collections of artworks created by modern artists. The Japanese-style garden is also famous for its beautiful scenery.
5		Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, designated as a world heritage, used to be the silver mine in which over 200,000 people worked in its peak era. This silver mine was a source of colossal wealth to the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Hiroshima Route

Hiroshima World Heritage Tour: You can take a day trip from Kurashiki to Hiroshima Prefecture to enjoy sightseeing at two world heritages, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and the Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine.

1		Hiroshima Peace Memorial As the world’s first witness of atomic bombing, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial makes a strong appeal for an importance of abolishment of nuclear weapons and establishment of lasting peace.
2		Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine Miyajima is one of three most scenic spots in Japan. The splendid vermeil shrine gate, standing in the ocean, is the symbol of Itsukushima Shrine.

Tottori Route

Nature Experience Tour: A one-day tour to Tsuyama, a historical city, and to Tottori Prefecture can be enjoyed from Okayama and Kurashiki. Yunogo Onsen and Okutsu Onsen in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture are the pride of Okayama, and are recommended places to visit if you want to spend one more day for relaxing.; 1Days Trip
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1		Ttsuyama City After the Tsuyama Castle was established in the 17th century securing the safety of merchants, Tsuyama became a stop-off along the Izumo Kaido Road. You can see the legacies of wealth and prosperity of the old days in the city. There are many must-see spots in Tsuyama, including Joto Mukashi Machiya (old urban houses) and Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park). The pictures show (from the upper left) Joto Mukashi Machiya and Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park).
2		Yunogo Onsen Yunogo Onsen, known also as the “Sagino-yu” (hot spring of the heron), is one of oldest hot springs having 1,200 years of history.
3		Okutsu Onsen Okutsu Onsen, which is located in the valley upstream of the Yoshii River, is an excellent and nostalgic hot spring village selected as one of the 100 best sightseeing spots in Japan.
4		Tottori Dunes The dunes, which stretch for about 16km east to west and 2km north to south, are the largest dunes in Japan. The “wind ripple” created by the wind and nature is a grand sight to see.

Setouchi Route

Sea and Art Experience Tour: Please enjoy picturesque sceneries of small green islands in the calm inland sea and various artworks which you can see only in the Setouchi area.

1		Naoshima Island The sanctuary of modern art, Naoshima, is the place where “Chichu Art Museum” and “Benesse House” stand and the “Art House Project” has been developed. These architectures and the on-going project are well-harmonized together with the nature and climate of Naoshima.
2		Inujima Island A plant which used to be used for copper refinery is now revitalized as the Inujima Art Project, “Refinery.” This is the island where legendary stories, history, and modern art exist together.
3		Shodoshima Island There are many sightseeing spots in the Shodoshima Island, including the peaceful sceneries of olive fields and the observatory from which the Seto Inland See can be seen.

Kagawa Route

Bridge Crossing Tour: With magnificent and stately structure, the Seto Ohashi Bridge stands as the door to Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku. Please splint out from Okayama City to enjoy the islands and other beautiful scenery in the Seto Inland Sea.

1		Old Nozaki House Nozaki House is the impressive house of Buzaemon Nozaki who was called “King of the Salt Farm.” The houses lining this large site are well preserved, and stand as they used to be. Several of warehouses are used to exhibit the articles relevant to salt manufacturing.
2		Seto Ohashi Bridge This is the largest bridge in the world, having both a road for automobiles and a train line, and connects Shikoku and Honshu. Enjoy the scenery of the beautiful islands in the Seto Inland Sea from train and boat.
3		Ritsurin Garden Park Amongst all of the gardens earning special “beauty designations” in Japan, this garden is the largest circuit-style garden park, and was constructed by a lord. The beauty of nature and the figurative arts work in harmony in this park.

Hyogo Route

Popular Himeji Castle Tour: You will enjoy an extremely meaningful one-day tour to the Himeji Castle, a world heritage, and to Kobe City, one of the most attractive cities in Japan.

1		Bizen Pottery Traditional and Contemporary Art Museum A variety of Bizen Pottery having over a millennium of history, early to modern, as well as pieces crafted by masters designated as “living national treasures”, are collected and exhibited here.
2		Old Shizutani School This is the oldest school in existence for general public education, built by Okayama domain lord Mitsumasa Ikeda, and is a historical site officially designated by the government. The colored fall leaves of the Chinese Pistache tree, called the “Tree of Study”, are also beautiful.
3		Himeji Castle Himeji Castle is a national treasure of Japan and is also designated as a world heritage. It is a prominent wooden structure having delicate intricacies and functionalities built into its architecture.
4		Kobe An exotic streetscape of Kitano Ijin-kan Street, once a former residential area for early foreign settlers. It is an urban city where you can enjoy not only beautiful night scenery and views of the port, but also shopping and various different culinary dishes.

Contents「Information on Neighboring Prefectures」

Must-see sights

Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival

【Mimasaka Area】 Tsuyama city

Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival

This festival is the spring time tradition at Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park) which is famous as one of the best cherry blossom watching spots.

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Administrative Council: Okayama Prefectural International Tourism Theme District Inbound Promotion Meeting
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