Cityscape | （日本） DISCOVER OKAYAMA OF JAPAN 岡山

Historical cityscape

There are many unique and distinctive cityscapes in Okayama Prefecture, including the nationally known Kurashiki Bikan Area and Okayama Cultural Zone, scattered with many museums. Many tourists come to this area to visit this origin point of culture.

You feel deep emotion when visiting this cityscape and in witnessing the history of the town.

In Okayama, there are many unique sights scattered across the area, reminding us of history and the atmosphere of days past.

Take time to walk through the distinctive cityscape, so full of character.

Let's take time to walk in the wide array of sights, such as the traditional white-walled houses and cityscape with beautiful colcothar lattice-work.

Beautiful garden completed over a long period of time

In addition to the Okayama Korakuen Garden, which is one of three major recognized Japanese-style gardens in Japan, there are many other beautiful Japanese-style gardens in the prefecture as well. The gardens are artistic places of historic interest, constructed over a long period of time, in order to perfect their beauty.

A design which lords and shogunate appreciated in olden days

The landscape of the garden was created by utilizing nature, made with a highly calculated design. The lords loved to view and walk amongst the scenery. Please feel the aesthetic sense of Japanese culture in this garden, providing colorful scenery and changes with the season.

Two major sights illustrate a history which Okayama proudly presents to the world.

Okayama has a wide range of cityscapes which are both historically and artistically important.

Cityscape of BIZEN

In addition to the Okayama Korakuen Garden, a “symbol” of Okayama Prefecture, there are other areas presenting scenes that stimulate one’s artistic senses.

Cityscape of BICCHU

An area of nostalgic cityscape, along with the Kurashiki Bikan Area

Cityscape of MIMASAKA

This area abounds with nature sites, such as Tsuyama Castle and Kakuzan Park, famous for its cherry blossoms. Please visit here to find comfort.

Okayama Korakuen Garden, Okayama Castle

This is a famous castle compound, composed of a great garden, one of three major Japanese-style gardens in Japan, and an eminent castle called “Ujo” (meaning “crow castle” in Japanese) due to its dark appearance.

Kurashiki Bikan Area

A cityscape with white walls extending along the Kurashiki River. It is designated by the government as a historic building preservation area.

Joto Mukashi Machiya (old urban houses)

There is an old streetscape built along the Izumo main street in the 17th century, which still remains.

Inujima Island

A plant which used to be used for copper refinery is now revitalized as the Inujima Art Project, “Refinery”. Inujima is an island where legend, history and modern art all exist side-by-side.

Takahashi

City in which old samurai culture still exists.

Shurakuen Garden

A garden a lord constructed in the early Edo Period (17 AD). Elegant Kyoto-style articles can be seen throughout many places in the garden.

Hayashibara Museum of Art

This is a museum where many national treasures and important cultural assets, including utensils that lords used to use, along with antiques, including swords inherited from the Ikeda family who was the former domain lord of Okayama District and Bizen swords, are collected.

Shimotsui Area

This is an old historic port town where many of the shops from long ago still exist. It also offers the classic atmosphere of fishermen’s town.

Tsuyama Castle, Kakuzan Park

In 2005, the “Bitchu Yagura Tower,” the largest tower in Tsuyama Castle, was rebuilt. This castle is well known as one of the best cherry blossom watching spots in western Japan. There are approximately 5,000 cherry trees in this park.

• Cityscape of Bizen.
• Cityscape of Bicchu.
• Cityscape of Mimasaka.