Things to do in Okayama City

Okayama Castle is located in Okayama Prefecture. It is also called Kuro Castle because the wall panels of the castle tower are painted black. It is also called Jinku Castle because of the golden roof and the golden animal head tiles on the top of the watchtower. From the Warring States Period to the Meiji Restoration, it was successively owned by the Ukita family, the Kobayakawa family, and the Ikeda family. The castle tower, the Tsukimi Turret, the Nishite Turret, and the Ishiyama Gate, which were built in the Momoyama style, have all been rated as national treasures of Japan. Okayama Castle is a five-story, six-story building and is one of the oldest castles in Japan.

It is a very old park. The trees inside seem to be very old. When it is hot in summer, the place is filled with the sound of cicadas. There are rice fields and tea gardens. It should be even more beautiful in spring. After going out from the side door and walking across a bridge, Okayama Castle is on the other side of the river.

​I visited Kurashiki last Sunday and absolutely loved it! The town perfectly blends Edo-period charm with modern cafes. The atmosphere is lively yet incredibly relaxing. I highly recommend using this pass! It is incredibly worth it. You can redeem it for activities like the traditional canal boat ride, museum entries, or local snacks. It saves a lot of money and is super convenient.

Every castle in Japan has a nickname. Okayama Castle's nickname is Karajo, so the so-called Karajo Park actually means Okayama Castle Park. It is a park composed of the Okayama Castle tower and the moat in front. The entire park is not large, but the location is still very good. If you come from Korakuen, you can cross an iron bridge and a wider river to reach it. After buying a combined ticket, there is no obstruction. It is called a park, but it is more of the scope of Honmaru. You can row a boat on the river, which is a very nice scenery.

Fun experience, but definitely recommend arriving early to dodge some of the lines!!!

Although the museum is not large, it's less than a 15-minute tram ride from Okayama Station and about a 20-minute walk from Okayama Castle. Because there are places to park strollers and lockers (refundable), it's safe to bring children. It's elegant and clean, in a great location, with beautiful architectural details, and the exhibits are diverse and interesting upon closer inspection. It's suitable to visit in conjunction with Okayama Castle, Korakuen Garden, and other nearby cultural attractions.