2026.01 Okayama, Land of Sunshine: The Undiscovered Essence of Japan[PR]
Okayama, known as the “Land of Sunshine” for being one of Japan’s sunniest regions, is bathed in gentle light throughout the year. Just a 45-minute Shinkansen bullet train ride from Osaka, it feels pleasantly removed from the hustle and bustle, offering quiet natural scenery and a relaxed pace of life.
At the heart of Okayama, which was once a thriving castle town, stands the jet-black Okayama Castle (also known as Ujo or Crow Castle), its 400-year history still woven into the fabric of the city. Step beyond the Japan you think you know and embark on a journey to discover the country’s true essence in Okayama, where echoes of the past blend seamlessly with diverse charms: nature, fruits, tradition, cuisine, art, and hot springs.
Fruits Nurtured in the Land of Sunshine: Okayama City South Village (Okayama City)
Okayama, the Land of Sunshine, is a true fruit kingdom, where the warmth of the sun lives on in every bite. White peaches and Shine Muscat grapes are among Okayama’s prized treasures, renowned worldwide for their rich sweetness and elegant aroma. At Okayama City South Village, an agricultural park inspired by the charm of southern Europe, visitors can enjoy seasonal fruit picking—from grapes to strawberries— and fully experience the region’s rich food culture. A lively market filled with freshly harvested produce from local farmers invites you to savor the flavors of Okayama with all five senses.
A Star-Filled Sky (Ibara City)
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and felt as if the stars might fall? That’s the kind of awe-inspiring beauty you’ll find in Bisei Town, Ibara City—one of Japan’s most beloved stargazing spots and a symbol of the “Land of Astronomy Okayama.” This town enacted Japan’s first light-pollution prevention ordinance and even keeps its streetlights deliberately dim, all for the sake of preserving the stars.
As of 2021, Bisei Town gained international recognition as the only certified dark-sky region on Honshu, celebrated for its outstanding efforts in protecting its stargazing environment. At Hoshi Kuukan Auto Campground, countless stars shimmer across the exceptionally clear night sky thanks to the minimal air turbulence—a defining feature of this Land of Sunshine. Just one minute away by car, the Ibara Hoshizora Park stands at an elevation of over 500 meters. From there, visitors can take in views of the beauty of the islands of the Seto Inland Sea and the silhouette of Mt. Daisen. At night, the softly glowing “Wish Come True Path” and “Wish Come True Postbox” add a gentle, dreamlike touch—illuminating both the landscape and the hearts of those who visit.
Traditional Beef Cuisine Culture and Local Gourmet Delights (Tsuyama City)
Okayama’s food culture is deeply enriched by the blessings of the Seto Inland Sea, livestock raised on its mountain plateaus, and vegetables and fruits nurtured in fertile soil. Its regional cuisine is known for its delicate flavors that highlight the natural taste of each ingredient—a true expression of the taste of Japan.
The Tsuyama area, in particular, has preserved a diverse array of beef dishes as part of its traditional food culture passed down through generations. Thanks to the freshness of the meat and advanced processing techniques, food tradition that makes use of every part of the cow has become part of daily life. Local specialties include sozuri nabe (shaved beef hotpot), dried beef, yomenakase (beef offal stew), and nikogori (gelatinized broth).
Among these, one beloved local specialty stands out: Tsuyama’s famous horumon udon noodles. The dish captivates with the savory aroma of offal sizzling on a hot plate and its distinctive sauce that brings out a deep, rich umami. It is a flavor that unmistakably embodies the spirit of Tsuyama.
The Embodiment of Fire and Skill: Osafune, the Sacred Land of Japanese Swords, and Okayama’s Traditional Crafts and History (Setouchi City)
Osafune Town in Setouchi City has flourished as a center of Japanese sword production since the Kamakura period (1185–1333). At the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum which is home to the National Treasure “Tachi Mumei Ichimonji (Sanchoumou)”*, visitors can closely admire the beauty of Japanese swords, with a particular focus on Bizen swords. In addition, skilled craftsmen involved in sword-making—such as swordsmiths and sword-fitting artisans—demonstrate the finishing processes of Japanese swords on a daily basis.
*The National Treasure Tachi Mumei Ichimonji (Sanchoumou) is not on permanent display and is showcased only during special and other limited-time exhibitions.
Beyond this, Okayama invites you to explore its cultural depth through traditional architecture and hands-on craft experiences. Discover Bizen ware, the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, fired at high temperatures without glaze. Visit the Former Shizutani School, Japan’s first school for commoners founded in 1670. Wander through the vermilion-hued townscape of Fukiya Furusato Village in Takahashi City, or stroll the streets of Katsuyama in Maniwa City, where shop noren curtains sway gently in the breeze. Wherever you go, you’ll encounter beauty and craftsmanship lovingly preserved through generations.
A City Where Art and Culture Resonate (Kurashiki City)
The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, with its white-walled storehouses and rows of willow trees, is a town where art and culture flow gently through time. Once a flourishing merchant district, it still radiates the warmth of tradition and a refined aesthetic sensibility.
Founded in 1930, the Ohara Museum of Art was Japan’s first private museum dedicated primarily to Western art. Here, encounters that transcend time and culture await, from world-renowned masterpieces by Monet, El Greco, and Gauguin to works by contemporary artists from Japan and around the globe.
Other experiences await—morning tours bathed in soft light, leisurely riverboat cruises, and rickshaw rides through charming alleyways. In Kurashiki, where nature and art quietly resonate, each step gently fills the heart with contentment.
The Mimasaka Hot Springs of Beauty (Maniwa City, Mimasaka City, and Kagamino Town)
Nestled deep in the mountains of northern Okayama Prefecture’s Mimasaka region, one of western Japan’s premier hot spring areas emerges in soft clouds of steam. Long cherished by both travelers and those seeking healing, Yubara Onsen, Okutsu Onsen, and Yunogo Onsen are collectively known as the Mimasaka Hot Springs. As the name suggests—“Mimasaka” includes the character for beauty—these are known as “beautifying hot springs”, celebrated for their exceptional skin-enhancing properties. The longer you soak, the more supple and hydrated your skin becomes, and the more deeply your mind begins to relax.
Yubara Onsen
Yubara Onsen is a renowned hot spring that had already gained fame as a therapeutic bathing destination by the 16th century. Its iconic open-air sand baths, stretching along the Asahi River, were selected as the “Western Yokozuna” in the national ranking of outdoor baths. Here, you can immerse yourself in the exceptionally rare experience of bathing in a hot spring where the source wells up directly from beneath your feet—a feature seldom found even in Japan. The fresh, mineral-rich spring leaves your skin feeling silky smooth, a texture often described in Japan as tsurusube. Although the bath is mixed-gender, women are welcome to wear bathing suits or traditional bathing garments. After your soak, take a stroll down Carancoron Boulevard, the main street of the hot spring town, where nostalgic townscapes evoke the charm of a bygone era. For a deeper look into the region’s bathing traditions, stop by the Yubara Onsen Museum to further immerse yourself in the region’s hot spring culture.
Okutsu Onsen
Okutsu Onsen is a quiet, hidden hot spring nestled between mountains and rivers. Like Yubara Onsen, it is known for its spring water that wells up directly from beneath your feet, offering the luxurious experience of soaking in exceptionally fresh, high-quality water straight from the source. As you bathe surrounded by the gentle sounds of the clear mountain stream, the waters—long celebrated as a “bath of beauty,”—leave your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. Nearby, the renowned autumn foliage spot of Okutsu Valley enchants visitors with the seasonal beauty of its gorge.
Yunogo Onsen
Legend has it that Yunogo Onsen was discovered some 1,200 years ago. Once famed for its healing effects on wounds, it also earned the name Sagi-no-yu, or “heron hot spring.” Its waters are a globally rare combination: a weakly alkaline sodium-calcium chloride spring containing nitrogen gas, making it ideal for long, relaxing soaks. Known for its moisturizing properties and ability to promote circulation, Yunogo Onsen is also revered as a “bath of beauty”, renowned for leaving the skin feeling silky-smooth.
The hot spring town itself offers delightfull attractions such as the Japan Museum of Contemporary Toy & Hall of Music Box, adding to its nostalgic and relaxing charm. Yunogo Onsen is conveniently located about 10 minutes by bus or taxi from JR Hayashino Station, and a free shuttle bus* is available from Okayama Station for overnight guests.
*Advance reservations required. For shuttle bus inquiries, please contact your Yunogo Onsen inn by noon of the day prior to use (see the Yunogo Onsen Hot Spring Inn Cooperative link at the end of this article).
Just a short journey from Japan’s major cities, Okayama offers a unique sense of local charm. Set against a backdrop of gentle landscapes and a warm climate, the region quietly preserves the spirit of simple living and the timeless beauty of Japan’s original scenery. Access is easy: from Osaka, it takes about 45 minutes by Shinkansen bullet train; from Tokyo, around three hours by bullet train, or approximately 80 minutes by plane. For seasoned travelers in particular, this is where you’ll discover “another Japan.”
Related Links
Official Website |
| URL:https://www.okayama-japan.jp/en/ |
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| URL:https://www.facebook.com/okayama.eng/ |
Okayama City South Village |
| URL:https://www.okayama-japan.jp/en/spot/10862 |
Tsuyama City’s Food Scene |
| URL:https://www.tsuyamakan.jp/en/gourmetmap |
Bizen Osafune Sword Museum |
| URL:https://www.city.setouchi.lg.jp.e.amw.hp.transer.com/site/token/ |
Yunogo Onsen Hot Spring Inn Cooperative |
| URL:https://spa-yunogo.or.jp/en/ |
