[ad_1]
Okayama: An Enchanting Land of Dynasty and Modernity
Okayama is a beautiful city located in the western parts of Japan. A perfect blend of history, culture, and modernity, the city offers scenic beauty, food, and calmness at the same time. The city is surrounded by mountains and has a beautiful coastline that attracts travelers from all across the world. In this article, we will guide you through the beautiful city of Okayama, highlighting the key attractions, popular street food, top-rated hotels and Airbnb, and places to visit.
Scenery and Attractions
The city has beautiful landscapes, including stunning gardens, a unique castle, and beautiful beaches. The most exquisite landscape in Okayama is the scenic beauty of the Kibi Plain. This area is home to numerous beautiful farms and orchards that form a unique pattern, especially during the apple and peach seasons. The region is not only green but offers an excellent opportunity for travelers to explore the countryside.
What I Like and Dislike
What I like most about Okayama is the friendly people who welcome visitors with open arms. The city offers a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, making it one of the best places to visit in Japan. The only drawback is that the city is relatively quiet, and there are not many entertainment options available for the youthful travelers.
Average Cost of Living in a Day
The average cost of living in Okayama is affordable compared to many other cities in Japan. For example, a basic meal at a restaurant costs around 15 USD, a cup of coffee costs around 3 USD, and a taxi ride requires around 20 USD. The city offers plenty of budget-friendly places to stay, along with high-end luxurious accommodations.
Top 20 Points of Interest in Okayama
1. Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (Kurashikishi, Kurashiki 710-0842 Okayama Prefecture)
2. Okayama Castle (2-3-1 Marunouchi, Okayama 700-0823 Okayama Prefecture)
3. Korakuen Garden (1-5 Koraku, Okayama 703-8257 Okayama Prefecture)
4. Okayama Orient Museum (1-1-20 Uchikochi, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0971 Okayama Prefecture)
5. Tsuyama Castle (59-1 Oe, Tsuyama 708-1217 Okayama Prefecture)
6. Ritsu’in Temple (22-1 Kotobukichō, Minami-ku, Okayama, 700-0985 Okayama Prefecture)
7. Hayashibara Museum of Art (2-7-15 Asahimachi, Okayama 700-0971 Okayama Prefecture)
8. Mimasaka City Museum of History and Folklore (1342-2 Seto, Mimasaka 707-0035 Okayama Prefecture)
9. Momotaro Legend Museum (5-5-5 Kaminishi, Okayama 700-0982 Okayama Prefecture)
10. Okayama Chuo Park (1-1 Nishikimachi, Okayama 700-0975 Okayama Prefecture)
11. Peach Boy’s Birthplace Stone Monument (17-7 Higashitanemachi, Okayama 700-0983 Okayama Prefecture)
12. The Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art (2-1-1 Omote-chō, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-0822)
13. Ikeda Zoo (7-72-1 Iwara, Tsuyama 708-0053 Okayama Prefecture)
14. Kurashiki City Art Museum (3-21-3 Achi, Kurashiki 710-0822 Okayama Prefecture)
15. Shimotsui-Seto Bridge (Okayama Prefecture)
16. Akaiwa City Museum (614 Fukawa, Akaiwa 701-2502 Okayama Prefecture)
17. Katsuyama Park Zoo (5-5-10 Kiyone, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0907 Okayama Prefecture)
18. Jodo-ji Temple (15-2 Sanyamachi, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0966 Okayama Prefecture)
19. Okayama Prefectural Museum of Natural History (4-6-4 Wadamicho, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0922 Okayama Prefecture)
20. Okayama Symphonic Hall (2-20 Ishizeki, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0961 Okayama Prefecture)
Top 20 Popular Street Food
1. Tamago Kake Gohan, a Japanese traditional egg mashed over the top of the hot boiled rice ($3)
2. Takoyaki, Grilled Octopus ball, seven pieces per order ($6)
3. Yakisoba, Fried Noodles with vegetables ($4)
4. Okonomiyaki, a Japanese Grilled pancake full of vegetables ($8)
5. Agepan, Fried bread, served hot ($2)
6. Kushi Katsu, Japanese-style deep-fried skewer ($12)
7. Onigiri, sushi rice balls ($2)
8. Oyster Grilled with Butter ($12)
9. Tsukimi Udon, Udon with poached egg ($9)
10. Melon Pan, Sweet bread ($3)
11. Yakitori, grilled chicken skewer ($3)
12. Oden, Winter hotpot with fish cake, daikon, and boiled egg ($3)
13. Ikaiten Sushi, Sushi with cuttlefish ($5)
14. Dango, A sweet dumpling ($5)
15. Taiyaki, Fish-shaped sweet cake ($2)
16. Mochi Ice Cream, Ice cream inside a sweet rice cake ($3)
17. Nikuman, Steamed bun with meat filling ($3)
18. Castella, Japanese Sponge cake ($5)
19. Gyoza, Japanese-style fried dumplings ($5)
20. Warabimochi, Traditional Japanese sweet ($5)
Top 10 Hotels and 10 Airbnb Listings
Hotels:
1. ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Okayama (333 Takashimamachi, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-8515)
2. Hotel Ark Grand Okayama (4-4-11 Ishitsuchō, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0954)
3. Okayama Royal Hotel (6-4-20, Shimoishii, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-0045)
4. Hotel Granvia Okayama (1-5 Ekimotocho, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0024)
5. Best Western Hotel Okayama (2-1-1 Shimoishii, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0907)
6. Okayama Koraku Hotel (3-6-11 Korakuen, Okayama-shi, Okayama 703-8257)
7. Okayama Washington Hotel Plaza (2-20 Ishizeki, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0961)
8. Daiwa Roynet Hotel Okayama-Ekimae (1-1-13 Ekimaecho, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0023)
9. Hotel River Side Okayama (1-13-18 Omote-chō, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-0822)
10. Hotel Maira (10-15 Miwacho, Kita Ward, Okayama 700-0824)
Airbnb:
1. Entire Home in the Heart of Okayama (Starting from $45 per night)
2. Stylish Accommodation for Couples (Starting from $60 per night)
3. OsakaMeetsOkayama (Starting from $50 per night)
4. Zen Japanese Room with Free Breakfast (Starting from $40 per night)
5. Lovely Home with Superhost in Okayama (Starting from $65 per night)
6. KURASHIKI ENTIRE HOUSE (Starting from $90 per night)
7. Old Japanese House (Starting from $60 per night)
8. Japanese-style Room 3 min walk from the Okayama Station (Starting from $30 per night)
9. Spacious and Cozy Room near the River (Starting from $55 per night)
10. Quaint and Traditional Japanese House (Starting from $80 per night)
Top 5 Picks
1. Hotel Ark Grand Okayama (Starting from $60 per night) – The hotel offers a great ambiance with spacious rooms, excellent service, and amenities. The location is close to the city center, making it easy to explore the best of Okayama.
2. Entire Home in the Heart of Okayama (Starting from $45 per night) – This Airbnb is located in the heart of the city and offers a great budget-friendly option for travelers. The location is excellent, and the accommodation is comfortable and clean.
3. Okayama Royal Hotel (Starting from $80 per night) – The Royal Hotel offers an excellent location with a great view of the river. The rooms are spacious, and the service is top-notch, making it an excellent value for money.
4. Spacious and Cozy Room near the River (Starting from $55 per night) – This Airbnb is located near the river and offers a spacious room and an excellent ambiance. The accommodation is clean, comfortable, and the host is very welcoming.
5. Best Western Hotel Okayama (Starting from $80 per night) – The hotel offers a great location, excellent amenities, and comfortable rooms. The service is good, and the hotel is budget-friendly.
Recommendation for a 3 days trip
Day 1
1. Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
2. Kibiji Cycling Road
3. Hayashibara Museum of Art
4. Shiromachyou Market
5. Kurashiki River Walk
Where to find good food nearby:
– Try Takoyaki from the Kurashiki Yatai Mura food stalls.
– Head towards Kojima for fresh-fried tempura served in front of your eyes.
Day 2
1. Okayama Castle
2. Korakuen Garden
3. Rokkō San-chōme Station for the Cherry blossom
4. Okayama City Museum of Art
5. Mount Tsukuriyama
Where to find good food nearby:
– Tamago Kake Gohan at Tamago no Hyakuman Dan, Okayama Station
– Have lunch or dinner at Maimon Sushi in Okayama, Sample the best sushi at reasonable prices.
Day 3
1. Bizen Osafune Sword Museum
2. Manekineko Okayama Store
3. Okayama Symphonic Hall
4. Omote-cho Shopping Arcade
5. Momotaro-no-Oka
Where to find good food nearby:
– Experience the traditional local cuisine at Momotaro Dannoura, located in the nearby port city of Ushimado.
– Enjoy the several green tea cafe in the Omote-cho shopping arcade.
Okayama is one of Japan’s peaceful cities where you can experience a great ambiance and calmness. With the scenic landscapes, unique historic landmarks, and excellent food, the city offers a great and affordable vacation experience. Overall, I would rate it an 8.5 out of 10.
[ad_2]