2 In Asia/ Travel

Okayama, Japan Through 17 Beautiful Photos

Okayama, Japan. You probably haven’t heard of it. In short, it’s a less-traveled Japanese prefecture in southern Honshu about four hours by bullet train from Tokyo.

Over a couple days of travel, I noticed that it’s already perfectly popular with Japanese travelers. But travel there yourself and you’ll hardly see a westerner in sight. Yet it has some of the most stunning sights and incredible opportunities to embrace the historic Japanese culture we all have an image of in our mind.

I put this piece together while still traveling in Japan. So rest assured there will be more. Meantime, allow these 17 photos across Okayama to wet your palette for something you might not have been thinking of when dreaming of or actually planning to travel to Japan.

Okayama Castle View Japan

Okayama Castle stands in the background of the park gardens.

Tea Room Okayama Castle Japan

The tea room at Okayama Castle.

Stepping Stones Okayama Castle Japan

Stepping stones across a small pond.

A Japanese Wooden Bridge at Okayama Castle

A Japanese-style wooden bridge.

Shrine Outside Okayama Castle Japan

This shrine stands just outside Okayama Castle.

Lunch at Arate Saryo Okayama Japan

The first of many delicious small plates at Arate Saryo.

Samurai Sword Making in Okayama, Japan

Samurai sword making with the experts.

Sword at the Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum

A closer look at a real katana blade at the Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum.

Outside the Old Shizutani School in Okayama Japan

Outside the Old Shizutani School in Okayama.

Old Shizutani School entrance in Okayama Japan

The entrance of the Old Shizutani School.

Sensei at the Old Shizutani School Okayama Japan

Guide and sensei at the Old Shizutani School.

Japanese Foot Bath Okayama

Taking a 10-minute Japanese foot bath.

Japanese Vegetables in Okayama

Heating up some veggies.

Japanese Giant Hornet Tempura

Japanese Giant Hornet tempura.

See more photos of Japan.

Disclaimer: I traveled to Okayama as a guest of Visit Japan. As always, all opinions are my own.

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  • Lauren
    November 20, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    Stunning photos! Okayama looks like a fairytale dream.

    • Joe
      November 30, 2015 at 9:08 am

      Thanks! It certainly did not suck.