Okayama – Korakuen garden, castle and heritage

As capital of Okayama Prefecture, the city of Okayama became a major regional power under the rule of the feudal military regime in the 17th and 18th centuries. The impressive castle of Okayama, also known as the crow’s castle because of its black colour, is ideally located on the banks of the Asahi River. In the immediate vicinity is the picturesque Korakuen Garden, probably the most beautiful attraction in the city and at the same time one of the most famous gardens in Japan.

Black castle of Okayama

The castle of Okayama is known as U-jo (the crow’s castle). It is, with the castle of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture, one of Japan’s few black castles.

The original building was founded in 1573 by feudal lord Ukita Naoie and completed by his son Hideie in 1597. Allied with the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Hideie found himself on the side of the losers in the decisive battle of Sekigahara in 1600. His lands and castle were taken by the Ikeda clan, supporters of the victorious Tokugawa. After restoration Meiji of 1868, the moat was filled and the castle walls were destroyed.

The castle of Okayama was unfortunately almost completely destroyed by the allied bombings during the Second World War and only the tsukima-yagura (moon watching tower) survived. The castle of Okayama was rebuilt in 1966 but with a modern ferro-beton hull and elevators.

The entrance to the castle is from Tsukimi-bashi (moon observation bridge). The castle of Okayama presents exhibitions on the Ikeda regime of the castle and you can also admire the tsukimi yagura, “turn where the moon can be seen”, the only original building remained intact.

Korakuen

The Korakuen Garden in Okama is a beautiful Japanese landscaped garden. It is considered one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. The others are the Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa and the Kairakuen Garden in Mito. The Korakuen Garden was built between 1687 and 1700. The name “koraku-en” is derived from a Chinese proverb and means “the garden to enjoy itself later”.

The Korakuen Garden was designed in Kaiyu style (scenic promenade), where the gardens are arranged around a large pond. This style offers visitors a new view at every turn of the road that connects the vast lawns, ponds, hills, tea salons and streams. It is famous for its flat lawn (rare in Japan), ponds, streams, pines, tea houses, tea plantations and rice fields. You can also find plum, cherry and maple forests.

Korakuen Garden is located right next to Okayama Castle. The combined ticket Okama-jo and Korakuen is 260 yen.

Museum of the East

The Okayama East Museum was built on the occasion of the donation of 1,947 works of art from the Middle East to the city of Okayama by the Okama Gakuen Education Foundation. Today, the collection (collected by Shinjiro Yasuhara) contains various objects that are essential to understanding the culture and history of the East.

Apart from the permanent exhibition, “Orient, the origin of beauty” (including more than 5,000 pieces are currently stored and exposed), there may be temporary exhibitions.

The entrance is 300 yen and is ideal for lovers of history and art.

Prefectural Museum of Art

This museum, opened in 1988, has a collection of about 2000 pieces linked to the Okayama prefecture. In addition to a permanent collection of calligraphic works and Japanese paintings, the museum also offers temporary exhibitions.

The entrance ticket is 350 yen.

Kibitsu jinja

Kibitsujinja occupies a unique place in the Okama region: an ancient sanctuary, deeply linked to the legend of Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto and one of Japan’s most fascinating rituals, the Narukama.

Legend of momotaro

Momotaro is the eponymous personage of a legend whose origin would be in Okama. Momotaro is formed from the name Taro, running in Asia and momo which means fishing making him “the child of fishing”. According to legend, Momotaro is a boy who was born in a fishing trip down a river. As he grew up and became lazy, a contest of circumstances made him leave the parents who had gathered him to fight demons. On the way, Momotaro meets a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant with whom he becomes friends. They will defeat the demons and their leader, Ura. He will return to his relatives with his friends and the treasure of demons.

In August there is the festival of Momotaro during which festivalgoers dance in the city the Uraja Odori, disguised as oni (demon).

Culinary specialties

Chiya beef, chiyagyu, is a meat to taste in Okama. Calledghost wagyu, from the black oxen of the oldest species, it is remarkable for its mellow and marbled texture and colour. It is most often cooked in sukimono (Japanese fondue). It is considered the original wagyu.

Barazushi is a kind of sushi with lots of mixed vegetables. Bara means “dispersed”, describing here vegetables mixed in sushi rice. It is also called Gomokuzushi (plant sushi). It is most often prepared at home but you can easily order it at the restaurant.

Getting to Okama

The city of Okayama is easily accessible from most major cities in Kansai or Kanto.

SinceTokyoWe’ll have to count 3H09 in Shinkansen.
Since Kyoto, 1 hour in Shinkansen.
From Hiroshima, about 35 minutes in shinkansen.
From Fukuoka, about 1H30 in shinkansen.

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Okayama is a city or a good day of visit enough to make the essential (the black castle and the korakuen). It will be a great stop in the visit to Chugoku, especially to visit nearby cities like Kurashiki or Takahashi.