Discover the best travel guides, tips, and experiences for Okayama
GiGO is launching "GiGO FANDOM SQUARE," a new experience-based entertainment space for fans. The first location opens on November 20, 2026 on the 6th floor of AEON Mall Okayama, with goods shops, a collab cafe stand, and more, and will expand to major sites nationwide.
Kyukamura Hiruzen Kogen in Maniwa, Okayama is selling a Mountain Climbing Support Stay Plan with trailhead transfers, a packed lunch and a hot spring bath as autumn colors move from the mountains to the flatlands through mid-November.
Wake Ugaidani Onsen (和気鵜飼谷温泉), a town-run hot spring facility in Wake, Okayama, is celebrating its 31st anniversary. The Miakashi (燈明-みあかし-) light-up begins on November 1, alongside a new three-type nabe plan and a special offer for the third guest in a room.
Sake Lees Madeleine Marukasu (酒粕マドレーヌ まる粕), a new JR PREMIUM SELECT SETOUCHI souvenir made with sake lees from an Okayama brewery, goes on sale on October 30, 2026 at Omiyage Kaido shops in Okayama, Kurashiki, Fukuyama and Onomichi and at online shops, from ¥297 tax included.
From October 21, 2026, customers who buy a Coffee Spark Cola or Bitter Orange at participating Sarutahiko Coffee stores receive one of six original stickers drawn by artist Yu Nagaba, and the Harajuku Station store adds a photo spot.
Yamada Bee Farm Bunbun Factory Okayama City South Village Store, open in a pre-opening phase since August 8, 2026, holds its grand opening on October 29 with a sales floor eight times larger, an expanded honey café menu, a bee photo spot, and a beekeeping exhibit.
Hotel Granvia Okayama in Okayama City holds its Year-End and New Year Gochiso Buffet from December 29, 2026 to January 1, 2027, with all-you-can-eat crab, steak and sushi, dishes made with local Okayama ingredients, and an optional all-you-can-drink alcohol add-on, from ¥10,000 for adults.
Naoshima New Museum of Art will open its winter rotation on December 12, 2026 with "Currents without Anchors," a joint exhibition by Kei Imazu and Bagus Pandega. The museum is closed from November 24 to the opening, and online tickets for December 12 onward go on sale October 9.
A seven-seat neighborhood tavern called mae opens on October 14, 2026 in Okayama City's Izushicho, across from the small hotel C&C, with an interior designed by a Taiwan-based architecture studio.
For stays from April 1, 2027, guests at Benesse House on Naoshima will be able to enter eligible art facilities on the island without buying tickets or booking online in advance. The eligible facilities and details will be announced around January 2027.
From October 1 to December 18, 2026, Hotel Granvia Okayama takes reservations for three Christmas sweets at its 1st-floor Lobby Lounge Lumière, led by the limited-edition Premium Fraise de Noël shortcake. Pickup runs from December 1 to 25.
A whole-house rental inn named "Sumu" opened on October 1, 2026 on Naoshima, Kagawa, in a renovated 50-year-old house. It sleeps up to 15 guests, has a hinoki sauna and a tea room, and stays begin on October 8.
In Tamano, Okayama, whole-house rental kominka retreat "The Nature Uno" has welcomed guests from eight countries in the roughly five months since its May 2026 opening, pairing a "do-nothing" retreat with easy access to the art islands of Naoshima and Teshima.
As nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), a prized San'in autumn delicacy often compared to fatty tuna, nears peak season, Kyukamura Hiruzen Kogen begins selling a limited-time autumn stay plan on September 1 pairing its evening buffet with a seared nodoguro rice bowl, fish bone soup, and a complimentary salt-grilled nodoguro plate for adult guests.
This autumn, Okayama International Hotel presents a moon-viewing lantern art display in its lobby, seasonal café and course menus themed around the moon, and special suite-stay plans designed for enjoying the season's long evenings.
WASHU BLUE RESORT KASAGO in Kurashiki, Okayama, is hosting an autumn dining event this fall, featuring 10 kinds of freshly fried bites at its buffet restaurant, including a new sweet potato and dill dish and deep-fried Shine Muscat grapes.
On September 12, 2026, Achiterasu Kurashiki will host "MERCADO RICO CRAFT BEER," a craft beer event organized by Tamashima Shinkin Bank featuring beers from Kurashiki and other regions, a student-made beer from Okayama Prefectural University, food and sweets stalls, and a display of 5kg and 10kg "muscle mugs."
Mitsui Garden Hotel Okayama reopens on Sunday, August 9, 2026, after a full renovation that adds 43 more three-person rooms, redesigns the large communal bath and restaurant, and brings in artwork from Okayama-based artists throughout the property.
POLEPOLE, which runs cave exploration tours in Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, has launched "NIIMI ORIGIN," an inbound-focused Japanese culture experience brand connecting overseas travelers with the region's shrine traditions, soba making, sake brewing, and other culture passed down by local people.
The capsule toy specialty store gashacoco is opening its 36th franchise location at Well Played Happy's Saidaiji Mall in Okayama on July 31, 2026 — the brand's first franchise location in Okayama Prefecture and its first collaboration with Amusement Taka Co.
From July 1 to August 31, 2026, ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama's Casual Dining Urbano serves the seasonal twin parfait "Midsummer," combining Funao's Muscat of Alexandria grapes with Soja's white peaches, with extended hours through July 31.
A limited-time story-style aquarium, "Kurashiki Goldfish Museum — Night Parade of a Hundred Yokai Goldfish," opens July 17 at Aeon Mall Kurashiki in Okayama, taking visitors through six themed spaces populated by about 40 species and 1,000 goldfish across a single night from midnight to dawn.
Animal photographer Mitsuaki Iwago's photo exhibition "LOCAL HERO OF JAPANESE CATS" comes to the Okayama and Shikoku area for the first time at Mori no Machi Grace, running from July 24 to August 30, 2026. Advance tickets discounted ¥200 go on sale July 7, and Iwago himself will host a gallery talk and autograph session on August 8.
From July 4 to September 27, 2026, the Bizen City Museum of Art in Okayama presents "Teacup Merry-Go-Round," a display of around 100 pieces of European tea ware and decorative art that traces a century of modern design, complete with a Wedgwood-inspired café menu and a limited-time coaster gift.
From July 4, Kyukamura Hiruzen Kogen in Maniwa, Okayama, is offering a summer-only stay plan featuring a blueberry-picking experience at a nearby farm and a dinner buffet with all-you-can-eat Hiruzen Jersey beef steak and cheese fondue.
The Musaokubo Sunflower Field in Okayama City is approaching peak bloom, and young local farmers are organizing a two-day community event on July 25 and 26, 2026. The field is a five-minute walk from Makiyama Station and was established after the 2018 West Japan flood disaster to revive farmland and the surrounding community.
From July 1 to August 31, 2026, the 19th-floor Dining & Bar "Applause" at Hotel Granvia Okayama hosts a summer beer hall featuring sub-zero draft beer, Islay whisky, and a chef-prepared course menu including ribeye steak.
Hotel Granvia Okayama launches a summer family stay plan where parents and children can try making kakushi-zushi, a traditional Okayama dish with Edo-period roots.
Animate is launching its second wave of Japanese-localized Love and Deepspace merchandise on June 20, 2026, alongside a nationwide fair, Gratte collaboration, and special in-store displays.
Setouchi City in Okayama Prefecture will light up three local landmarks in UNHCR blue to mark World Refugee Day on June 20, symbolizing solidarity with refugees and raising awareness of their plight.
A contemporary Japanese sword crafted for a promotional event in Paris is now on display at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum in Setouchi City, Okayama, from June 19 through July 20, 2026.
The lobby lounge "Lumière" at Hotel Granvia Okayama is offering a summer lineup of cool treats made with locally grown Okayama white peaches, including a white peach parfait, three varieties of shaved ice, and a white peach lemon soda.
Starting July 1, 2026, Hotel Granvia Okayama's 19th-floor restaurant Applause is hosting a 90-minute all-you-can-eat Sky View Lunch Buffet featuring live kitchen steak, unlimited sushi, locally sourced Okayama ingredients, and an interactive dessert corner.
The Mexican goods brand Letra is hosting pop-up shops at 17 locations nationwide in June 2026, bringing the vibrant colors and handcrafted warmth of Mexico directly to fans across Japan.
From June 1 to early July 2026, Kyukamura Hiruzen Kogen in Maniwa, Okayama offers a free, guests-only firefly watching tour by hotel shuttle, paired with a Hiruzen Jersey beef dinner buffet.
Starting June 6, 2026, the Oshi no Ko × GiGO Campaign 2026 kicks off at select GiGO locations across Japan, with limited-edition merchandise, crane game prizes, and a food and drink campaign running through mid-July.
A new yogurt specialty shop using locally sourced Hiruzen Jersey milk has opened in the hot spring town of Yubara Onsen in Maniwa City, Okayama — Japan's top Jersey milk producing region.
Starting May 19, Café Kitsuné rolls out a seasonal lineup of fruity drinks and new sweets across its Japan locations, with some items exclusive to specific stores.
A three-day event featuring pottery by local Okayama artists — including Bizen ware — along with sweets tastings and gift wrapping will be held at Sunste Okayama from June 5 to 7, 2026.
From May 7 to June 30, 2026, the 19th-floor Dining & Bar "Applause" at Hotel Granvia Okayama is offering a dinner plan where guests choose between a hearty BBQ meat platter or an indulgent sweets plate, with a mini buffet and drink bar included in both options.
A special exhibition drawn from the Gifu Prefectural Museum of Modern Ceramic Art's collection opens at Bizen City Museum of Art on July 4, 2026, featuring masterpieces of European teaware, coffeeware, and decorative ceramics from Meissen, Sèvres, Royal Copenhagen, Arabia, and more.
Princess Park Kurashiki (PPK), the reimagined Yumiko Igarashi Museum in Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter, has introduced a reservation-only rooftop "Night Princess Plan" from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and an expanded "Longevity Celebration Plan" celebrating kanreki, koki, kiju, sanju, and beiju milestones with milestone-color dresses and afternoon tea.
The Ohara Museum of Art in Kurashiki, Okayama, is set to reopen on April 25 after a temporary closure for facility renovation. The reopening brings two new exhibitions to the museum's main building.
Kyukamura Hiruzen Kogen, a highland resort in Daisen-Oki National Park, is offering a free guided outing to cherry blossom spots — including the historic Gaisen Sakura in Shinjo Village and the Kayabe Shrine cherry blossom avenue — for hotel guests starting April 1.
Korean Dining Yaomi, a new Korean restaurant concept developed for Korean cuisine lovers, opens its first location in the underground Okayama Ichibangai shopping area directly connected to JR Okayama Station.
Starting February 26, 2026, DEAN & DELUCA Okayama is serving two limited-time seasonal flower teas – the exotic Persian Love Tea inspired by a traditional Persian confection, and a Lavender Earl Grey Tea Latte with honey and cheese cream.
Seven JR West Hotels across Japan are serving special strawberry sweets this spring, featuring fresh strawberry tastings, award-winning patissier-supervised buffets, and local strawberry specialties from February through May 2026.
Hotel Granvia Okayama's popular Strawberry Buffet is back for spring 2026, now featuring an expanded selection of strawberry-themed sweets and savory dishes. Enjoy stunning views from the 19th floor while indulging in 15 varieties of strawberry desserts.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Okayama will reopen on August 9, 2026, after a complete renovation featuring redesigned guest rooms, expanded family accommodations, and a refreshed large communal bath inspired by Okayama's natural beauty.
Yamagata Eijudo, Okayama's specialty kibidango maker, releases a seasonal Hinamatsuri-themed premium package featuring traditional kibidango and origami hina dolls. Available from February 5, 2026.
Mori no Machi Grace in Okayama hosts a special Setsubun festival on February 1, 2026, featuring traditional Chayamachi Oni-Daiko performances, candy throwing events for children, and a Fagiano Okayama pop-up shop with exclusive merchandise.
Starting January 20, 2026, Godiva introduces new soft serve ice cream featuring delicate chocolate petal toppings at select Valentine's Day pop-up locations across Japan.
Sun Hoseki and GiGO Entertainment have teamed up to open Hoppe-chan★Cafe at GiGO Collaboration Cafes nationwide. The limited-time cafe features Instagram-worthy original menus, exclusive merchandise, and special perks for fans from January 24 to February 15, 2026.
Okayama's Onbara Kogen Ski Resort will host a new winter event featuring a snow battle tournament, snowman building contest, and local food stalls on February 8, 2026.
From January 15 to February 27, 2026, Hotel Granvia Okayama presents an exclusive strawberry-themed afternoon tea on the 19th floor, featuring fresh Okayama strawberries, elegant savories, and 13 exquisite desserts
DEAN & DELUCA Okayama introduces limited-time winter seasonal drinks perfect for the busy year-end and New Year period. The "Celebratory Shiruko" series features a new black sesame flavor alongside classic matcha, plus the returning winter favorite "Yuzu Ginger Apple."
We held an exclusive 274ch. members-only autumn bus tour visiting the sword exhibition and filming locations from Okayama Funanomix. Join Funassyi, the unofficial local character from Funabashi City, Chiba, as we explore Okayama's history, culture, food, and sword love!
A new traditional accommodation 'HAKUHA' is set to open in Kurashiki's famous Bikan Historic Quarter on September 12, 2025. This exclusive whole-house rental facility can accommodate up to 8 guests and offers a unique blend of historical architecture with modern amenities.
Summary This time I went bar hopping in Okayama and enjoyed local sake and food of Okayama! There are many izakaya near Okayama Station. Okayama prefecture is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and stunning natural scenery. Famous for producing high-quality fruits like peaches and grapes, it’s a perfect spot for sightseeing. Enjoy an […]
Summary This time we visited Kasaoka and Kitagishima for one night and two days. This is the plan for the second day.Explore Kitagishima by renting a bicycle.Blessed with warm people, I felt sentimental when I left the island✨I definitely want to go back! In addition, we had a great time visiting a recommended confectionery store […]
Summary This time we visited Kasaoka and Kitagishima for one night and two days. Here is the plan for the first day.Take a sightseeing train with a very nice design from Okayama Station and get off at Kasaoka Station, where the train stops for a limited time only. After filling our stomachs with popular local […]
Summary This time, I rode my bicycle around Hiruzen in a circle.It felt really good to pedal my bicycle and run through nature while feeling it with my whole body, The smell of grass, soil, and flowers, the gushing cold springs, the vast greenery, and the animals… I was once again reminded how wonderful and […]
Summary In this issue, I will introduce illuminations in Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi in a relay format.It is recommended to visit nearby spots or tour all of them! Please refer to the illumination only during the winter season! *Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change. Travel Itinerary Okayama Station（岡山駅） In this […]
Summary This time, we rented a car and enjoyed a road trip.There were so many places I wanted to visit that I didn’t get around to all of them, so I want to revisit them again.I recommend Okutsu Onsen! Please refer to this page! *Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change. […]
Summary I used a round-trip pass to eat all the gourmet food in Okayama in three days and two nights. Starting with kakioko (Okonomiyaki with oysters), Okayama is home to many exquisite local delicacies such as horumon udon and Kasaoka ramen! The “Round Trip Pass” is a convenient and too-beneficial ticket that allows you to […]
Summary I used a round-trip pass to eat all the gourmet food in Okayama in three days and two nights. Starting with kakioko (Okonomiyaki with oysters), Okayama is home to many exquisite local delicacies such as horumon udon and Kasaoka ramen! The “Round Trip Pass” is a convenient and too-beneficial ticket that allows you to […]
Summary This time, we went to Bingo-ochiai Station, an unexplored station in Hiroshima.The station is unmanned, with only one train every 1,2 hours and no station staff, and is tucked away deep in the mountains. It was a nice, quiet station with a sense of history, secretly popular among railroad enthusiasts. I was very satisfied […]
Summary This time, we will be ladling out extremely spicy ramen in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.Kurashiki has a strong image of the Bikan Historical Quarter with its wonderful scenery, There are also restaurants where you can enjoy extremely spicy ramen! Please refer to this page! *Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change. […]
Summary This time, we went to Omotecho Shopping Street, a 6-minute bus ride from Okayama Station.We enjoyed both Japanese and Chinese food, and it was a very enjoyable barhopping experience! Please take a look at it to help you choose a restaurant. *Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change. Travel Itinerary […]
Summary This time, we had a “Hashigo-zake (Izakaya Hopping)” in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, a sunny place facing the Seto Inland Sea. Unlike the Bikan Historical Quarter, there are three stores in the shopping district with a lively atmosphere where locals gather.All of the restaurants were warm enough for tourists to feel at home. Please take […]
Summary This time, we boarded the “SAKUBI-SAKURA” train to Tsuyama in Okayama Prefecture to see cherry blossoms in full bloom.The cherry blossoms had fallen a little, but… the illuminated Tsuyama Castle, the delicious food, and the warm-hearted people of Tsuyama made me want to go back! It was an enjoyable trip that made me want […]
Summary This time, we will introduce our weekend trip to the islands of Kagawa, Day 1 and Day 2.This 3-day/2-night plan leaves Tokyo on Friday night after work or school and spends Saturday and Sunday touring the island. I had an image of islands as being very far away, but it’s much easier than you […]
Summary Introducing the third day of a weekend trip to the islands of Kagawa.Plan to leave Tokyo on Friday night after work or school and tour the island on Saturday and Sunday.I had an image of islands as being very far away, but it is surprisingly easy to get there! On the last day, we […]
Summary Sanagi Island in the Seto Inland Sea is also known as Cat Island and is famous for its many cats.This time, the boat trip started in the evening, so we were able to see the sunset just from the boat.The Neconoshima Hostel where we stayed was a unique room with a school motif, and […]
Table of Contents Summary Okayama Prefecture is a fruit kingdom. This time, we took a bus for a relaxing half-day trip to pick white peaches, which were just in season.In addition to the freshly picked peaches, the white peach parfait we had at a cafe near the station at the end of the tour was […]
Summary Nicknamed “Okayama, Land of Sunshine,” Okayama Prefecture is known by its residents for its mild climate and low precipitation. Kojima, which we visited this time, is a small town located in the southern part of Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. We will introduce sightseeing in Kojima where you can enjoy mountains, ocean, gourmet food, and […]
Summary Nicknamed “Okayama, Land of Sunshine,” Okayama Prefecture is known by its residents for its mild climate and low precipitation. This time, we will take a 2-day/1-night road trip to the mountain side of Okayama Prefecture.We were blessed with fine weather, ate a lot of delicious food, went to a hot spring, and had a […]
Table of Contents Summary Nicknamed “Okayama, Land of Sunshine,” Okayama Prefecture is known by its residents for its mild climate and low precipitation. Kojima, which we visited this time, is a small town located in the southern part of Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. From Kojima Station, rent a car and drive to various spots for […]
Table of Contents Summary Okayama Prefecture is nicknamed the “Land of Sunshine, Okayama,” and is known for its mild climate and low precipitation.Kurashiki is a typical sightseeing spot in Okayama, but I actually recommend Ushimado as well ✨It is said to be the Aegean Sea of Japan, with spectacular spots such as “Kuroshima Venus Road” […]
Table of Contents Summary Okayama Prefecture, nicknamed the “Land of Sunshine, Okayama,” is known by its residents for its mild climate and low precipitation.This time, I went alone to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which is a famous sightseeing spot and especially popular among tourists. I knew it would always be really nice✨You will definitely […]
Table of Contents Summary Okayama Prefecture, nicknamed the “Land of Sunshine, Okayama,” is known by its residents for its mild climate and low precipitation.This time, we are going on a one-day excursion to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, one of the most popular and well-known sightseeing spots. Known as a castle town, transportation hub, and […]
Table of Contents Summary Okayama Prefecture, nicknamed “sunny Okayama” by its residents, is characterized by its mild climate and low precipitation.This time, we will take you on a one-day trip to four such castles in Okayama Prefecture, where you can also enjoy gourmet food.The castle is recommended as a fun place to walk or hike […]
Table of Contents Summary The Seto Inland Sea is the largest inland sea in Japan, surrounded by Honshu and Shikoku, and dotted with approximately 700 islands of various sizes. These islands are easily accessible by ferry or passenger boat, and are visited by many tourists from Japan and abroad. This time, we visited Naoshima and […]
Summary Kasaoka Islands in Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, form a cluster of 31 islands in the Seto Inland Sea. This time, I visited two of them: Manabe-shima Island and Shiraishi-jima Island, alone! I was blessed with the weather that only the Seto Inland Sea can offer, and the sound of the waves soothed me throughout […]
Summary This time we rented a car and drove around Kasaoka and Fukuyama 🚗✨. Stylish cafes, grocery stores, and a night at a special inn 🥰. We ate delicious food and visited many fashionable spots 👭💖. *Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change. Travel Itinerary 10:30am Fukuyama Station（福山駅） We start from […]