Okayama (Japanese: 岡山市 Okayama-shi) is a major transit hub for western Japan. But with white peaches, a brooding black castle, and the famous garden of Kōrakuen, there are plenty of reasons to catch a later train and get out of the station to explore.
Among the attractions of Okayama, only Kōrakuen is widely known. Many travelers only pass through on the Shinkansen as they travel between Kansai and Hiroshima without giving Okayama any thought. But one key unlocks the city's unique charm: Momotarō, the Peach Boy. According to the Japanese fairytale, an old, childless couple found a peach floating down the river, and inside they found a baby boy. They duly adopted him and named him Momotarō (桃太郎), or (quite literally) "Peach Boy".
Fares for public transport can either be paid in cash or by using an IC card. All major Japanese IC cards including Pasmo, Suica and Icoca are accepted. There is also a local Hareca Card that gives a generous 2% bonus when topped up, but it cannot be used anywhere outside Okayama and is thus not a great option for visitors. If paying cash, board trams and buses at the rear, take a boarding ticket, and pay your fare at the front when you disembark. The driver will not give change, but there is a machine on the tram that will change coins. Prepaid bus cards can also be used on the trams. Two convenient tram lines of Okayama Denki Kido run from the east side of JR Okayama Station.
Statues of Momotaro are a popular Okayama photo-op. Arriving by train, you'll see your first at the east exit of JR Okayama Station, but there are Momotaro motifs all over the city - there is a Momotaro mailbox at the east exit of the station, and even manholes often feature the Peach Boy. You will also find individual statues of his travel companions the dog, monkey, and pheasant aligning both sides of Momotaro-odori.
Cycle the Kibi Plain. The Kibiji District (吉備路), a 15-km trail extending from Okayama to Soja, is a scenic cycling path, voted as one of the top 100 cycling paths in the nation. There is no need to bring your own bike, because you can rent your bike upon arrival. Bike rentals are available near Okayama Station (lower daily cost, however this adds a few extra kilometers you must bike to the start), as well as adjacent to JR station Bizen Ichinomiya (upon exiting the station, the rental area is directly to the right). To reach Bizen-Ichinomiya from Okayama Station, transfer to the 'Local lines' section.
Kibi dango (吉備団子) are sweet millet-flour dumplings. According to the legend, Momotaro gave his companions kibi dango, and they helped him defeat the demons. Whether or not you'll like kibi dango enough to run off and fight demons will vary by personal taste, but they certainly are a tasty treat. The name is a bit of a pun too, as kibi means both "millet" and the ancient kingdom of Kibi, which covered a large area of present-day Okayama prefecture. Not surprisingly, going along with the "peach boy" theme, one of the famous fruits grown in and around Okayama is the white peach (白桃 hakutō).
There are hundreds of bars and izakaya in the central area. The biggest concentration is likely 50-100 m east from the station, starting from one street to the right (south) of Momotaro Dori (the main street where the Street Car runs). Along the nearby Nishigawa Canal, there is a nice vibe at night. There are a few microbreweries in Okayama (e.g. Doteshita, Doppo) and also some local sakes. 1 Bar Bacchas, 1F Kawada Biru 4-15 Togiya-cho (Between Yanagawa and Yubinkyokumae tram stops), ☏ +81 86-225-8818. M-Th 5PM-midnight, F Sa 5PM-3AM. A popular highball and wine bar. Their own BB (Bar Bacchas) highball costs ¥399. They also serve spicy chicken and a variety of other foods.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, Okayama typically sees ~35°C daytime highs and 13 rainy days.
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