  Things to See
Korakuen Garden (Okayama)
This is famed as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Started in 1686 for the Lord Tsunamasa Ikeda (SEE STORY 1), the daimyo of the region, it took 14 years to complete. Some unusual features of this strolling garden are its location on an island (in the Asahi River), its grassy expanses, and the fact that crops of rice are grown and an active tea plantation is on its grounds, along with scattered tea houses at which visitors can refresh themselves.
Kurashiki
This old rice transshipping town (SEE STORY 2) is famous for its Bikan Historical Area, a short length of canal lined with weeping willows and wonderful old storehouses, now housing museums and other cultural enticements. The classic-pillared Ohara Museum of Art is known as Japan's first Western art museum and for its outstanding collection of European masters.
Imbe
This town is where Bizen ware is made (Bizen is a the old name for this region). Bizen ware, unglazed and fired until almost vitreous, is said to be in the tradition of Sue ware, which came from Korea some 1300 years ago. It is known for its various serendipitous kiln effects and is one of Japan's renowned ceramic traditions, favored by centuries of tea ceremony masters.
Seto Ohashi Bridge
From the Lookout on Washuzan (Kurashiki City), one commands a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea and the magnificent Seto Ohashi Bridge, Which connects the major islands of Honshu and Shikoku. The bridge is actually six bridges, which jump from islet to islet, each bridge displaying a different type of construction. The entire complex supports both highway and railroad. Like San Francisco's Golden Gate, traversing the bridge itself is a memorable experience, whether you do it by train or by car.
The Kibi Road
The Kibi area, lying between Okayama and Soja cities, has a venerable history and was an important seat of culture from at least the 5th century. This area has numerous tumuli, of which the keyhole-shaped Tsukuriyama Tumulus is the fourth largest of its kind in the nation. Numerous temples and shrines and historical buildings dot this area.
Mountain Areas
The northern part of the prefecture lies along the mountain spine of western Honshu. Here are peaks and gorges, plateaus, limestone caves, waterfalls, and other natural features. There are also towns and villages that have preserved the architecture of the past, such as Tsuyama, Fukiya Village, Ishibiya Village, Enjo Village, and Koshihata Village. The donjon of Bitchu Matsuma Castle is the original 17th century structure.
 Crafts
Bizen Ware (Imbe Town)
This world famous, unglazed art ware is Okayama Prefecture's most renowned craft product.
Katsuyama Bamboo Crafts
Originally just everyday kitchen baskets and strainers, the high quality of Katsuyama bamboo weaving has elevated these functional forms into art objects.
Bitchu Handmade Paper
A papermaking tradition of great antiquity in the Bitchu area of western Okayama Prefecture.
Igusa Reed Wares (Kurashiki)
Okayama Prefecture is a major producer of the reeds (igusa) used to make the facing of tatami mat flooring. The strong igusa is used to produce a range of products in this local craft.
 Festivals
Okayama is a land of autumn festivals.
| Feb., 3rd Sat. | Saidai-ji Eyo (Okayama)
Though this is a Buddhist rite, it includes a "naked festival," in which thousands of bare male bodies clad in white loincloths rush about in a sacred melee at the coldest time of the year. |
| late Mar. | Kuroshiki Music Festival (Kurashiki)
This historical town comes alive with concerts and street performances. |
| Apr. 23rd | Okayama Momotaro Festival (Okayama)
A gala festival with parades celebrating Momotaro, the boy hero of a beloved Japanese legend. |
| early May | Heartland Kurashiki Festival (Kurashiki)
A new event featuring street processions and concerts. |
| Jul. 31 | Miyauchi Dance Festival (Okayama)
A street procession dance festival dating back 250 years, now designated a prefectural Important Cultural Asset. |
| Aug. 13-15 | Obon
There are numerous Bon Festival (Japanese All Souls) dances throughout the prefecture, among which some notable ones are: Omiya Bon Dance (Maniwa County), Bitchu Matsuyama Bon Dance (Takahashi), Shiraishi Bon Dance (Shiraishi Island) |
| Oct., 1st Sat. | Tojin Festival (Katsuta Town)
An unusual and vigorous observance involving a selected Sacred Person who is carried and supported on the backs of parishioners and visitors alike. |
| Oct. 20 | Kamo Taisai Festival (Kamogawa Town)
This 900-year-old festival involves a competition between eight teams carrying portable shrines. |
| Oct., 4th Sun. | Karako Dance Festival (Ushimado)
This celebrates the periodic appearance of Korean envoys during the Edo period (1603-1868), who landed in Okayama and traveled on to the shogun's capital at Edo. Children in Korean period costumes dance. |
| Oct. | Bitchu Kagura (various sites and days in Oct.)
Sacred dance/dramas (kagura) performed at Shinto shrines have reached a high degree of development in the western part of Okayama Prefecture (the Bitchu region). Local shrines have their own styles and variations of kagura, and they are often performed as part of a long ritual lasting 24 hours or more. |
| Nov., 2nd Sun. | Yakage Shukuba Festival (Yakage Town)
A feudal lord's procession wends the streets of this town. |
| Dec., 2nd weekend | Ohitaki Fire Festival
A truly ancient observance dating back to the 7th or 8th century. Tablets are burned in a rite to pray for the health of an emperor of those early times. |
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