Okayama

Okayama is a welcoming mid-sized city on the San'yo Shinkansen line, forever linked with the beloved folk tale of Momotaro, the peach boy who emerged from a giant fruit to defeat a band of ogres. The legend permeates the city, from statues at the station to local mascots. The city's crown jewel is Korakuen, ranked among Japan's three finest landscape gardens. Visitors can stroll through meticulously maintained lawns, plum groves, and working tea fields, all set against the dramatic black silhouette of Okayama Castle rising across the Asahi River. The castle itself houses a museum and observation deck with panoramic city views. Okayama has also become one of the best bases for reaching the art islands of Naoshima, Teshima, and Inujima in the Seto Inland Sea, known worldwide for their contemporary art museums and installations. Blessed with a mild, sunny climate that has earned it the nickname "Land of Sunshine," the city offers excellent transport connections and makes a pleasant destination year-round.