How to go from Kyoto to Okayama ?
@kit ko, unsplash
A little more than one hour with a shinkansen
Okayama is the largest city in the Chugoku Region after Hiroshima and an important transportation hub. Korakuen, a spacious landscape garden, is the city’s star attraction.
Access to Okayama and its beautiful garden
Okayama is the largest city in the Chugoku Region after Hiroshima. The city is an important transportation hub, being the location where the Sanyo Shinkansen meets with the only rail connection to Shikoku. Please note that JRP holders cannot take the Nozomi.
0 KM - Kyoto Station
39 KM - 0H14 - Shin-Osaka Station
It is Osaka City’s Shinkansen station. Shin-Osaka Station is one station away from Osaka Station.
75 KM - 0H28 - Shin-Kobe Station
Kobe’s shinkansen station is a good spot to watch the bullet trains speeding along, since the services that don’t stop shoot straight past along the platform edge. A popular ropeway departs just next to the station. As it ascends, it passes by the Nunobiki Waterfall and the Nunobiki Herb Garden, giving a nice aerial view of both. The highlight of the ride lies in the observation deck located just beside the top station, which offers spectacular views of Kobe and is a popular night view spot. A further 20-minute scale up the mountain takes you to the middle station of Shin-Kobe Ropeway and the lower entrance of Nunobiki Herb Garden. This is one of Japan’s largest herb gardens with hundreds of herb species and seasonal flowers.
130 KM - 0H54 - Himeji Station
Look on the right as the train reaches the station to see Himeji’s magnificent Castle on a hill in the distance, widely considered to be Japan’s most beautiful surviving feudal castle. The castle is designated both a national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
219 KM - 1H04 - Okayama
Discover Okayama
What to see ?
Korakuen
Korakuen, a spacious landscape garden, is the city’s star attraction. The area covers both sides of the Asahi-gawa flowing through the city. Take a tram from the terminus outside the station, all the way down Momotaro-dori to Shiroshita (¥100). At this junction, head north until you see on your right a road leading across a bridge towards the entrance to the garden.
Open daily, 7.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct-March), ¥400.
Where to Stay ?
Okayama Kooraku Hotel 後楽
Kooraku is located a 10-minute walk from JR Okayama Station and close to thecentral part of the town. It is well located for visiting sites inOkayama and areas surrouding Okayama City. Okayama is a greatplace to stay as a gateway to visit other cities, as you have easy access to many of Japan’s major cities, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya etc. Also a good place to stay as a stop over to visit the Seto-no-uchi islands.
5-1 Heiwa-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-0827
Tel : 08-6221-7111/ www.hotel.kooraku.co.jp/english
Hotel Granvia Okayama ホテルグランヴィア岡山
Situated close to Okayama Station with Okayama Castle and KorakuenGarden easily accessible. Special discount for Japan Rail Passholders.1-5 Ekimoto-machi, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8515
Tel : 08-6234-7000/granvia-oka.co.jp/english
Mitsui Garden Hotel Okayama 三井ガーデンホテル岡山
With a public bath looking out on a Japanese garden, this hotel is a two minute walk from JR Okayama train station.
1-7 Ekimoto-machi, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-0024
Tel : 086-235-1131/www.gardenhotels.co.jp/okayama/eng/
Book your JR Kansai Wide Area Pass that gives you unlimited access to wider Kansai region
Where to eat ?
Teppan Ku-Ya テッパン クウヤ
Simple and delicious Japanesefood with an English menu. Walk east from the station down Momotaro-dori. It’s on the left just after you cross a small river.
Open daily, 6 p.m. to midnight, closed Sundays.
Tel : 08-6224-8880 / teppan-ku-ya.com
Ginpachi すし茶屋銀八
Great sushi in generous portions. Just north-east of Okayama Station, across the street froma small clinic.Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tel : 08-6226-3848 / www.ginpachi.com
