I recently told a private client of mine that day trips from Okayama are more appealing than much of what awaits you within the city limits. “No offense,” I laughed as she looked back at me through the Zoom window in disbelief, “to Koraku-en garden.”
No offense, but also no minced words. Okayama makes a wonderful hub for exploring the eastern reaches of Japan’s underrated San’yo region, but simply isn’t the most compelling city in Japan
Thankfully, all of the Okayama day trips I’m about to outline are easily accessible with Okayama Station. So, if you find yourself here for a couple days but bored to tears, excitement is just a short train ride away.
Okayama City is Underwhelming, But…
I have unique history, in terms of discovering Okayama, and what the city came to mean to me. But the reality is, that if I strip away my own projections, it’s not the most exciting large city in Japan. By contrast, if you add even one day trip from Okayama to your city center itinerary, the picture suddenly changes—Okayama is no longer your destination, but your base to explore potentially half a dozen other ones.
And I do mean “base” in the best sense of the world. What Okayama lacks in terms of attractions (well, beyond Koraku-en garden and maybe Okayama Castle) it makes up for in very practical perks. I’m talking, of course, about plenty of hotels, tons of convenience stores and a wide variety of restaurants and bars, many of which are on the way from the areas you’ll likely to be staying to Okayama Station (or on the way back).
The Best Day Trips from Okayama
Kurashiki
Kurashiki is without a doubt the most famous day trip from Okayama, though it hasn’t always been that way. Back when I first started traveling to Japan, Kurashiki (and specifically, the Bikan Historical Quarter and its iconic canal) were mostly famous among East Asian tourists. These days, of course, travelers from all over the world have glommed onto the trend. Delightfully so!
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle and the Kibi Plain
A less popular example of the day trips Okayama has to offer is Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle, located in Bitchu-Takahashi around an hour north of Okayama City. I recommend coming here in autumn (in order to see the “Sea of Clouds” at the castle) and also, coming by rental car. If you do, then it’s extremely easy to stop en route back to the city at various destinations on the historical Kibi Plain, most important among them Kibitsu Shrine.
Himeji Castle
Speaking of castle, Himeji Castle is both much better-known (it’s probably the most famous of Japan’s 12 “original” castles) and much easier to visit. You simply ride any eastbound Shinkansen from Okayama Station directly to Himeji Station, and walk ~15 minutes northward. You’re there! It’s so foolproof that you can actually see the castle from the station platform. You literally cant’ get lost!
Naoshima island and/or Takamatsu
Another favorite Okayama day trip of mine involved heading southward on the JR Seto-Ohashi Line, where there’s a fork in the road. You can say on the train and ride it all the way to Takamatsu, the northernmost major city on Shikoku island, and a great place to get a taste for it. Alternatively, get off at Chayamachi Station and ride the JR Uno-Port Liner to (surprise!) Uno Port, where a ferry can take you to the Naoshima “art island.”
Onomichi and the Shimanami Kaido
Heading further east beyond Kurashiki, meanwhile, will eventually take you to Onomichi. Although this harbor city is technically in Hiroshima prefecture, I love coming here from Okayama. Beyond its own impressive attractions, it’s the northern terminus of the Shimanami Kaido, a biking route that goes all the way over the Seto Inland Sea to Imabari, which like Takamatsu is on the northern coast of Shikoku
BONUS: Tsuyama During Cherry Blossom Season
Planning to be in Okayama during the first week of April? While there are some sakura destinations in the city center, where you really need to head is to Tsuyama. Like Okayama’s own, Tsuyama Castle is not “original”—it isn’t that impressive on its own. But the surrounding Tsuyama Castle Park has literally hundreds of cherry trees, which make it one of the best hanami spots anywhere in Japna.
Where to Go After Okayama
Okayama, whatever you think of it as an end-all, be-all destination, is along with Hiroshima the best base for exploring the San’yo sub-region. When you finish here, however, you have a few options as to where you can go. One of my favorite? Riding a Limited Express Yakumo Train to Matsue or Izumoshi Stations. Their respective cities (Matsue and Izumo) serve as the gateway to the San’in Coast, which is perhaps the most underrated part of Japan west of Tokyo.
Of course, when it comes to where to go near Okayama, you can also head south. In some instances, this means “upgrading” Naoshima or Takamatsu to an overnight destination, instead of a day trip. In others, it’s giving Shikoku (the smallest and least-visited of Japan’s four major islands) the time and devotion it deserves—a week, if you can, or ideally even longer than that. Each of its four prefectures needs at least two days!
Other FAQ About Day Trips from Okayama
Can I take a day trip to Naoshima from Okayama?
You can absolutely take a day trip from Okayama to Naoshima. Simply ride a JR Uno Line train (which make require a transfer in Chayamachi) from Okayama Station to Uno Station, then ride a Shikoku Kisen ferry from Uno Port to Naoshima’s Miyanoura Port, where you can rent bikes to explore. Note that if you wish to stay overnight at Benesse House Hotel, a day trip won’t cut it.
How many days should I spend in Okayama?
You only need a full day in Okayama’s city center. However, because Okayama’s true utility is as a base for taking day trips further afield into western Japan, I recommend staying between 3-5 days in Okayama City, in order to full avail its convenient location and creature comforts.
Where to visit near Okayama?
You can travel in any direction from Okayama and end up somewhere amazing. Head west to Kurashiki or the harbor city of Onomichi, northward to Bitchu Matsuyama Castle and the Kibi Plane, eastward to Himeji Castle or southward to the Naoshima “Art Island” or to Takamatsu, the gateway to Shikoku island.
The Bottom Line
If you end up loving Okayama City, then great: The day trips from Okayama I’ve spotlighted above are merely a bonus. If, on the other hand, you end up finding Okayama-shi underwhelming, they can be a lifeline. Some of you will prioritize low-hanging fruit—the scenic canal of Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical District comes to me. Others will travel further afield, whether that’s going by train and ferry to misunderstood Naoshima island, or scaling the trails that lead to Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle. Need personalized help seeing how (or whether) Okayama should figure into your Japan journey? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
