Okayama prefecture is known as the land of fair weather ‘hare no kuni’, due to its moderate temperature and low rainfall.
The main attractions of Okayama-prefecture are the cities of Okayama and Kurashiki.
First, we’ll visit Korakuen Garden, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.
The garden was designed in the ‘Kaiyu’ ( scenic promenade ) style, in which circulating walking paths are provided for enjoying views of the garden.
So you’ll find a new view at every turn of the path which connects the vast lawns, ponds, hills, and streams.
The garden is also enjoyable in every season, and cherry blossom in spring and the colored leaves in autumn are especially famous, attracting many tourists.
When you get tired, why don’t you have a bowl of green tea and try the local dessert, ‘kibi-dango’, a soft, sweet rice cake at a rest house.
Then we’ll move to Kurashiki city. It takes only 20minutes to Kurashiki station by train.
You can reach the Bikan Historical Quarter in about seven minutes on foot from the station.
Between JR Kurashiki station and the old Bikan area, you walk through the typical urban Japanese scenery, which will make you wonder whether you are in the right town. But once you turn into the canal area everything changes. You’ll see a number of picturesque buildings such as old black-tiled houses around a stretch of moat. Bridges arch over, willows drip into water, and swans swim in the canal. The entire atmosphere is quite delightful.
Also a variety of gift shops and restaurants will make you feel that the town is definitely your favorite.
Kurashiki Ivy Square, the multi-purpose public space, was formerly a cotton mill. The picturesque ivy-covered red brick buildings house a hotel, restaurants,
gift shops and a cotton mill museum.
This museum was opened by Ohara Keisaburo in 1920’s, the owner of the Kurabo Textile Company.
The museum is surely Kurashiki’s premier museums and houses the predominantly European art collection of the owner.
“Annunciation” of El Greco is one of the most popular works of the museum.
The museum’s neoclassical façade is Kurashiki’s best-known landmark.
: Rickshaw riding
There is a Rickshaw service at the Bikan area. You can enjoy nice views of Historical Quarter on the Rickshaw.
Price :
*1 block tour (1200m, 12minutes) 3000 JPY/ 1 passenger
*2 block tour (2200m, 22minutes) 5000 JPY/ 1 passenger
*30 minutes tour 7000 JPY/ 1 passenger
At JR OKAYAMA station or your hotel
At JR OKAYAMA station
guide fee
1 person : 15000 JPY
2 people : 20000 JPY
3-6 people : 24000 JPY
transportation fee ( you )
Bus : JR Okayama station ⇔ Korakuen 280Yen / per
JR : Okayama ⇔ Kurashiki 680Yen / per
Transportation ( guide ) (Bus & Jr) 3000 JPY
:*** Please pay the fee directly to the guide when the tour starts.
Entrance fee (You and guide)
Korakuen garden 400Yen / per
Ohara Museum of Art 1300 Yen / Adults 500Yen / 18 and under
Lunch
The last day of this tour is March 15, 2022.
I can make the plan according to your schedule.
Ananya B.
Kurashiki Historic Quarter ( inc. Ohara Museum of Art)
Customized
“Time well spent ”
Chizuru is an amazing and energetic guide - very familiar with the area, she made sure that I got the most out of both Naoshima and Kurashiki. She's thoughtful and sets the pace according to what suits you, which is perfect. She's well informed and gave me all sorts of interesting nuggets of information which I really appreciated. Would highly recommend you choose to spend your time with her :) Thank you so much!
Chizuru M.
(59 reviews)Hi Ananya, Thank you very much for the high evaluation and your complement. I was very nervous when we started the tour because it was the first guide in seven months. But I was able to relax soon thanks to your friendly personality. I feel relieved that everything went smoothly while paying attention to Corona measures. Thank you very much for your cooperation. The spread of coronavirus has not finished yet. Please stay healthy. Chizuru
Joan P.
Okayama Korakuen Garden & Kurashiki Historic Quarter ( inc. Ohara Museum of Art)
Customized
“Caring, flexible, knowledgeable and kind”
The day before we met Chizuru we totally changed what we wanted to do with her as we decided to end the day with a bike ride in the countryside. Not only was she most understanding, but went out of her way to take the train with us to ensure that we found the bicycle rental place, and help us through the process as the bike rental owner couldn't speak English. We were so grateful. She then hurried through some of the other places we asked for, always keeping an eye on the time, but still hitting the highlights and being most informative. She was a pleasure to be with.
Chizuru M.
(59 reviews)Hi Joan, thank you so much for your complement to me. I’m glad to receive such beautiful words. I’m relieved to hear that you enjoyed cycling without any problem. You asked me so many questions about Japanese culture, history, people and so on. I really enjoyed the conversation with you and felt that you liked Japan very much. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan. Thank you! Chizuru
Paula W.
I Day Trip to NAOSHIMA (The Island of Contemporary Art)
Customized
“We loved our Naoshima tour with Chizuru!”
My sister and I recently had the good fortune to take a tour of Naoshima with Chizuru. What a wonderful day we had! Chizuru met us promptly at the ferry dock in the morning and whisked us away on an art adventure. She took us to several Art House Project sites in the Honmura district, the Ando Museum, Chichu Art Museum, the Benesse House Museum, outdoor artworks including the Yayoi Kusama yellow pumpkin, and the Naoshima Bath I Love YU. There's just no way we would have been able to navigate that many locations and time it all properly without Chizuru's help. Chizuru is so knowledgeable about Naoshima art and shared so much with us. We really appreciated her generosity, kindness, humor and all of the ways she helped make the day seamless and fun. She rearranged her schedule to meet us on the only day we could do the tour and emailed me all of the details I needed in advance. If you have the opportunity to take a tour with Chizuru, do it. She's a delight. Thank you, Chizuru!
Chizuru M.
(59 reviews)Hi Paula, Thank you so much for your wonderful tour review. I’m glad and appreciate to receive that. You also gave me a fortune to be able to join a part of your special trip with your younger sister. I really enjoyed spending a lot of time talking with two of you. I wish you your health and happiness in the future. Warmest thought for Christmas and a Happy New Year! Chizuru