Things to do in Okayama
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A
5 Deli
Funky little bar with a good range of juices and coffee.
reviewed
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Aussie Bar
An expat-run watering hole that's popular with the city's English-speaking population.
reviewed
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C
Hayashibara Museum of Art
Small museum with exhibits of scrolls, armour and paintings that were once the property of the Ikeda clan (who ruled Okayama for much of the Edo period). Find Hayashibara near the back entrance of the castle.
reviewed
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D
Izayoi no Tsuki
A convivial atmosphere, walls decorated with sake labels, and an enormous drink menu – just what you want from a local izakaya. There are numerous sakes from Okayama Prefecture (around ¥500) and beers from local microbreweries – try the Doppo pilsner or a Kibi Doteshita Bakushu ale. Izoyoi is just back from the corner off the Sky Mall arcade. The bar's name is written in large characters across a yellow moon.
reviewed
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Kōraku-en
Kōraku-en draws the crowds with its reputation as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Built on the orders of daimyō Ikeda Tsunemasa, it was completed in 1700 and, despite suffering major damage during floods in the 1930s and air raids in the 1940s, remains much as it was in feudal times. It was opened to the public in 1884.
Unusually for a Japanese garden, it is mostly expansive lawns (though, as usual, you can't walk on them). The garden is broken up by ponds, teahouses and other Edo-period buildings, including a stage for nō, and even has a small tea plantation and rice fields. The highlights change with the seasons – in spring the groves of plum and…
reviewed
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E
Okabe
This street-corner tofu restaurant is recognisable by the big illustration of a heavily laden tofu seller in a straw hat. Squeeze in at the counter and watch the team of women chopping and frying as you wait. There are only two things on the menu: an okabe teishoku (set meal with several types of tofu; ¥800) and a namayuba-don teishoku (dried 'tofu skin' on rice, with soup; ¥850).
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Okayama-jō
Nicknamed U-jō (烏城; Crow Castle) because of its colour, the striking black Okayama Castle was built by daimyō Ukita Hideie and completed in 1597. Much of the castle was dismantled after the Meiji Restoration and most of what remained burnt down during WWII air raids. The castle was rebuilt in 1966.
The imposing exterior – its gilded fish-gargoyles flipping their tails in the air – is the castle's most impressive aspect, and you can enjoy it for nix by walking around the grounds, or looking from across the river. Inside the donjon (main keep) museum, modern finishes and an elevator mar the 16th-century feel, but there are a few interesting displays, and views from…
reviewed
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F
Okayama Prefectural Museum
A range of historical artefacts from the region, including documents, tools, armoury and Bizen pottery. The museum is near the entrance to Kōraku-en.
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G
Padang Padang
Despite its name, this mellow restaurant focuses on French and Italian pasta, meat and risotto dishes, served to a North African soundtrack. There is occasional live music and it's a good spot for a glass of wine after a day of sightseeing.
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H
Quiet Village Curry Shop
This cosy curry restaurant consists of one long table, where the menu is disguised as a notebook. Some English is spoken and there are vegetarian and vegan options.
reviewed
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I
Saudade na Yoru
This 2nd-floor lounge bar overlooking the Symphony Hall building makes all the right retro-chic moves, including a rough concrete floor, mismatched furniture and ornate-glass lighting. It has a good drinks list (most priced around ¥700), coffees and a limited food and snacks menu. A ¥300 cover charge applies after 9pm.
reviewed
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Shiromi Chaya
Relax undercover on a tatami platform overlooking the river and take in great views of the castle at this perfectly placed eatery outside the south gate of Kōraku-en. As well as standard tasty udon and soba offerings, there are rice-based dishes, chirashi-zushi (sushi rice with egg and fish toppings) and teas, plus menus in various languages. It can get busy in garden-viewing high season.
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J
Tori-soba Ōta
The name of this little countertop restaurant is also its trademark dish: tori-soba (steaming bowls of noodles packed with chicken and served in a tasty broth). Other options are variations on the chicken, noodle and spring onion theme and even the small serve is a decent feed. Look for the big blue sign opposite Chūgoku Bank.
reviewed
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K
Yumeji Art Museum
Prominent Taishō-era artist and poet Takehisa Yumeji (1884–1934) is particularly known for his bijin-ga (images of beautiful women), and various wistfully posed ladies feature among the paintings, prints and screens on display at this small museum. It's just across the river on the northeast side of Kōraku-en, about a 15-minute walk from the Shiroshita tram stop.
reviewed