Three nights and four days: sea views or streets and crafts?

Take a Higashiyama-bound tram from Okayama-ekimae to Shiroshita. Allow about five minutes on the tram and about 10 minutes on foot to the castle entrance, plus waiting time. Distinguish it from the Seikibashi-bound service.

Okayama Castle2026-10-08Current Korakuen information2026-10-08Choose a route2026-10-08Korakuen south gate and bridge information2026-10-08

After the keep, cross Tsukimi Bridge to Korakuen's south-gate ticket office. The official roughly five-minute south-gate-to-castle access figure excludes stairs and ticket queues. Allow half a day for both sites and lunch. A standard combined ticket costs JPY 800 when sold; on days it is unavailable, separate tickets total JPY 1,000. The garden closes at 18:00 from 20 March to 30 September and 17:00 from 1 October to 19 March, with admission ending 15 minutes earlier. If arriving late, decide whether to visit just one before buying a combined ticket.

Okayama Castle2026-10-08Current Korakuen information2026-10-08Choose a route2026-10-08Korakuen south gate and bridge information2026-10-08Official tram fares2026-10-08

Walk about 10 minutes from the garden to Shiroshita, then take an Okayama-ekimae-bound tram. Stay in Okayama tonight. The two tram rides totalling JPY 320 are included in the subtotal separately from admission tickets.

Current Korakuen information2026-10-08Official tram fares2026-10-08Shiroshita return timetable2026-10-08

Take a westbound JR service from Okayama that stops at Kurashiki. From the south exit, walk through the historical quarter to the Ohara main building ticket office at 1-1-15 Chuo, about 15 minutes away. The roughly 10-minute walk to the quarter's entrance is only part of the journey.

Open official Ohara Museum of Art information2026-10-08Ohara access2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

Allow two to three hours for Western paintings in the main building, the Craft Art and Asian Art Gallery, and the Kojima Torajiro Memorial Hall. A standard ticket covering all three costs JPY 2,000; re-entry to the same building is generally not allowed. The memorial hall opens at 10:00 and closes at 16:00 from March to November, or 15:00 from December to February. These differ from the main building's seasonal admission cutoffs. Adjust your visiting day if you lack time for all three. Audio guides, meals and purchases cost extra.

Open official Ohara Museum of Art information2026-10-08Ohara access2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

After your visit, walk about 15 minutes back to Kurashiki Station. Take JR to Okayama and stay there tonight. The JPY 660 return base fare is included in the subtotal.

Open official Ohara Museum of Art information2026-10-08Ohara access2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

Take a Seto-Ohashi Line local train from Okayama that stops at Kojima, then go to stand 5 outside the station. Choose JR to suit the sunset programme's monthly departure time on Fridays, Saturdays and the day before a public holiday. If the operating day does not fit or there is insufficient time for JR after the scheduled return, omit the coastal trip and relax in Okayama.

Official JR route and timetable search2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08Official monthly sunset-bus return timetable and boarding information2026-10-08

The sunset programme visits Sanbyakuzan and Washuzan viewpoints before returning to Kojima Station. It allows about 15 minutes at each viewpoint and costs JPY 540. Follow the official monthly outward and return timetable. No reservation is needed, but you cannot board if full; omit the trip if you have no alternative transport arranged. Follow crew instructions for walks at the stops.

Official monthly sunset-bus return timetable and boarding information2026-10-08

When the programme bus returns to Kojima Station, take a local train to Okayama. Choose a JR departure that allows boarding preparation after the scheduled bus return. Stay in Okayama tonight.

Official JR route and timetable search2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08Official monthly sunset-bus return timetable and boarding information2026-10-08

Take a JR Kibi Line (Momotaro Line) train towards Soja from Okayama and get off at Kibitsu. The shrine's Japanese directions give about 17 minutes on the train and 10 minutes on foot, excluding waits. Follow the official access map to 931 Kibitsu. The 05:00 gate opening is not the first train time; search JR for outward and return services.

Official Japanese access information2026-10-08Shrine worship and operating FAQ2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

We suggest 60–90 minutes for worship and the corridor and grounds. The main sanctuary interior and paid prayers are excluded. Choose a visit time that lets you finish worship and the return walk before the gates close at 18:00. On your departure day, also allow time for your next train from Okayama Station.

Official Japanese access information2026-10-08Shrine worship and operating FAQ2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

Walk about 10 minutes back to Kibitsu Station, then take an Okayama-bound train. The return JR base fare is JPY 420; paid prayers and souvenirs cost extra. This itinerary ends at Okayama Station.

Official Japanese access information2026-10-08Shrine worship and operating FAQ2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

Take a JR Kibi Line (Momotaro Line) train towards Soja from Okayama and get off at Kibitsu. The shrine's Japanese directions give about 17 minutes on the train and 10 minutes on foot, excluding waits. Follow the official access map to 931 Kibitsu. The 05:00 gate opening is not the first train time; search JR for outward and return services.

Official Japanese access information2026-10-08Shrine worship and operating FAQ2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

We suggest 60–90 minutes for worship and the corridor and grounds. The main sanctuary interior and paid prayers are excluded. Choose a visit time that lets you finish worship and the return walk before the gates close at 18:00. On your departure day, also allow time for your next train from Okayama Station.

Official Japanese access information2026-10-08Shrine worship and operating FAQ2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

Walk about 10 minutes back to Kibitsu Station and take an Okayama-bound train. The return JR base fare is JPY 420; paid prayers and souvenirs cost extra. Stay in Okayama tonight.

Official Japanese access information2026-10-08Shrine worship and operating FAQ2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

Take a Higashiyama-bound tram from Okayama-ekimae to Shiroshita. Allow about five minutes on the tram and about 10 minutes on foot to the castle entrance, plus waiting time. Distinguish it from the Seikibashi-bound service.

Okayama Castle2026-10-08Choose a route2026-10-08

We suggest about 90 minutes for the keep exhibition. Adult admission is JPY 500; it opens at 09:00, with last admission at 17:00. Do not add the garden today: eat near the castle or in the city instead.

Okayama Castle2026-10-08

Walk to Shiroshita and take an Okayama-ekimae-bound tram back. The two tram rides for the castle cost JPY 160 each, totalling JPY 320. Stay in Okayama tonight.

Official tram fares2026-10-08Shiroshita return timetable2026-10-08Higashiyama-bound timetable2026-10-08Okayama Castle2026-10-08

Take a westbound JR service from Okayama that stops at Kurashiki. From the south exit, follow the tourist map about 800 metres, or 10 minutes, to the historical quarter entrance. Avoid heading north towards the shopping mall.

Official JR route and timetable search2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08Open official Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter information2026-10-08Official Kurashiki walking map2026-10-08

Start by the canal and explore the white-walled streets of Honmachi and Higashimachi. Allow two to three hours including lunch and shops. Today focuses on walking the streets; museum admission, boat rides and activities are excluded. Check meals, purchases and each shop's opening days separately.

Official JR route and timetable search2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08Open official Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter information2026-10-08Official Kurashiki walking map2026-10-08

Leave the streets and walk back to Kurashiki Station's south side. Take JR to Okayama and stay there tonight. The return base fare is JPY 660; routes visiting Kurashiki again on another day also include that day's return fare separately.

Official JR route and timetable search2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08Official Kurashiki walking map2026-10-08

Take a westbound JR service from Okayama that stops at Kurashiki. Walk from the station's south side through the historical quarter to the folkcraft museum at 1-4-11 Chuo, about 15 minutes away. See everyday craft exhibitions today, separately from yesterday's street walk.

Facility fees and closures2026-10-08Current official hours and access2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

Allow 60–90 minutes for everyday objects such as bowls and textiles. It opens at 10:00, with last admission at 16:30; standard admission is JPY 1,200. Fees may vary by exhibition. The museum closes on Mondays, or the next day when Monday is a public holiday, so check the calendar.

Facility fees and closures2026-10-08Current official hours and access2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08

Walk about 15 minutes from the museum back to Kurashiki Station and take JR to Okayama. This route ends at Okayama Station, so today's JPY 660 return JR fare is also included in the subtotal.

Facility fees and closures2026-10-08Current official hours and access2026-10-08Recheck JR dates, sections and fares2026-10-08