Niimi City has a population of about 34,000 and is located in the north part of the Prefecture. Over the years smaller towns and villages have been amalgamated, so Niimi now consists of Osa, Shingo, Tessei and Tetta. It also serves as a crossover point into Tottori Prefecture. Ni..
Takahashi City is located between Niimi City in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture and Soja City which is just 40 minutes outside of downtown Okayama City. With a population of only 34,000, where many of the residents connected to Kibi International University and Junsei Junior College...
A rural city with about 40,000 residents, Setouchi City is a new kid on the block in Okayama Prefecture. It consists of the towns of Ushimado, Oku and Osafune and is bordered by both Okayama and Bizen City. Oku is where the city hall is located although I don’t think you could really call it..
Uno is a little town with a funny name. Not like Yoko Ono, or “yuno”, as in “you know”, but “oo no”. Thousands of people pass through each day, but it is not on the Shinkansen route, nor does it have any World Heri..
Inujima is a near deserted island off the south coast of Okayama Prefecture, whose population had decreased from three thousand to a bit over thirty in a hundred years. There are old bank tellers and charming wood cottages, like a place stuck in time..
In many ways a trip to Inujima is a trip back in time. In many ways the changes to the 21st century has bypassed this quiet island with many of the younger generation having moved to the bigger cities Fiona Tan, a visiting artist from the Netherlands..
The long coastlines and islands of the Setouchi area house some of Japan’s top luxurious retreats. These seaside paradises show the beauty of the Setouchi region of Japan and its vibrant blue and green waters that change colors with the seasons..
Located only within a two-minute walk from Okayama station, Hollywood Sauna & Spa is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the weird and wonderful world of Japanese accommodations. The multi-story hotel, which is ironically set above a pachink..
Budget station hotels in Japan are near the stations, or at most a kilometer away, a walking distance of about 20 minutes. At average rates of between Y 5000 to 10000, they are a steal, if you can bear with no chocolates under the pillow and no rose ..
Japan is overflowing with traditional gardens, parks and other green spaces each more magnificent than the last. Certain ones, however, will leave you with a stronger impression than the others. This is the case of the magnificent Okayama Korakuen Ga..
On a cool Monday in early December, I made my way to Imbe in Okayama Prefecture. The small town, a 35-minute ride from Okayama Station, is home to Bizen-yaki (Bizen pottery), one of the six traditional kilns of Japan. My first stop was the Bize..
Although you might know it for looking at it, the small town of Kojima in Okayama Prefecture is home to some of the most important jeans companies in Japan. One of the most famous of these companies is Betty Smith Jeans. Betty Smith has been making q..
