Okayama Half-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Overview
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Okayama!
The jewel of Okayama City is Korakuen Garden, considered one of Japan's top three gardens. You can enjoy pink cherry blossoms in the spring, multi-colored maple trees in autumn, and the crow-black exterior of nearby Okayama Castle all year. Okayama also serves as a transportation hub, linking the Shinkansen to rail service on Shikoku Island.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
The jewel of Okayama City is Korakuen Garden, considered one of Japan's top three gardens. You can enjoy pink cherry blossoms in the spring, multi-colored maple trees in autumn, and the crow-black exterior of nearby Okayama Castle all year. Okayama also serves as a transportation hub, linking the Shinkansen to rail service on Shikoku Island.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Inclusions
- Licensed Local Guide
- Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Okayama Castle, 2-3-1 Marunouchi, Okayama 700-0823 Okayama Prefecture
Okayama Castle (岡山城, Okayamajō), also known as "crow castle" due to its black exterior, was built in 1597 in the style of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period. The original castle was destroyed in the last year of World War 2, but a reconstruction was made in 1966. The castle is located on the Asahi River, which was used as a moat. Korakuen Garden is located just across the river.
Only one of Okayama Castle's original buildings escaped destruction during the war, the Tsukimi Yagura ("moon viewing turret"), which dates back to 1620. There are also reconstructions and unearthed foundations of a few other former buildings, which help illustrate the former extent of the castle complex.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Okayama Korakuen Garden, Korakuen 1-5, Okayama 703-8257 Okayama Prefecture
Korakuen (後楽園, Kōrakuen) is a beautiful landscape garden and Okayama's main attraction. Along with Kanazawa's Kenrokuen and Mito's Kairakuen, Korakuen is ranked as one of Japan's three best landscape gardens. It is located just beside Okayama Castle, which can be seen from the garden as "borrowed scenery".
The local feudal lord ordered the construction of Korakuen in 1687 as a place of entertainment for the ruling family and a location for receiving important guests. Occasionally, the public was permitted to enter the garden.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kibiji Museum of Literature, 3-5-35, Nanpo, KIta-Ku, Okayama Okayama Prefecture
The Kibi Plain (吉備路, Kibiji) is a charming, rural flatland just outside of central Okayama City that is covered in sprawling fields and dotted with shrines, temples and small clusters of farmhouses. The plain is best explored from an attractive cycling trail which visits several historic sights along the way.
During the 4th century the Kibi Plain was the center of the Kibi Kingdom, an ancient clan that controlled much of modern day Okayama Prefecture and whose power rivaled that of the dominant Yamato Clan in today's Nara Prefecture. A few historic sights related to the kingdom, such as large burial mounds and some shrines, can be found scattered around the plain.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Handayama Botany, 3-1 Hokaiin, Okayama 700-0004 Okayama Prefecture
Our absolute favourite cherry blossom spot in Okayama wasn’t Korakuen or the Asahi River, but the magical Handayama Botanical Garden.
This hillside garden has views of the city and an incredible 1000 cherry trees—they stretch on and on and you feel fully immersed in the blooms.
Best of all, this hidden gem is not very crowded (even on a sunny weekend in full bloom). There are plenty of grassy areas to lie back and gaze at the flowers or enjoy a picnic.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nishigawa Canal Park, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-0000 Okayama Prefecture
The Nishigawa Canal Park isn’t a top Okayama tourist attraction, but it is a pleasant place for a jog or stroll, especially in cherry blossom season.
The canal runs through the city and is lined with flowers, cherry trees, and sculptures with benches to sit and enjoy them.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kurashiki, Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Chugoku
Kurashiki is the most popular day trip from Okayama and it’s only a 15-minute train ride away.
It’s the city’s Bizan Historical Quarter that attracts visitors. This picturesque area features traditional Japanese houses and a canal lined with weeping willow trees.
The area dates back to the 1600s when it was an important location on Japan’s rice trade route. Rice was brought there on barges on the canals and then kept in storehouses before being shipped off to the cities.
The storehouses with their white walls and black tiles have been preserved and are now shops and cafes.
Duration: 1 hour
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Okayama Castle, 2-3-1 Marunouchi, Okayama 700-0823 Okayama Prefecture
Okayama Castle (岡山城, Okayamajō), also known as "crow castle" due to its black exterior, was built in 1597 in the style of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period. The original castle was destroyed in the last year of World War 2, but a reconstruction was made in 1966. The castle is located on the Asahi River, which was used as a moat. Korakuen Garden is located just across the river.
Only one of Okayama Castle's original buildings escaped destruction during the war, the Tsukimi Yagura ("moon viewing turret"), which dates back to 1620. There are also reconstructions and unearthed foundations of a few other former buildings, which help illustrate the former extent of the castle complex.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Okayama Korakuen Garden, Korakuen 1-5, Okayama 703-8257 Okayama Prefecture
Korakuen (後楽園, Kōrakuen) is a beautiful landscape garden and Okayama's main attraction. Along with Kanazawa's Kenrokuen and Mito's Kairakuen, Korakuen is ranked as one of Japan's three best landscape gardens. It is located just beside Okayama Castle, which can be seen from the garden as "borrowed scenery".
The local feudal lord ordered the construction of Korakuen in 1687 as a place of entertainment for the ruling family and a location for receiving important guests. Occasionally, the public was permitted to enter the garden.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kibiji Museum of Literature, 3-5-35, Nanpo, KIta-Ku, Okayama Okayama Prefecture
The Kibi Plain (吉備路, Kibiji) is a charming, rural flatland just outside of central Okayama City that is covered in sprawling fields and dotted with shrines, temples and small clusters of farmhouses. The plain is best explored from an attractive cycling trail which visits several historic sights along the way.
During the 4th century the Kibi Plain was the center of the Kibi Kingdom, an ancient clan that controlled much of modern day Okayama Prefecture and whose power rivaled that of the dominant Yamato Clan in today's Nara Prefecture. A few historic sights related to the kingdom, such as large burial mounds and some shrines, can be found scattered around the plain.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Handayama Botany, 3-1 Hokaiin, Okayama 700-0004 Okayama Prefecture
Our absolute favourite cherry blossom spot in Okayama wasn’t Korakuen or the Asahi River, but the magical Handayama Botanical Garden.
This hillside garden has views of the city and an incredible 1000 cherry trees—they stretch on and on and you feel fully immersed in the blooms.
Best of all, this hidden gem is not very crowded (even on a sunny weekend in full bloom). There are plenty of grassy areas to lie back and gaze at the flowers or enjoy a picnic.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nishigawa Canal Park, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-0000 Okayama Prefecture
The Nishigawa Canal Park isn’t a top Okayama tourist attraction, but it is a pleasant place for a jog or stroll, especially in cherry blossom season.
The canal runs through the city and is lined with flowers, cherry trees, and sculptures with benches to sit and enjoy them.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kurashiki, Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Chugoku
Kurashiki is the most popular day trip from Okayama and it’s only a 15-minute train ride away.
It’s the city’s Bizan Historical Quarter that attracts visitors. This picturesque area features traditional Japanese houses and a canal lined with weeping willow trees.
The area dates back to the 1600s when it was an important location on Japan’s rice trade route. Rice was brought there on barges on the canals and then kept in storehouses before being shipped off to the cities.
The storehouses with their white walls and black tiles have been preserved and are now shops and cafes.
Duration: 1 hour
Additional information
- Infant seats available
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Stroller accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Wheelchair accessible
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Jay_F
June 2023
The park was absolutely beautiful. The tour guide was knowledgeable and helpful. The city was okay and interesting as well. Thank you
The park was absolutely beautiful. The tour guide was knowledgeable and helpful. The city was okay and interesting as well. Thank youAngelika_D
May 2023
Sehr sympathisch und kenntnisreich Rai, unser Guide, ist eine sehr sympathische Frau, die mit Freude und Kenntnis auf all unsere Fragen eine Antwort hatte und alles Wissenswerte über den Garten und später auch das Schloss von Okoyama berichtete. Es war ein sehr angenehmer Nachmittag mit ihr!
Sehr sympathisch und kenntnisreich Rai, unser Guide, ist eine sehr sympathische Frau, die mit Freude und Kenntnis auf all unsere Fragen eine Antwort hatte und alles Wissenswerte über den Garten und später auch das Schloss von Okoyama berichtete. Es war ein sehr angenehmer Nachmittag mit ihr!486irynar
June 2023
Ray (Reiko Takemaru) was an amazing guide who showed us the Okayama Castle and the Korakuen garden. She was excited to show us the famous sites of the city she grew up in! She spoke excellent English and was extremely knowledgeable about the history and significance of each site. The tour helped ...
Ray (Reiko Takemaru) was an amazing guide who showed us the Okayama Castle and the Korakuen garden. She was excited to show us the famous sites of the city she grew up in! She spoke excellent English and was extremely knowledgeable about the history and significance of each site. The tour helped us dive deeper into the history and the culture of Okayama. My husband and I enjoyed the tour very much!