Pre- and Post-convention Activities

Okayama Prefecture enjoys a mild climate thanks to Seto Inland Sea.

Blessed with a mild climate, Okayama is known as a producer of muscat grapes, pione grapes,
white peaches and other top-grade fruit. It enjoys long sunlight hours and has few days of
rainfall, a fact that has earned it the nickname “Land of Sunshine.”
1. Row of cherry trees along Asahigawa River 2. Okayama Castle during a summer fireworks display 3. Autumn foliage at former Shizutani School 4. Eyou at Saidaiji Temple (Hadaka Festival)
  1. 1. Row of cherry trees along Asahigawa River
  2. 2. Okayama Castle during a summer fireworks display
  3. 3. Autumn foliage at former Shizutani School
  4. 4. Eyou at Saidaiji Temple (Hadaka Festival)
1 About Okayama Prefecture 2 Okayama Korakuen Garden and the Culture Zone 3 Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter 4 Hiruzen Highlands 5 The Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka 6 Seto Inland Sea, magnificent with many beautiful islands. 7 Experience art and nature up close. 8 Travel conveniently by Shinkansen to the famous Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima, Kyoto and other World Heritage Sites. 9 Tastes of Okayama, the Land of Sunshine,born from a mild and gentle climate. 10 The folk crafts and other products of Okayama.
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1 About Okayama Prefecture

About Okayama Prefecture
Okayama, a major city in size, offers the benefits of a metropolis in a compact atmosphere.
Okayama is one of Japan’s major cities, with a population of about 720,000. While offering the full range of metropolitan functions such as housing, places of employment, schools, hospitals and recreation areas, the central area has also developed as a pleasant place to live, graced by water and green spaces.
The Legend of Momotaro can still be felt today in this city that is rich in history and culture.
Historical sites and cultural treasures that bespeak Okayama’s rich history and culture can still be found within the city today, including the sanctuary of Kibitsu Shrine (a national treasure), built in an architectural style found nowhere else in Japan. Okayama is also famous as the setting for one of Japan’s most well-known folk tales, the Legend of Momotaro.
Okayama, a major city in size, offers the benefits of a metropolis in a compact atmosphere. The Legend of Momotaro can still be felt today in this city that is rich in history and culture.
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2 Okayama Korakuen Garden and the Culture Zone

Okayama Korakuen Garden
Okayama Korakuen Garden

Okayama Korakuen is a garden that was built some 300 years ago as a place where the lord of Okayama could go to find tranquility. It is cherished as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, along with Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Kairakuen in Mito.

Okayama Castle
Okayama Castle was constructed by Ukita Hideie in 1597. It has been nicknamed “Ujo” (meaning “raven castle”) due to its black exterior.
Okayama Castle
Okayama Culture Zone

The area around Okayama Korakuen Garden, home to numerous museums and other cultural attractions, is known as the Okayama Culture Zone.

Okayama Orient Museum
Okayama Orient Museum
This museum has a collection consisting of over 4,800 archaeological artifacts, with a particular focus on the ancient Orient.
Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art
Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art
This museum collects and displays outstanding works of art related to Okayama.
Okayama Prefectural Museum
Okayama Prefectural Museum
The collection at this history museum preserves cultural antiques ranging from prehistoric and ancient times to early modern times.
Hayashibara Museum of Art
Hayashibara Museum of Art
This museum has a collection of paintings, crafts and furniture from East Asia.
Yumeji Art Museum
Yumeji Art Museum
This is a museum dedicated to Takehisa Yumeji, known as the Toulouse-Lautrec of Japan due to his detailed portraits.
Renaiss Hall
Renaiss Hall
This public hall is a hub of creativity for new culture and art in Okayama.
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3 Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
This historical preservation district is home to numerous historical sites and tourist attractions, including Ohara Museum of Art, which was Japan’s first Western art gallery. This town of white-walled storehouses with its richly-preserved old-fashioned atmosphere retains the look of the Edo period (1600 – 1868) and is visited by numerous tourists from Japan and abroad.
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4 Hiruzen Highlands

Hiruzen Highlands
Hiruzen Highlands
Situated in the northern part of the Okayama Prefecture, this resort region consists of expansive scenic highlands and is known for its clear blue skies. Visitors can enjoy the great outdoors amidst the magnificent natural scenery, surrounded by the mountains here.
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5 The Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka

1.Yubara Hot Spring
2.Okutsu Hot Spring 3.Yunogo Hot Spring
The Mimasaka region of Okayama Prefecture has been a land of gushing hot springs since ancient times. Three of these — Yubara, Okutsu and Yunogo — are known collectively as the “Three Hot Springs of Mimasaka,” and this area is cherished by many people as having the best hot springs in Okayama.
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6 Seto Inland Sea, magnificent with many beautiful islands

Seto Inland Sea, sandwiched between Honshu (Japan’s main island) and Shikoku Island, has been designated a national park, and its beautiful vistas include more than 1,000 islands, large and small. The impressive Great Seto Bridge, which links Okayama and Kagawa, is one of the highlights to be seen here.
1. Kojima
This area has had a prosperous textile industry since ancient times and is known
as the birthplace of jeans in Japan.
2. Ushimado
The beautiful landscape and panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea have led
this area to be called “Japan’s Aegean Sea.”
3. Kasaoka
Kasaoka is a port town located on the Seto Inland Sea coast in southwestern
Okayama Prefecture. It is famous as the breeding grounds of the horseshoe crab,
which has been designated a natural national treasure.
1.Kojima　2.Ushimado　3.Kasaoka
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7 Experience art and nature up close.

1.Inujima Seirensho Art Museum (Inujima)　Photo: Daici Ano 2.Chichu Art Museum (Naoshima)　Photo: Mitsumasa Fujitsuka 3.“Red Pumpkin” by Yayoi Kusama　2006, Miyanoura Port Square, Naoshima
Numerous works of art have been created on the islands of the Seto Inland Sea as a result of the unique landscape. In recent years, the region has become known worldwide as a trendsetter in modern art.
Inujima (Okayama Prefecture)
This island is known for its remains of a copper refinery that has been preserved and restored, which is now the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum.
Naoshima (Kagawa Prefecture)
This island has numerous museums, including the underground Chichu Art Museum,
and is the main island for the “Art Setouchi” festival.
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8 Travel conveniently by Shinkansen to the famous Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima, Kyoto and other World Heritage Sites.

The Nozomi Shinkansen (bullet train) stops at Okayama Station, directly connected to the Okayama Convention Center, making it easy for visitors to take side trips to Kyoto, Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima, Himeji Castle and other World Heritage Sites.
1.Hiroshima Prefecture　Itsukushima Shrine 2.Hyogo Prefecture 　Himeji Castle 3.Kyoto Prefecture　Kiyomizudera Temple
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9 Tastes of Okayama, the Land of Sunshine,
born from a mild and gentle climate

White peaches　White peaches　Muscat grapes
White peaches
The white peaches of Okayama are distinctive
for their elegant paleness and exquisite flavor.
Pione grapes
These grapes, also known as “black pearls,” are renowned for their intense sweetness and refreshing tartness.
Muscat grapes
These beautiful emerald-green grapes are popular for their full-bodied flavor and refined sweetness.
Fruit parfaits
Enjoy a fruit parfait like none other in Okayama,
which is known for its fruit.
Fruit parfaits
Okayama “Barazushi”
Okayama “Barazushi”
This sushi features a mixture of fish and vegetables — a colorful dish that is one of Okayama’s best.
Mamakari
Mamakari
This pickled fish dish is a popular local dish in Okayama.
Spanish mackerel
Spanish mackerel
To enjoy a taste of the Seto Inland Sea in Okayama, have some sashimi made from freshly caught Spanish mackerel.
Local sakes
Local sakes
Okayama has abundant sources of fresh water, and sake is brewed in every part of the prefecture.
Oysters
Oysters
The district of Hinase, Bizen is famous for oyster production. Enjoy the taste of winter with some rich, meaty oysters.
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10 The folk crafts and other products of Okayama

Bizen ware
Bizen ware
This pottery is distinctive for using no glaze, and for no two pieces having the same design.
Natsukawa fans
Natsukawa fans
These beautiful fans include “Utatsugi” fans with cloud patterns and haiku written on them, and “Sukashi” fans with nature themes.
Ujobori wood carvings
Ujobori wood carvings
Hand-carved lacquerware from Okayama. It is distinctive for becoming glossier and improving the taste of food, the more it is used.
Kurashiki “Hariko” dolls
Kurashiki “Hariko” dolls
These paper-mâché tigers are made to celebrate boys’ births. Their movements and expressions are comical.
Jeans
High-quality jeans are still being
produced today in Kojima, known as
the birthplace of jeans in Japan.
Jeans
Contact Us
OKAYAMA CONVENTION CENTER
Co.,Ltd.
14-1, Ekimotomachi, Kitaku, Okayama 700-0024, Japan
E-mail