Okayama 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle

This is the ideal tour for travelers wanting to discover the highlights of Okayama efficiently, in a private vehicle accompanied by a government-licensed, English-speaking guide! Okayama prefecture blends grand history with the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea. Admire the striking black "Crow Castle" and stroll Korakuen, one of Japan's three great landscape gardens. Wander the white-walled merchant town of Kurashiki's Bikan Quarter along its willow-lined canal, and view masterpieces at the Ohara Museum of Art. Take in sweeping coastal panoramas from Washuzan and the magnificent Seto Ohashi Bridge, and visit historic shrines such as Kibitsu, linked to the Momotaro legend, and hilltop Achi Shrine. We welcome you to come and explore the unique history, gardens and scenery of Okayama with us! Note*1: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government and requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

1. 1

   Okayama Castle

   1 hour

   Visit the striking black 'Crow Castle,' one of Okayama's iconic landmarks, with its handsome reconstructed keep and views over the Asahi River.

2. 2

   Okayama Korakuen Garden

   1 hour

   Stroll through Korakuen, ranked among Japan's three great landscape gardens, with expansive lawns, ponds, tea houses and borrowed scenery of the castle.

3. 3

   Tsukuriyama Ancient Tomb

   1 hour

   Tsukuriyama Ancient Burial Mound, located near Senzoku Bus Stop in Shinjoshimo Kita-ku, is a significant historical site featuring two burial mounds distinguishable by their names. The tomb on the Okayama side of the trail is particularly intriguing, being the 4th largest ancient tomb in Japan. Visitors can explore this huge keyhole-shaped tumulus and enjoy a pleasant walk around it to appreciate its grandeur.

4. 4

   Kibitsu Shrine

   30 min

   Visit Kibitsu Shrine, famed for its unique architecture and long roofed corridor, linked to the legend that inspired the tale of Momotaro.

5. 5

   Ikeda Zoo

   1 hour

   Located in Kyoyama, near the center of Okayama city, this is a zoo that makes use of a mountain, which is rare in Japan. You can meet about 100 species of animals, including white tigers, lions, red pandas, flamingos, and penguins. Interacting with animals and feeding them are popular, and there are also many seasonal events such as cherry blossom viewing, night zoo, and summer school.

6. 6

   Ashimori

   30 min

   Jinyamachi is a town of Jinya where the Kinoshita family, whose founder is Toyotomi Hideyoshi's legal wife Nene's older brother, has 25,000 koku of land. The preservation district corresponds to Machinin-cho within Jinya-cho. A characteristic feature of Ashimori is that the latticework is well preserved. Beautiful lattices such as Senbon lattice and Kiriko lattice are installed, allowing you to enjoy the aesthetics of proportion created from daily life. It is a quiet and calm townscape, lined with private houses with wide frontage and flat terraces.

7. 7

   Saijo Inari

   30 min

   One of Japan’s three top Inari temples, featuring an enormous torii 27.5 m tall! Saijo Inari, founded more than 1,200 years ago, is one of Japan’s three top Inari . A temple in reality, Saijo Inari includes an enormous torii (Grand Torii) and resembles a shrine while devoting itself to both gods and Buddha. Believed to grant wishes including for business prosperity and domestic safety, the temple is filled to capacity during the New Year holiday, making it to most popular temple in Okayama Prefecture. With the En no Massha shrine existing for the good graces of marriage and the adverse fortunes of divorce, visitors are encouraged to receive a heart-shaped matchmaking souvenir after worshipping and open the door to a wonderful relationship.

8. 8

   Inujima Seirensho Museum

   1 hour

   Inujima Seirensho Art Museum is a museum that preserves and recreates the remains of a copper refinery that remains on Inujima Island. The museum was built based on the concept of 'using what exists to create what is to be'. It features environmentally friendly architecture by Hiroshi Sambuichi that uses natural energy sources such as an existing chimney, karami bricks, solar and geothermal heat; and works by Yukinori Yanagi inspired by Yukio Mishima, who warned Japan against modernization, created in response to the architecture. There is also an advanced water purification system that uses the power of plants. It can be said that this is a project, which through 'heritage, architecture, art, and the environment', is conscious of a recycling-based society.

9. 9

   Manekineko Museum of Art

   1 hour

   On the slope of a remote mountain village, there is a beckoning cat museum with the theme of beckoning cats. In this old-fashioned Japanese house, you can see one of the best collections in Japan of over 800 beckoning cats of all sizes. Lucky cats also have the meaning of bringing good luck, and some even carry gold coins or small coins. The museum shop sells original beckoning cats. You can also paint an unglazed beckoning cat to create your one and only original beckoning cat in the world.

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Service animals allowed
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.