Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle Half Day Course

A famous garden and a famous castle face each other across the Asahi River in the heart of Okayama. This classic route can be enjoyed at a relaxed pace in half a day.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Okayama Korakuen One of the three great gardens of Japan, built at the order of Ikeda Tsunamasa, lord of Okayama, in the Edo period. Across about thirteen hectares, lawns, ponds, and teahouses spread out for a leisurely stroll.

10:30 Sawa no Ike Pond and Yuishinzan Hill Climbing the artificial hill of Yuishinzan beside Sawa no Ike Pond at the center of the garden, you can see Okayama Castle beyond the landscape. It is a great spot for photos.

11:30 Cross the river to Okayama Castle Walk over Tsukimi Bridge to the keep, nicknamed the Crow Castle for its black exterior. Inside you can enjoy history exhibits and hands on activities. It was renovated in 2022, making the displays easier to view.

12:30 Lunch in the castle town Finish the course with local specialties such as barazushi and mamakari. Pleasant restaurants are dotted along the Asahi River.

Highlights

The main attraction is the contrast between the wide lawns of Korakuen and the jet black castle rising on the opposite bank. Seasonal flowers and autumn leaves add fresh beauty on every visit.

Access and Tips

About five minutes by tram from JR Okayama Station to the Shiroshita stop, then about ten minutes on foot. A combined ticket for the garden and castle is good value. Just after opening in the morning there are fewer visitors, so you can enjoy a quiet garden.

A Quick Tip

In summer and during long holidays a nighttime illumination event is held. Be sure to experience the dreamlike scenery that differs from the daytime view.

Practical Travel Notes

• Admission to Okayama Korakuen is 500 yen for adults, 200 yen for ages 65 and over, and free for high school students and younger (through March 31, 2027). A combined ticket for Korakuen and Okayama Castle is 800 yen for adults, and a combined ticket for Korakuen, the castle, and the Hayashibara Museum of Art is 1,280 yen for adults.
• Korakuen's opening hours are 7:30 to 18:00 from March 20 to September 30 (last entry 17:45), and 8:00 to 17:00 from October 1 to March 19 (last entry 16:45).
• Admission to the Okayama Castle keep is 500 yen for adults and free for junior high students and younger. It is open from 9:00 to 17:30 (last entry 17:00) and closed from December 29 to 31. It reopened after renovation in 2022.
• From in front of JR Okayama Station, take the tram (bound for Higashiyama) about five minutes to the Shiroshita stop, then walk about ten minutes to Korakuen.
• In summer and during major holidays, nighttime illumination events are held, offering dreamlike scenery different from the daytime. Dates change each year, so please check official information.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Parking (Korakuen): The Korakuen car park has space for 570 ordinary cars, 12 spaces for disabled visitors and 12 spaces for large vehicles. The fee is 100 yen per 40 minutes for ordinary cars, and 1,000 yen per entry per day for large vehicles
• Closed days (Korakuen): Open all year round
• Hayashibara Museum of Art: 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closed on Mondays (the following day when Monday is a public holiday), over the New Year period, and during exhibition changeovers. Admission is 600 yen for adults and free for junior high school students and younger
• Inquiries: 086-272-1148 (Okayama Korakuen Office) / 086-223-1733 (Hayashibara Museum of Art)
• Official information: Okayama Korakuen official website, Okayama Tourism WEB (Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation), Okayama City official tourism website, Hayashibara Museum of Art official website

* The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local government. Times and prices are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.