Okayama is a good place to launch day-trips to most of Chugoku and even Shikoku, as it is the regional transportation hub.Within Okayama prefecture you will find:
Bizen, known for its vast history of pottery and sword making, you can discover the history and even purchase authentic Bizen pottery
Kurashiki, known for its well-preserved merchant quarters and Japan's oldest art museum, is only 15 minutes away.
Tsuyama, known for Kakuzan Park, the best place to view cherry blossoms in Okayama Prefecture, as well as for its historic Joto street and Shurakuen Garden.
Takahashi, known for Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, one of only twelve remaining original castles in Japan and also the highest castle.
Soja, known for the famous Hofukuji Temple where the famous priest and poet Sesshu once studied, as well as containing half of the Kibiji District Trail which extends out from Okayama.
Niimi, a city famous for Ikura Ravine and Maki Cave
And in neighboring prefectures, but within day-trip distances are:
Takamatsu, known for Ritsurin Park, one of the largest gardens in Japan, as well as the historic Yashima Island where one of the final battles of the Gempei War took place.
Marugame, known as the home of Marugame Castle, one of Japan's remaining original castles.
Kotohira, home to Shikoku's largest shrine Konpirasan, is one hour away by express train.
Naoshima, a small island on Seto Inland Sea with superb contemporary art museums, can be easily reached from Uno port one hour by JR train.
Himeji, most famous for Himeji Castle, the striking White Egret Castle, is 50 kilometers to the east along the Sanyo line.
