Castle tourism in Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefecture, known as the "Fruit Kingdom," is an area where you can enjoy history and beautiful scenery all at once. Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, with its rows of willow trees and white-walled storehouses, and Korakuen, one of Japan's top three gardens, are recommended for a stroll. Famous castles include Okayama Castle, known as the "crow castle" painted in black lacquer, Bitchu Takamatsu Castle, known for Toyotomi Hideyoshi's water raids, and Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, the highest existing mountain castle in Japan. It is also known as the place where the legend of Momotaro remains, including Kibitsu Shrine. At Ushimado, known as ``Japan's Aegean Sea,'' you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea.