What to do in Okayama

Activities, attractions and tours

A nighttime outdoor market with people and stalls under green tents.
A street with various shops, bicycles, and people walking.
A garden with purple flowers and yellow flowers.
A man riding a bicycle in front of a shop with a mural on the wall.
A traditional Japanese building with wooden signage and a lantern.

Okayama Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Okayama has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Okayama is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Okayama to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Okayama Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Okayama.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Okayama attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

Fukuoka Group/Private Tour by Local Professionals!

Fukuoka Group/Private Tour by Local Professionals!

CA $83
per adult
Fukuoka Group/Private Tour by Local Professionals!
If it can be presented beautifully, it will look delicious.

Cooking and Eating Bara Sushi A Local Dish from Okayama

CA $30
per adult
Cooking and Eating Bara Sushi A Local Dish from Okayama
Okayama : Morita Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting

Okayama : Morita Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting

CA $173
per adult
Okayama : Morita Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting
“Red Pumpkin” Yayoi Kusama,2006 Naoshima Miyanoura Port Square * No Reproduction

Naoshima Art Island Hassle-free Luxury Tour from Kyoto

CA $347
per adult
Naoshima Art Island Hassle-free Luxury Tour from Kyoto
1-Day Tour from Okayama: Kurashiki, Gardens & Okayama Castle

1-Day Tour from Okayama: Kurashiki, Gardens & Okayama Castle

CA $206
per adult
1-Day Tour from Okayama: Kurashiki, Gardens & Okayama Castle
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Top places to visit

1. Okayama University

Okayama University is a great place to learn Japanese, but you'll also hear other languages spoken on campus. Thoroughly international, the university has a robust exchange program that brings people from all over the world to study on its modern campuses.
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A modern building with a clock tower, surrounded by trees and a clear sky.

2. Aeon Mall Okayama

AEON Mall Okayama provides the perfect setting for the exhilarating experience of visiting a Japanese mall. Occupying a modern building, the 300 shops that sell their wares over the mall’s nine levels bring a taste of Japan and the world to the very center of Okayama. The location is extremely convenient, right across from Okayama Station. Purchase something to eat on arrival or before departure, pick up last-minute souvenirs or dedicate a whole day to exploring every floor and corridor.
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The exterior of AEON Mall with a distinctive roof structure and illuminated signage.

3. Okayama Castle

Jet black, adorned only with gilded gargoyles, Okayama Castle is an imposing sight. Built in the 16th century as the home of the Ikeda clan, Okayama’s feudal rulers, it was the center of governance in Okayama and Kyushu for hundreds of years until its destruction during World War II. It was reconstructed in 1966. Arrive today to explore a modern museum dedicated to giving visitors, especially children, hands-on experiences of Okayama culture.
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A multi-tiered traditional Japanese castle with ornate golden decorations and steeply pitched roofs.

4. Korakuen Garden

Visiting Okayama without touring the Korakuen Garden means you’d miss out on a whole dimension of Okayama’s art and history. Created in 1687 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, who was looking to create a place of rest near his palace, the garden offers a retreat from the bustle of the city for commoners as well. Go on a quick stroll to see its various vistas or spend the whole day exploring all the surprises, from teahouses to plum groves. You’ll soon understand why it is consistently ranked as one of Japan’s top three gardens.
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A traditional Japanese building with a thatched roof, a gravel path, neatly trimmed bushes, and a mountainous backdrop.

5. Kibitsu Shrine

In the story most closely associated with the Kibitsu Shrine, a boy, Momotaro, comes to Earth in a giant peach and defeats a demon with the help of a dog, pheasant and monkey. The story is famous in Japan, echoed in the peach-shaped “Momomamori” romance amulets sold in the shrine’s shop. It was inspired by the slightly more realistic legend of Prince Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto, who defeated an evil prince by shooting arrows from this spot. Visit the shrine for its stories and distinctive architectural style, not replicated anywhere else in Japan.
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A traditional wooden building with ornate, curved roofs and golden decorations.

Recommended things to do in Okayama

Number of things to do
41
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
eSIM: Airalo Japan Package: CA $5
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Okayama

Stay near popular Okayama attractions

A modern building with a clock tower, surrounded by trees and a clear sky.

Okayama University

7.8/10 (139 reviews)
A dynamically modern university, resolutely open to the whole world, occupies a set of campus buildings scattered near Okayama’s downtown.
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Where to stay in Okayama

Find the best Okayama areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Okayama
Learn more about Okayama
A traditional Japanese castle surrounded by lush greenery and a calm river.

Naka Ward

If you're spending some time in Naka Ward, Yumeji Art Museum and Parade Hill Park are top sights worth seeing.

Nakasange

While there might not be top attractions in Nakasange, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art and Okayama Performing Arts Theatre.
A traditional Japanese castle, a stone wall, and a bridge over a calm body of water.

Kita Ward

While visiting Kita Ward, you might make a stop by sights like Momotaro Arena and Kibitsu Shrine.
A traditional Japanese castle with multiple tiers and golden decorations, surrounded by dense trees.

Minami Ward

If you're spending some time in Minami Ward, Setonaikai National Park and Okayama South Village are top sights worth seeing.

Aminohama

Aminohama might not have many top sights, but Okayama Performing Arts Theatre and Okayama Castle are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Okayama

A sunset over a body of water with a silhouette of a tree in the foreground.

Tamano

A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, calm waters, and a forested hill in the background.

Tonosho

A traditional Japanese temple with a stone staircase leading up to the entrance, surrounded by lush greenery and a large tree.

Bizen

Frequently asked questions

Is Okayama worth visiting?
Known for its views and nature, finding awesome things to do in Okayama is easy. Don't forget to add Okayama Castle to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Okayama?
After you've visited key attractions like Okayama Castle, spend some time enjoying the shopping and food scene in Okayama.
What is the top tourist attraction in Okayama?
Spend a day at Okayama Castle and discover why it's rated as the top tourist attraction near Okayama.
Is three days enough to stay in Okayama?
With a three-day stay in Okayama, it'll be easy to discover the area's many fabulous attractions, including Okayama Castle and Orient Museum.
Is Okayama a walkable neighbourhood?
If you love walking, Okayama is perfect. You can reach key attractions like Okayama Castle and Orient Museum on foot. At 3 kilometres from the centre, the neighbourhood of Naka Ward is also close enough for a pleasant stroll. So too is Omotecho, roughly 0.97 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Okayama with kids?
Whether you're travelling with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, a fun-filled itinerary makes all the difference. Check out our recommendations for what to do in Okayama with kids.

What to do in Okayama for adults?
From regional food and cultural highlights to outdoor activities and one-of-a-kind experiences, there are loads of interesting things to do in Okayama for adults.
Are there free things to do in Okayama?
Near Okayama, Omoto Central Park is a terrific spot for anyone wanting to experience the area at no cost. Also, check out the green spaces and other nearby neighbourhoods, and don't hesitate to ask a local tour guide for their tips. It's a good way to find the best free things to do in Okayama.

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