Okayama was the final longer stop on our 23 day slow travel route through western Japan. We stayed for 4 nights, although unless you want a slower base with a couple of day trips, you could probably stay for less.
For us, Okayama worked best as a practical stop rather than a city we fell madly in love with. It has good train connections, easy access to Kurashiki, and one of the nicest low-effort cycling routes we did in Japan: the Kibi Plain route between Bizen-Ichinomiya and Soja.
It was a useful place to pause, eat ramen, rent bikes, visit shrines, and take a relaxed day trip to Kurashiki before finishing our 23 Day Japan Slow Travel Itinerary by Train.
Where We Stayed in Okayama
We stayed at Hotel LiVEMAX Okayama West.
The location was convenient for Okayama Station, which mattered more than anything else for us. By this point in the trip, we were using Okayama as a base for day trips, so being close to trains made life easy.
We stayed 4 nights, but if you are only planning to visit Kurashiki and do the Kibi Plain cycling route, 2 or 3 nights would probably be enough.
Why Visit Okayama?
Okayama is not the most exciting city we visited in Japan, but it is a very useful base. It sits in a great location for exploring nearby places by train, especially if you are travelling slowly through western Japan.
The highlights for us were:
- Cycling the Kibi Plain
- Visiting Kibitsu Jinja Shrine
- Taking a day trip to Kurashiki
- Eating very large bowls of ramen
- Having a few slower days after moving regularly along the Sanin Line
If you are following a wider Japan itinerary, Okayama works well as a practical stop between the Sanin coast and onward travel towards bigger cities.
Things to Do in Okayama
Cycle the Kibi Plain
The best thing we did from Okayama was rent bikes and cycle part of the Kibi Plain route.
We took the train from Okayama Station to Bizen-Ichinomiya Station, then rented bikes from Uedo Rent-a-Cycle.
The rental cost was ¥1,500 each, with the option to drop the bikes off at Soja Station for an extra ¥500 each. It was cash only when we visited, but there was a 7-Eleven nearby if you need an ATM.
The route is flat, easy, and very relaxed. You cycle through rice fields, quiet countryside and small villages, with shrine and temple stops along the way. It is not a difficult ride at all, and it made a lovely contrast to the towns and cities we had been visiting.
This is the short version here, because the Kibi Plain cycling route deserves its own proper post.
Official tourism information lists the Kibi cycling route as running between Bizen-Ichinomiya and Soja, with bike rental available at both ends and one-way drop-off possible for an additional fee. You can check current details on the Okayama tourism Kibi Cycling Route page.
Visit Kibitsu Jinja
Kibitsu Jinja was one of the best places we visited around Okayama. We went there on foot the day before our bike ride, taking the train from Okayama Station to Kibitsu Station, then walking around 10 minutes to the shrine.
The shrine is best known for its long wooden corridor, which stretches beautifully through the grounds and makes the whole place feel much larger than a quick map glance suggests. There are also lots of smaller shrines and quiet corners around the site, so it is worth taking your time rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
The area around Kibitsu Jinja is peaceful and easy to explore slowly, but the shrine grounds are bigger than they first appear, so give yourself enough time to wander without rushing.
See the Five-Storied Pagoda at Bitchu Kokubun-ji Temple
One of the most beautiful sights on the Kibi Plain route is the Five-Storied Pagoda of Bitchu Kokubun-ji Temple.
Cycling towards it through the countryside is part of the appeal. The route is mostly flat, with open views, rice fields and a slower rural feel that makes this one of the easiest and most enjoyable half-day trips from Okayama.
Day Trip to Kurashiki
Kurashiki is an easy day trip from Okayama by train, and it was well worth doing.
The main tourist area is the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, centred around the old canal. You can take a short boat ride along the water, but it is also lovely just to buy a coffee, sit by the river, and enjoy the old buildings.
Kurashiki is more polished and more touristy than some of the smaller places we visited earlier in the trip, but it is still very pretty.
Denim Shopping in Kurashiki
Kurashiki is also known for denim, and there are plenty of shops if you are interested in Japanese jeans or denim clothing.
We found cheaper denim clothes at Kurara Kurashiki Denim. If you want something more stylish and trendier, Kurashiki Denim Street is the more obvious stop, although prices are higher.
SNOOPY Chocolat
If you are into Snoopy like Livia, there is also a SNOOPY Chocolat shop selling Kurashiki-only style souvenirs and chocolates.
Is it essential? No. Is it very Japan? Absolutely.
Where to Eat in Okayama
Chuka Soba Fujiya
We ate a massive bowl of ramen at Chuka Soba Fujiya Granvia Branch, close to Okayama Station.
It was exactly what we needed: easy, filling, close to transport, and very satisfying after a travel day.
Chuka Soba Asazuki Honten
We also ate another huge bowl of ramen at Chuka Soba Asazuki Honten, a long-running ramen shop in Okayama.
This was exactly the kind of place we love finding in Japan: simple, filling, local, and very satisfying after a day of walking or cycling. If you are staying near Okayama Station and want another easy ramen option, this is a good one to add to your list.
Izakaya Yotteba
We also went to Izakaya Yotteba, which was another easy local food option while staying near the station area. The seating area is raised and the chairs are sunken. Great vibes and friendly staff.
Shodoshima Ramen Hishio in Kurashiki
During our Kurashiki day trip, we ate at Shodoshima Ramen Hishio. It’s on the corner and you’ll spot the denim stools at the bar.
If you are already spending the day around the canal area, it is a great place to keep in mind.
How Many Days Do You Need in Okayama?
1 Day
One day is enough if you only want to pass through Okayama and maybe visit Kurashiki or one nearby sight.
2 Days
Two days gives you enough time for one day trip to Kurashiki and one day around Okayama or the Kibi Plain.
3 Days
Three days is probably the sweet spot if you want to cycle the Kibi Plain, visit Kurashiki, and not feel rushed.
4 Days
We stayed 4 nights, which worked for our slow travel pace, but it is more than most people will need unless you want downtime or are using Okayama as a very relaxed base.
Final Thoughts on Okayama
Okayama was not the most memorable city on our Japan route, but it was one of the most useful. It gave us easy transport, good day trips, and a chance to slow down before finishing our journey.
The Kibi Plain cycling route was the real highlight for us, followed by Kurashiki as an easy and pretty day trip. If you are travelling through western Japan by train, Okayama makes sense as a base, just do not expect the city itself to do all the heavy lifting.
This stop was part of our wider slow travel route through western Japan. You can read the full journey here: 23 Day Japan Slow Travel Itinerary by Train