Surrounding Setouchi

Okayama City

Located 45 minutes by local transport from Sunshine Village is Okayama City. A day visit to the shopping district which surrounds the station is fun to explore for its malls, department stores, specialty shops and zones of restaurants, bars and cafe's. Okayama Station is a convenient transport hub with bullet train access to both the east and west of Japan. Okayama City is also a departure port for cruising to the popular islands of the Seto Inland Sea.

A short walk from the station is the city's most famous attractions, the magnificent Okayama Castle and the majestic Korakuen Gardens which is ranked amongst Japan's top-three most beautiful gardens.

Kurashiki

15 minutes by local train from Okayama City lies the attractive, historical town of Kurashiki, famous for its willow-lined canals and white-walled townhouses which date back to the 1600s.

Today Kurashiki is popular amongst tourists who will stroll around the town and take photos at a number of vantage points. Kurashiki is home to a large number of shops producing high quality denim jeans, gourmet restaurants and cafes, artwork exhibits and handicrafts. On the other side of the station is the modern Mitsui Outlet Park which sells famous Japanese and International brands at discount prices.

Naoshima

Located in the Seto Inland Sea, Naoshima is a small island with a number of modern art museums, galleries, sculptures and architecture. Artworks and structures on the island are designed to take advantage of the natural settings so visitors can appreciate the artwork and experiencing nature at the same time.

Naoshima is a major site of the Setouchi Triennale which is an international contemporary art festival held every three years and which draws large numbers of international visitors to the Art Islands of the Seto Inland Sea.

The Port of Uno which accesses Naoshima is located 50 minutes from Okayama Station by local train.

Himeji

Located 20 minutes from Okayama by bullet train is Himeji City, best known for its famous Castle which is nicknamed the white heron. Himeji-Jo is the finest surviving example of early 17th century Japanese castle architecture which also exhibits a highly developed defence system for its time. Himeji Castle is both a National Treasure and a World Heritage site which has survived war, earthquakes and fire.

Surrounding Himeji Station is many options for shopping and eating, so a day-trip to visit to visit the Castle should always include a delicious lunch.

Kobe

30 minutes by bullet train from Okayama is Kobe, an attractive, modern and thriving port city. This stylish city offers is home to many trendy cafes, boutique shopping as well as a variety of top-quality dining. The signature dish of course is their famous kobe beef which is a delicacy, valued for its flavor, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture.

Kobe when illuminated at night is considered one of Japan's most romantic cities. The light-up can be enjoyed with a stroll around the Marina, but the best view of Kobe is available from the top of Mt Rokko.

Osaka

45 minutes by bullet train from Okayama is Osaka, Japan's 2nd largest city which is best know for it's lively and vibrant entertainment districts such as Namba, Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi.

Bargain shopping, friendly locals and delicious food are features of this fun city. Each night Osaka comes alive glittering with colourful neon signs and extravagant restaurant decorations.

People from Osaka are known for the passion and this personality is on display at any local izakaya or Hanshin Tigers baseball game.