Embraced by a thousand cherry blossom trees, this is Okayama’s premier cherry blossom viewing spot. A symbol of Tsuyama City, selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Castles” and “Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.” The castle was built in 1616 by Tadamasa Mori, the younger brother of Ranmaru Mori, who was killed in the Honnoji Incident. Although all the buildings were demolished under the Meiji government’s castle abolition order, the Bitchu Yagura turret was restored in 2005 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the castle’s construction. The turret, along with the impressive stone walls that stand about 45 meters high, has become a new popular spot. The castle is also known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture, with about 1,000 cherry trees in full bloom creating a spectacular view. The illuminated cherry blossoms viewed from atop the stone walls are also a magnificent sight.
The townscape of the Josai district is woven together with temple and shrine architecture, traditional townhouses, and modern buildings. The building, constructed in 1917 (Taisho 6), is a two-story wooden structure featuring a dome at the front, with intricate decorations on the roof and windows. Each room has a fireplace made of different types of marble, and the building is registered as a cultural property by the national government. The café on the first floor is a lovely space, with walls made of traditional plaster and a high ceiling. Here, you can enjoy “Yōan Coffee,” named after Udagawa Yōan, a Western scholar from Tsuyama who is credited with coining the kanji characters for “coffee.” The townscape of the Josai district, which is a blend of temple and shrine architecture, traditional townhouses, and modern buildings, was selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2020.
A daimyo (feudal lord) garden where you can enjoy the natural beauty of each season. This strolling garden was created by the second feudal lord of Tsuyama Domain, Mori Nagatsugu, who invited a landscape gardener from Kyoto. It was designed to resemble the Sentō Imperial Palace located within the Kyoto Imperial Garden. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of each season, including cherry blossoms in spring, water lilies in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter. The garden is now open to the public for free and is visited by many people. In September 2002, it was designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government under the name “Former Tsuyama Domain Villa Garden (Shurakuen).”
Oysters are Ondo’s specialty. Ondo’s clean waters are ideal for oyster farming, and the island continues to produce the most shucked oysters in Japan. The rice dish ”Kakimeshi” is made with large oysters and vegetables. It was once a side dish for oyster farmers, but it is now a traditional local dish.
Star chefs’ special oyster menus, such as oyster nigiri sushi, oyster rolls, and oyster escabeche, represent an evolution of oyster food as well as the ”tradition x evolution” of Ondo oysters. This appealing food culture is offered to inbound tourists, especially foreigners with an intense craving for oysters.
Two bridges are built across the Ondo Seto between Ondo and Kure City on the mainland, which was opened by Kiyomori Taira, who built Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima), and many ships pass through the narrow strait. In Ondo, where one of the best natural landscapes of the Seto Inland Sea is woven, time moves at a leisurely pace, and the scent of the sea, the sound of waves, wind, and ships will captivate your heart.
The highest mountain on Kurahashi Island, a 400-meter-high Mt. Hiyama. Drive or ride your bike to the seventh station, then walk for 10 minutes. From the top, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea all to yourself.
Oyster rogaining is an outdoor sport with tourism elements. Special oyster menus will be available at three of the checkpoints, and participants will be able to eat them as they travel around the checkpoints acquiring points. The event will conclude with an all-you-can-eat event featuring Ondo oysters, allowing you to fully indulge in oysters along with athletics.
You will learn how to make and eat sushi at Gourmet College, where students will acquire knowledge directly from a sushi chef. The sushi toppings are Ondo oysters and fresh white fish from the Seto Inland Sea, a unique experience available exclusively in Ondo.
A new cycling tour that combines food and health while exploring the beautiful natural scenery of the Seto Inland Sea. Enjoy special oyster menus and meals at various restaurants and cafes in the Ondo and Kurahashi area. “An island-hopping cycling tour that blends into the sky and the sea”, Enjoy!
