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).”
Tsuyama city in northern Okayama has been a market for cows and horses, making the area deeply associated with beef consumption. Yomenakase, which is the name of the beef around the heart. This popular meat has a crunchy texture and is served as grilled, fried, or tempura. The second dish is Nikogori. In general, Nikogori is a fish dish but in Tsuyama, they use beef. It’s been a winter favorite of the locals. It’s made by simmering beef tendon and making it into a soup, then poured into cubes and served after it’s become firm like jelly. It is packed with collagen and it goes well with Sake.
Okayama prefecture is in the south east Chugoku region. Tsuyama, a city located in the north part of Okayama has been a transportation hub for centuries and known for its livestock trade in cattle and horses. The documents show that livestock markets were often held by merchants by the end of 705 in the Asuka period. Although the Japanese had enjoyed consuming beef for the most part, the arrival of Buddhism in Japan changed their beliefs and diet, which also led them to avoid consuming beef for various reasons. Despite the changes, the locals in the Tsyuyama area continued with the custom of having beef for medicinal purposes. It was something the livestock brokers had started but eventually became quite the norm in the area. All these things are part of the reasons why beef is still quite popular and a key part of their food culture today. Also, Tsuyama has always had many Wagyu breeders that raised and sold baby cows However, these baby cows were sold and supplied outside Tsuyama, that would eventually breed helped pave the way for other Wagyu brands in Japan. However, a growing number of baby cows ended up being supplied outside the Tsuyama areas prompted a move among the locals to create their own brand of Wagyu beef.
Sozuri hot pot In the Tsuyama dialect, “stripping off the fine meat of ribs and streaks” is called “sozuri”. The meat of bone soba is tender, soy sauce-based soup stock with local vegetables such as tofu, CSozuri hot pothinese cabbage, and green onions, and is a popular menu with plenty of umami. It also has different cuts of beef and each gives you a unique texture.
A charming townscape that retains the ambiance of the castle town of Tsuyama. Located on the east side of the castle town of Tsuyama, facing the old Izumo Road, is the Joto Machinami Preservation District. The area is lined with buildings that retain the look of the past, featuring distinctive namako walls, “sodekabe” (wing walls), and “mushikomado” (latticed windows). Notable spots include the Sasu Joto Yashiki with its striking fire lookout tower and the Joto Mukashi Machiya, where townhouses built during the Edo period are preserved. The remnants of the castle town can also be felt in the small alleys, each with its own name. In 2013, the area was selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
In the Josai district, there are temples from six different Buddhist sects. To promote regional revitalization through activities that foster familiarity with Buddhism across sectarian lines, the “Wakasōkai” was formed, engaging in various community contributions. Guided by the Josai Wakasōkai, you will tour the temples and shrines in the Josai district, which has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. You will have access to halls and principal images that are not usually open to the public. You can choose from the matcha course, sutra copying or Buddha drawing course, and the discussion or meditation course. The route will vary depending on the selected course.
You can also enjoy traditional Sakushu Kasuri weaving experience, traditional culture experience
A must-see for railway enthusiasts! A wide array of nostalgic train cars on display. Tsuyama Manabi no Tetsudokan (Tsuyama Learning Railway Museum) comprises spaces that display vehicles, turntables, and driving wheels of steam locomotives as part of the former Tsuyama fan-shaped engine depot, as well as areas where visitors can learn about the history of Okayama’s railways and the mechanics of railways through hands-on experiences. Additionally, there is a space with a diorama exhibition of the streets of Tsuyama. The former Tsuyama fan-shaped engine depot, built in 1936, is a valuable facility that is the second-largest of its kind still existing in Japan. It houses the preserved “DE50-1,” a diesel locomotive with a high-power engine that was the only one of its kind manufactured in Japan. This is a must-visit for anyone interested in railways and locomotives.
