17 Parks in Okayama worth your time

A hillside botanical garden in Okayama featuring thousands of plant species, historic waterworks, and an ancient burial mound.

What it is

• A hillside botanical garden opened in 1964 covering 110,000 square meters.
• Home to approximately 3,200 species and 150,000 individual plants.
• A designated museum-equivalent facility originally managed by the local waterworks bureau.
• Site of the Ipponmatsu Kofun, a burial mound dating back to the fifth century.

What to see

• Six historic waterworks facilities designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties.
• A collection of 1,000 peonies donated by the city of Luoyang in 1988.
• Extensive seasonal displays including cherry blossoms and various botanical collections.

When to go

• Open daily except for Tuesdays and the New Year holiday period.
• Visit during the annual cherry blossom festival for special night viewing events.

Getting there

• The garden is a 15-minute walk from JR Hokaiin Station.

Official site

www.okayama-park.or.jp

Read more about Handayama Botanical Garden

Kakuzan Park offers impressive castle ruins and is a top cherry blossom viewing spot.

What it is

• Historical park in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Opened in 1900 as Kakuzan Park.
• Also known as Tsuyama Castle Ruins Kakuzan Park.
• Designated a national historic site in 1963.

What to see

• Stone walls reaching 45m from the ground.
• Stone walls of Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru remain.
• Bitchu Yagura was restored and opened in 2005.
• About 1000 cherry trees planted after park's establishment.
• Tsuyama Castle Ruins Monument erected in 1877.

When to go

• Selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Tsuyama Station.

Read more about Kakuzan Park

Miyama Park offers vast green spaces, diverse gardens, and cherry blossoms, ideal for nature lovers.

What it is

• A scenic park in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Managed by Tamano City Park Greening Association.
• Covers 200 hectares, with elevations from 50m to 180m.

What to see

• Approximately 150,000 plants throughout the park.
• 7,000 cherry trees of 7 different varieties.
• Five ponds and extensive pine forests.
• Miyama English Garden, designed by a British engineer.
• Miyama English Garden has six distinct garden rooms.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from JR Uno Line Bizen-Tai Station.
• Michi-no-Eki Miyama Park has parking for 500 cars.

Address

岡山県玉野市田井二丁目4490番地 Map

Official site

www.tamano.or.jp

Read more about Miyama Park

Hiruzen Kōgen Center is an amusement park and shopping area with local specialties.

What it is

• A leisure facility and amusement park.
• Features a shopping center with local specialties.
• Includes a restaurant named Farmi.

What to see

• Amusement park attractions like Hiruzen Tower.
• Amusement park attractions like the Merry-Go-Round.
• Shopping center with local products.

When to go

• Shopping and restaurant area: 8:30 to 17:30 daily.
• Amusement park: 10:00 to 17:00 on weekends and holidays.

Getting there

• Maniwa City Community Bus from Chugoku Katsuyama Station.

Official site

www.hkcenter.co.jp

Read more about Hiruzen Kōgen Center

A large municipal park offering diverse sports facilities and green spaces in Kurashiki City.

What it is

• A municipal park in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Built as part of an industrial pollution prevention plan.
• Construction started in 1971, taking six years to complete.

What to see

• Various sports facilities, jogging courses, and playgrounds.
• Camphor trees, the city's official tree.
• A baseball field with a 10,000-person capacity.
• A natural grass soccer and rugby field.
• Sixteen tennis courts.

When to go

• Open almost year-round, closed only on New Year's Day.

Address

岡山県倉敷市福田町古新田1027番地 Map

Official site

www.k-sports.or.jp

Read more about Kurashiki City Mizushima Greenery Fukuda Park

This agricultural park offers German-themed activities, food, and family fun worth a visit.

What it is

• An agricultural park in Akaiwa City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Opened on March 1, 1995.
• Originally named Okayama Agricultural Park German Forest Kronenberg.
• Renamed Okayama Forest Park German Forest on March 1, 2020.

What to see

• Shops, restaurants, and barbecue facilities.
• Petting zoo and jersey cow milking experience.
• Craft beer brewery.
• Stone oven bakery and pizzeria.

Getting there

• Bus from Okayama Station to Nibori Shimo bus stop.

Official site

www.farmpark.co.jp

Read more about Okayama Agriculture Park German Forest Kronenberg

Brazilian-themed amusement park with unique rides and views of the Seto Inland Sea.

What it is

• Brazilian-themed amusement park.
• Opened on August 13, 1971.
• Originally a drive-in.
• A landmark in Okayama.

What to see

• Brazilian samba show with eight resident dancers.
• Views of the Seto Inland Sea and Seto Ohashi Bridge.
• Roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and bungee jumping.
• "Back Nanjer" roller coaster is in the Guinness Book.
• Sky Cycle is 16 meters above ground.

Address

岡山県倉敷市下津井吹上303-1 Map

Official site

www.w-highland.co.jp

Read more about Brazilian Park Washuzan Highland

Okayama's only aquarium, this museum offers diverse marine life and exhibits.

What it is

• Okayama Prefecture's only aquarium.
• Also known as Shibukawa Marine Aquarium.
• Opened in 1953, renovated in 1995.
• Consists of an aquarium and an exhibition hall.

What to see

• Aquarium with 180 species and 2000 marine animals.
• Exhibition hall displays shell specimens.
• See fish taxidermy and ship models.
• Outdoor lighthouse model commemorates a 1953 imperial visit.

Official site

www.city.tamano.lg.jp

Read more about Tamano Marine Museum

Japan's largest olive garden offers scenic views and award-winning olive products.

What it is

• A botanical garden in Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Operated by Japan Olive Co., Ltd.
• Part of the Minato Oasis Ushimado facilities.
• One of Japan's largest olive gardens.

What to see

• Approximately 2,000 mature olive trees.
• The 'Bell of Happiness' monument.

When to go

• Ushimado Olive Harvest Festival: fourth Saturday of October.

Read more about Ushimado Olive Garden

Santokuen is an agricultural training facility and park, offering a unique blend of education and nature.

What it is

• An agricultural training facility with park functions.
• Founded in 1934 as Santoku-juku by Yano Tsuneta.
• Managed by the Okayama Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Human Resources Development Foundation.

What to see

• Yano Auditorium is on the grounds.
• A cultivation display garden is available.
• There is a large lawn area.

Address

岡山県岡山市東区竹原505 Map

Official site

ninaiteokayama.or.jp

Read more about Santokuen

Kurashiki Mirai Park is a modern urban park with unique disaster preparedness features.

What it is

• An urban park in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Managed by Kurashiki City.
• Located on the former site of Kurashiki Tivoli Park.
• Name chosen from over 700 public submissions.

What to see

• A greenway about 600m long.
• Seven special manholes that become toilets during disasters.
• Two benches that can be used as cooking stoves.

Address

岡山県倉敷市寿町12-1 Map

Read more about Kurashiki Mirai Park

Chikusa Kogen Lily Garden offers 1.5 million lilies in bloom, a beautiful summer escape.

What it is

• A park utilizing a ski resort during its off-season.
• Opened in July 2013 by a local cooperative.

What to see

• 1.5 million lilies of 50 different varieties.
• Snowman House, Lodge Chikusa, and Chikusa Kogen Onsen.

When to go

• Open from the second Saturday of July.
• Closes on the third Sunday of August.

Read more about Chikusa Kōgen Lily Garden

Kakuzan Zoo, now closed, was the only zoo in northern Okayama Prefecture.

What it is

• A former zoo in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture.
• It was the only zoo in northern Okayama Prefecture.
• Opened in 1955.
• Closed in 2011 due to castle repair funding conditions.

What to see

• The former zoo site is now Tsuyama Castle Tsurumaru Hiroba.
• Lions and peacocks were among the animals kept here.

Read more about Kakuzan Zoo

Nishigawa Canal Walk is a scenic waterside park, a green oasis in Okayama City.

What it is

• A waterside greenway park in Okayama City.
• Developed from 1974 to 1975, opened in 1976.
• Received the 1st Green City Award.
• Canal excavated during the Keicho era.

What to see

• 2.4 kilometers of waterside greenway.
• Pergolas, water terraces, and fountains.
• Park divided into three sections.

Read more about Nishigawa Canal Walk

Harbor View Park offers panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea from a peninsula.

What it is

• A park located on the Tategoeyama peninsula.
• Part of the Minato Oasis Tobi complex.

What to see

• A promenade along the mountain body.
• A two-level observation plaza near the summit.
• The 'Bell of Happiness,' a 1927 bell in a steel frame.
• Three gazebos are located throughout the park.

Read more about Harbor View Park

Tenjinkyo is a scenic gorge in Okayama Prefecture, named for its shrine and offering natural beauty.

What it is

• A gorge on the Oda River.
• Named after the Tenjin Shrine located within it.
• Designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1956.
• Part of the Takahashi River Upstream Prefectural Natural Park.

Getting there

• Nearest station is Ibara Station.
• On the Ibara Railway Ibara Line.

Read more about Tenjin Gorge

Higashiyama Park offers city views and cherry blossoms, a pleasant stop for nature and relaxation.

What it is

• A park in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Located at the western foot of Mount Kadota Misao.
• Area was once home to Riko-in temple and Toshogu Shrine.

What to see

• Views of the Okayama city area.
• Many cherry trees.
• Playground equipment.

Read more about Higashiyama Park