### **🏯✨ Okayama Castle Weekend Escape: The "Crow Castle" & Garden Bliss

#summervacay Perfect for history lovers • garden enthusiasts • off-the-beaten-path explorers* --- ### **🌿 DAY 1: Castle Grandeur & Korakuen Magic** **🚄 9AM:** Bullet train from Osaka (45min) or Kyoto (1.5hrs) → Okayama Station **🏨 11AM:** Check into **Hotel Granvia Okayama** (connected to station) **🏯 1PM:** - **Okayama Castle** entry (¥400, black "Crow Castle" exterior) - Must-do: **Try on a samurai helmet** (free photo op!) - **Secret spot:** 6th-floor observation deck for city views **🌸 3PM:** - Stroll to **Korakuen Garden** (one of Japan's top 3 gardens, ¥410) - Matcha break at the garden teahouse **🍢 7PM:** - Dinner at **Omicho Market** (try barazushi, Okayama's pressed sushi) - Nightcap at **Kurashiki Sakura Bar** (20min train away) --- ### **🚲 DAY 2: Cycling & Hidden History** **☀️ 8AM:** - Rent bikes at **Cycling Terminal Okayama** - Ride along **Asahi River** to **Hayashibara Museum** **🖼️ 11AM:** - **Okayama Prefectural Museum** (free, stunning Nihonga paintings) - Lunch at **Mamakari-tei** (local sardine specialty) **⛩️ 2PM:** - Train to **Kibitsu Shrine** (15min, famous covered corridor) - **Denim shopping** (Okayama = Japan's jeans capital!) **🍶 7PM:** - Sake tasting at **Kibi no Sato Brewery** - **Okayama Castle Illumination** (seasonal) --- ### **🎎 DAY 3: Cultural Farewell** **🍙 9AM:** - Breakfast at **Marugame Seimen** (udon chain originated here) - Last castle photos in morning light **🚲 11AM:** - Final bike ride to **Tsukimi Bridge** - Pick up mompe (indigo textiles) souvenirs **🚄 2PM:** Depart with denim and garden memories --- ### **📸 Must-Capture Moments:** 1. **Black castle + Korakuen's greenery** contrast 2. **Golden shachihoko** (castle roof ornaments) 3. **Kibitsu Shrine's endless corridor** 4. **Asahi River cherry blossoms** (spring) **💡 Pro Tips:** ✔️ **Combined ticket** for castle + garden (¥560) ✔️ **Weekdays** = empty castle corridors ✔️ **April** = Okayama Sakura Festival **#okayamacastle #japanhiddengems #korakuengarden #offthebeatenpath** 🏯 **Save this for your cultural getaway!**