Free things to do in Okayama

17 places in Okayama with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

SeeHistory museum
Ancient Kibi Cultural Properties Center
岡山県古代吉備文化財センター
A small museum housing artifacts from the ancient Kibi Kingdom. Although the information is all in Japanese, one does not need to be able to read the information to appreciate the artifacts, which are mainly clay figurines and pottery. It is located.
Closed · opens 9 amFree
SeeMemorial
Kibitsu Shrine
吉備津神社
Last rebuilt in 1425, this shrine is important for two reasons: it was once the head shrine of the entire Kibi Kingdom, and legend holds that Prince Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto fought the demon Ura on this site. He shot arrows at the demon, but the demon evaded his attacks by throwing boulders at the arrows. Finally, the prince shot two arrows at the same time, hitting the demon directly in the eye (but not yet killing him - read on).
Free
SeeMemorial
Kibitsuhiko Shrine
吉備津彦神社
This shrine, rebuilt in 1697, is dedicated to Prince Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto, and has a unique architectural style. To get there, turn right after exiting the station and cross the train tracks.
Free
See
Japanese Fossil Museum
日本化石資料館 nihon kaseki shiryōkan
A small museum showcasing fossils found in Japan, particularly ammonite. They request that you call beforehand if you intend to visit.
Wed-Sat Mon 10:00-17:00Free
Do
Kirin Beer Factory tours
The Kirin Beer Factory is the only Kirin brewery in Western Honshu (though there are many microbreweries). Beer-lovers can see how the beer is produced and sample fresh brew for ¥400 per pint. The tour is conducted in Japanese with printed English descriptions available. During the tour you can taste the various extractions from the brewing process and finish the tour with 3 free glasses of beer from the beer hall. If you call ahead and confirm the time you will tour, they will send a shuttle bus to pick you up from JR Mantomi Station and drop you off afterwards; alternately, it's a 15-minute walk southwest of the station. Be aware that the staff speak minimal English so unless you speak basic Japanese you may need help when calling them.
Tue-Sun 9:30AM-3:30PMFree
See
Omizuen Garden
近水園
One of Okayama's largest gardens, Omizuen belonged to Lord Kinoshita of the Ashimori Clan. The garden was designed in the style of Kobori Enshu, famous man of culture.
Tue-Sun 09:00-16:30Free
See
Saidai-ji
西大寺
This is the location of the famous Naked Man Festival (see "Do" section). The priest Yasutaka founded this temple. It is said that while meditating in Hasedera Temple, an oracle came to him instructing him to repair the Kannon Hall in Bizen Kanaoka. He immediately departed for the West. On his way, he met a dragon deity carrying a rhinoceros horn who told him to build the temple and then vanished. The priest did as he was told and called it Saidaiji (犀戴寺) "rhino temple", but the characters were later changed by retired Emperor Gotoba to its current spelling (西大寺) after prayer-writing revealed to him the new name.
Closed · opens 9 amFree
See
Former Ashimori Domain Samurai Residence
旧足守藩侍屋敷遺構 kyu ashimori-han samurai yashiki ikou
This building was once the residence of one of the most influential samurai in the region.
Tue-Sun 09:00-16:30Free
See
Former Ashimori Merchant, Fujita House
旧足守商家藤田千年治邸 kyu ashimori-shouka fujita sennenji tei
Formerly a soy sauce factory, visitors can roam the building and see the tools used to make soy sauce.
Tue-Sun 09:00-16:30Free
See
Saijo Inari
最上稲荷
Considered to be one of the Three Great Inari Shrines of Japan, Saijo Inari is a large shrine complex built on the side of Mount Ryuo. Legend has it that the shrine was commissioned by the priest Hoon-Daishi after prayers to Saijo (who came to him as a white fox in a dream) successfully cured two emperors of seemingly fatal illnesses. Buses run from outside the east exit of JR Okayama Station — disembark at 'Inariyama'.
Free
See
Site of Takamatsu Castle
備中高松城跡
While very little remains here of any part of the castle, it has great historical importance. In 1582, Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated the ruling Mori Clan by diverting a river to flood the castle. The moat still exists, and is filled with lilies that bloom in the summer. You can also still see some of the old waterways. There is even a small museum with some artifacts and information on the site.
Grounds always open, museum 10:00-15:00Free
See
Bitchu Kokubunji
備中国分寺
The Kokubunji temples were designated by Emperor Shomu as provincial temples throughout the nation. This one represents the Bitchu area (western Okayama Prefecture). The 5-story pagoda, constructed in 1844, is one of the highlights of the Kibi Trail. The area surrounding the temple is known as the Kibiji Fudoki-no-oka Prefectural Forest Park. To visit without travelling the trail, catch a bus from Soja.
Free
See
Hokai-in
法界院
One of the temples of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage. It's a short distance from Handayama Botanical Garden.
Free
See
Koikui Shrine
鯉喰神社
If you walk the trail with no prior knowledge of the area or the sites, Koikui Shrine will seem quite disappointing in comparison to the other shrines. However, Koikui is much more interesting than it appears. After the demon was shot by the prince's arrows, he transformed into a carp and swam away. The prince turned into a cormorant and followed him. Koikui Shrine is located on the site where the prince is believed to have caught and killed the demon.
Free
See
Komori-zuka Burial Mound
こうもり塚古墳
Although the mound is quite small, it contains the one thing missing from the Tsukuriyama mound: a look inside the tomb. This tomb is believed to date back to the 6th century. Aside from this, not much else is known about it.
Free
See
Tsukuriyama Ancient Burial Mound
造山古墳
Along the trail there are actually two burial mounds (古墳 kofun) with the name "Tsukuriyama" that can be distinguished only when viewing the characters used to write the names. The tomb on the Okayama side of the trail (造山古墳) is the most interesting. This burial mound, believed to have been completed in the fifth century, was the largest in the nation at the time it was built. Because the tomb within the mound has never been excavated, it is not certain who is actually buried here; however, it is believed to be one of the former rulers of the Kibi Kingdom, as tombs of this size were reserved only for those in the highest positions. Although the best view of Japanese burial mounds is always from above (to see the key-hole shape), at this mound, visitors are permitted to walk on top of it. Atop the mound there is a shrine.
Free
SeeGarden
桜並木
Free entry