Tsuyama

AEON Mall

イオンモール津山

The largest shopping center in Tsuyama, AEON Mall Tsuyama contains two floors of shops, including entertainment, toys, restaurants, clothing stores, and many specialty shops.

07:00-23:00, most shops 08:00-20:00, but times may vary

Bar Ritz

リッツ

A bar that also offers pizza, garlic toast, and escargot bourguignonne.

Choboji Temple

長法寺 Chōbō-ji

A Tendai Buddhist temple constructed during the Heian Period. Today, it is famous for the 4000 hydrangea bushes planted throughout the temple grounds that typically peak in mid-to-late June.

Former Residence of Mitsukuri Genpo

箕作阮甫旧宅 Mitsukuri genpo kyuutaku

Mitsukuri Genpo was an important figure during the time when Japan first encountered the West. He translated many Western texts into Japanese and helped create policies in dealing with the Western powers. His former residence is on Joto Street — look for the prominent signs.

Closed · opens 9 am·Free

Fukurikikō Shrine

福力荒神社

It was built by the former rulers of Mimasaka Province to pray for a safe and healthy childbirth for the daimyo's daughter. The shrine is also said to protect people from viper bites.

Green Hills Tsuyama

グリーンヒルズ津山グラスハウス

Although it offers some gardens and areas for outdoor activities, most people come here for the Glass House, an indoor swimming area. It is divided into two sections: the pool zone for fun in the water, and the fitness zone for those interested in working out.

Hashino Shokudo

橋野食堂

A great place to try Tsuyama's famous horumon udon. They have various sauces for you to choose from, such as apple and yuzu.

Horumon udon for ¥720

Inaba Cosmetics

イナバ化粧品店 Inaba keshohinya

While it may seem to be a typical cosmetics shop, it is actually owned by the mother of Koshi Inaba, the heartthrob vocalist of B'z, a popular music group. As a result, the store has gained fame and visitors can see pictures and memorabilia inside.

Thu-Tue 10:00-18:00

Joto Old Town House

城東むかし町家

Located in the former Kajimura House (梶村家), a wealthy merchant family. The main house was built in the Edo Period and the houses behind were built in the Taisho and Showa Periods. Visitors can enter the house and other buildings and enjoy its lovely garden.

09:00-17:00, closed Tue·Free

Kakuzan Park

鶴山公園 Kakuzan koen

This park contains the ruins of Tsuyama Castle (津山城), once considered to be the most spectacular Japanese castle. Since the castle was decommissioned during the Meiji Period, all that remains₨ are the castle walls however, they are truly well-preserved, and a walk around the castle grounds offers many great views of the city and a feel for the castle's former grandeur. The small turret, the only castle structure in the park, was reconstructed in 2004 out of wood to stay true to the original to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Tsuyama Castle. The park has gained fame as not only being the best place in Okayama but also as the best place in the entire Chugoku region for viewing cherry blossoms due to its 1,000 cherry blossom trees, scenic ruins, and festive atmosphere. It is also a great place to view the changing leaves in the fall. There is a heart-shaped stone in the walls of the former honmaru that is a popular photo-op, particularly among women. It is even featured on some of the souvenirs.

Closed · opens 8:40 am·¥300

Kamo History and Folk Museum

加茂町歴史民俗資料館

Located in the Kamo Town Welfare Center, the museum features locally excavated artifacts with information about them.

Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00, closed holidays

Kibune Shrine

貴布禰神社 Kibune jinja

The shrine is believed to have come from Kurama's Kifune Shrine sometime during the reign of Emperor Sujin.

Free

Kotokomachi Kimono Rentals

古都小町 町屋着物レンタル

Located on Tsuyama's historic Joto Street, kimono rentals are a nice way to enjoy the historic town in traditional clothing. They offer a variety of rental sets for women (which also include hair accessories), as well as options for men and children. The rental also includes optional parasols and scarves/shawls. A handful of other rental options are also available for additional fees. Standard rentals are for 3 hours however for ¥1000 you can choose to return the kimono the following morning if it is not a holiday. Sizes go up to 3L.

10:00-16:40 (closed Mon Thu)·Women's rentals start at ¥4900

Kume History and Folk Museum

久米歴史民俗資料館

The museum features a variety of locally excavated artifacts from abandoned temples and the Nasuyama ruins.

Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00, closed holidays.·Free

M&Y Museum of Art

M&Y記念館

This art museum showcases the works of Munakata Shiko (M) and Yanai Michihiro (Y). Yanai Michihiro was a poet from Kagamino, neighboring city of Tsuyama. Munakata Shiko was born in Aomori but visited Tsuyama many times and said it was among his favorite places. He is known throughout Japan for his paintings and woodblock prints. Many works by Munakata are on display.

Closed · opens 10 am·¥500

Mugiwarabosi

むぎわらぼうし

A restaurant serving the Tsuyama Burger, a hamburger with a sweet sauce, for ¥600.

Closed · opens 8 am

Nakayama Shrine

中山神社 Nakayama jinja

A shrine built in 707 dedicated to the god of cattle and horses, the current shrine dates back to 1559.

Free

Namakuraya

なまくらや

A small shop selling the city's famous Tsuyama Senbei. It's a sweet senbei with three main varieties; plain, glazed, and yuzu-glazed.

Closed · opens 9 am

Port Art & DesignTsuyama

ポート アート＆デザイン津山

A local gallery featuring rotating exhibits. The building is as interesting as the art. It is architecturally built like a temple but was not a religious structure. It was built in 1920 as a local bank and was used as a bank until 1975. This becomes evident upon entering as the interior is well-preserved with the receptionist counters still intact.

10:00-18:00, closed Tue·Free

Sakura Shrine

作楽神社 Sakura jinja

The shrine was built where Mimasaka Province's head office was located. It honors Emperor Daigo and Kojima Takanori. It is said that upon failing to capture Emperor Godaigo, Kojima Takanori carved a phrase expressing his shame on a cherry tree near the shrine.

Shurakuen Garden

衆楽園 Shūraku-en

Constructed in 1657 by Mori Nagatsugu, one of Tsuyama's feudal lords, Shurakuen is a strolling garden used as a place to entertain guests. While the current garden is sizable, the original was three times larger. The garden is considered worthwhile in every season with cherry blossoms in the spring, lillies in the summer, autumn leaves in the fall, and snow in the winter (if you're lucky).

Closed · opens 7 am·Free

Sōja Shrine

美作総社宮, mimasaka-sōja-gū

One of the top three shrines of the Mimasaka area. The current shrine dates back to 1562.

Free

Tokumori Shrine

徳守神社, Tokumori-jinja

Dating back to 1664, this shrine was built by Tsuyama's first daimyo, Mori Tadamasa. The shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu and it houses one of Japan's Three Great Mikoshi (portable shrines).

Tsuyama Archives of Western Learning

津山洋学資料館 Tsuyama yogaku shiryokan

A museum with information and artifacts relating the Japan's first contact with the West. It also gives information about the important role the city of Tsuyama played in interacting with the West.

Tue-Sun 09:00-16:30·¥150

Tsuyama Folk Museum

津山郷土博物館

As Tsuyama has been the center of Mimasaka culture since the province was established, the museum displays artifacts and information from the founding of Mimasaka to the present, including a replica of the original Tsuyama Castle.

Daily 09:00-17:00·¥210

Tsuyama Museum of Science Education

つやま自然ふしぎ館 Tsuyama shizen fushigikan

Also, known as Tsuyama Wonder Museum, it's a great destination for those traveling with children. The science museum features a variety of exhibits, from body organs to wildlife displays.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·¥800

Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum

津山まなびの鉄道館

A museum about trains and rail travel in Okayama with models, dioramas, and memorabilia. The highlight is its train turntable with 13 cars around it.

Tue-Sun 09:00-16:00·¥300

Ueda Handmade Japanese Paper Workshop

上田手漉和紙工房

Tsuyama's paper, known as yokono-washi, was once made for the local daimyo. They've preserved this tradition, and visitors can now come and participate in workshops to make their own paper. Reservations are required. There is also a shop for those who want to purchase paper products made by the pros.

¥630 per person

Umenosato Park

梅の里公園 Ume no sato kouen

For those in the area in February or March, just prior to the cherry blossoms, this park makes a great location to see Japan's other famous flowers; plum blossoms. With 3800 plum trees, it's extremely beautiful, not to mention fragrant, to see them all in bloom.

24 hr·Free

Yaide Tenmangu Shrine

八出天満宮

Sugawara no Michizane stopped here for eight days, and so it was dedicated to him as the God of Learning, when he was posthumously deified.