The Okayama Castle which is visited today dates from 1966. It was rebuilt in stone following the 1945 bombing. Originally, the castle was wooden and was built between 1573 and 1597. it is nicknamed the golden Crow castle 金 烏 城 Kin U-jo because from the outside, it is black and has its Shachihoko, gargoyle in the shape of fish, in golden color. The roof of the keep were also gilded tiles until it was destroyed in 1600 (Battle of Sekigahara).
The entrance to the castle and the Garden Kōraku-en 後 楽 園costs 560 yen, while the castle only costs 300 yen and garden only 400 yen. This is the first castle we visit where there is an elevator inside. The elevator goes up to the 4th floor, the top 2 floors are only accessible by stairs. From the top, there is a beautiful view of the city and the famous garden Kōraku-en. On the 2nd floor, it is possible to take pictures in an authentic 17th century Japanese coach and also with a special old Okayama garment and fake gun.
The Kōrakuen or Kōraku-en 後 楽 園 is a Japanese garden built in 1700. It is one of the 3 gardens named Sanmeien 三名 園 means Three Great Gardens of Japan. This garden was originally built on a sandbar . Today it is 14 ha.with old tea houses, lakes , hills and waterfalls, bamboo wood, cages with cranes but also a rice field. The beauty of this garden resides in its traditional and authentic side. This is also why it is the place chosen by all young Japanese people from Okayama to do their wedding photo. We crossed 5 or 6 pairs in 1 hour visit.
Okayama is located between Osaka and Hiroshima. It is a city that is quite lost in the south of the main island, so it is not much visited. But it hides beautiful National Treasury in its midst.