- Naked Man Festival (Hadaka Matsuri 裸祭り). 3rd Saturday in February. During the coldest month of the year, men wearing only fundoshi (traditional Japanese loincloths) fight to obtain one of two lucky sticks thrown by the temple priests. The men who catch the sticks will have an entire year of good fortune and also receive a cash reward from the festival's sponsors. All the lights in the temple are temporarily blacked out and other "less-lucky" sticks are also thrown down into the crowd of participants to create even more confusion. Spectators too jostle for viewing spots, but you can choose to pay to watch from the temporary spectator grandstand. The festival originated in the 16th century when people would request special talismans thrown out by priests. As word spread that the talismans were bringing those who possessed them good luck, more and more people came to get them, fights broke out and the talismans were damaged. Later this all evolved into a midnight festival with only male participants dressed in loincloths. Today, the festival continues to evolve, with the midnight highlight of the festival has been moved forward 2 hours to finish at 10PM. Price depends on seating proximity.
- Cherry Blossom Festival. Usually about two weeks at the beginning of April. One of Okayama's most popular destinations in cherry blossom season (usually about two weeks at the beginning of April) is along the Asahi River, which is on the east side of Korakuen Park. About three hundred cherry blossom trees are decorated with Japanese lanterns, and illuminated after sunset. On the first day, a lighting ceremony is held. There are many street stalls, selling for example cotton candy, octopus fritters, and crepes. Their prices are from three hundred to five hundred yen. People gather for barbecues and picnics under the cherry blossom trees. Barbecue sets hired from nearby yakiniku restaurants offer an alternative to supplying everything and then cleaning the tools afterward.
- Momotarō Festival (桃太郎祭り), ☏ +81 86-803-1335. Two days at the beginning of August. Held annually in commemoration of the lead character of the children's fairytale and his rival, Ura the ogre. The festival involves Okayama's biggest display of fireworks and numerous public dances and parades throughout the city and its numerous shopping malls. The largest dance parade, the Uraja Dance (うらじゃ), is held in the center of Okayama on the street leading from Okayama Station towards City Hall (Shiyakusho-suji). Dance participants paint their faces to look like ogres and each team has its own unique homemade costumes. Some dance teams are active all year round, performing at smaller local festivals or as Uraja ambassadors at festivals throughout Japan. Free parking for the event is available around Okayama Dome.
Okayama travel guide
Plan a trip to Okayama, Japan — things to do, where to stay, food, transport, and local tips. Start with Kōrakuen Garden, Okayama Castle, Okayama Orient Museum, Okayama Prefectural Museum.
Map
Places mentioned in this guide
See & do
Not yet verified
Stays · Travelpayouts
Where to stay
Showing up to 6 stays with photos. Live room rates open on Booking.com via Travelpayouts.
Browse all stays in OkayamaNot yet verified
Book
Stays in Okayama
Hotellook
Compare hotels and apartments in Okayama — neighbourhood vibe, price, and walkability in one search.
- Stay near a metro line if you plan museum-hopping days.
- Read recent reviews for noise — central streets can be loud at night.
- Flexible cancellation helps when flight times shift.
Book
Flights in Okayama
Aviasales
Find flights into Okayama and compare fares across airlines in one place.
- Compare nearby airports — sometimes a short train ride beats a pricey hub.
- Midweek departures are often cheaper than Friday/Sunday peaks.
- Set a flexible ±3 day search when your dates can move.
Book
Experiences in Okayama
Klook
Tours, food walks, day trips and city activities around Okayama — book ahead and skip the guesswork.
- Book popular tours early in peak season — small-group slots go first.
- Day trips often include hotel pickup; check the meeting point.
- Look for free-cancellation options if the weather looks unstable.
Book
Tickets in Okayama
Tiqets
Skip lines and grab attraction tickets for Okayama — museums, landmarks, and city passes.
- Book popular museums and towers ahead — timed slots sell out on weekends.
- Mobile tickets are usually scanned at the gate; keep offline screenshots as backup.
- Combo passes can be cheaper when you plan 2–3 big sights in one day.
Book
Transfers in Okayama
Kiwitaxi
Private airport and city transfers for Okayama — fixed price, driver waiting for you.
- Pre-book airport transfers when landing late or with heavy luggage.
- Meet-and-greet at arrivals beats hunting taxis after a long flight.
- Confirm child seats / extra stops when you reserve.
Book
Cars in Okayama
GetRentacar
Rent a car around Okayama for day trips and countryside — flexible pickup options.
- Compare full-to-full fuel policies — they save hassle at return.
- Check congestion / limited-traffic zones before driving into historic centres.
- Book early for weekends and holidays; automatic cars go first.
Book
eSIM in Okayama
Yesim
Travel eSIM data for visiting Okayama — online as soon as you land, no kiosk queues.
- Install the eSIM before you fly; activate on landing.
- Confirm your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
- Keep a small local SIM as backup if you need a local number for calls.