Home
Back

Getting to Okayama

By shinkansen
  • 45 min
  • ¥6,000
Covered by: Japan Rail Pass

Osaka and Okayama are two major stations along the JR Sanyo Shinkansen. The one way trip between Shin-Osaka Station and Okayama Station takes approximately 45 minutes and costs around 6000 yen, but note that international tourists can buy discounted one-way tickets for only 5100 yen.

The Japan Rail Pass fully covers Sakura and Hikari trains, but a supplement fee is required on Nozomi and Mizuho trains. Meanwhile, the JR Kansai Wide Pass, JR Kansai Hiroshima Pass and JR Sanyo Sanin Pass fully cover all trains.

By local train
  • 2.5 h
  • ¥3,080

The one way trip between Osaka and Okayama by local trains along the JR Tokaido and Sanyo lines costs 3080 yen, takes about 2.5 hours and requires at least one transfer of trains along the way.

By highway bus
  • 3 h
  • ¥3,400

JR Bus and Ryobi Bus operate highway buses between Osaka (Osaka Station, OCAT) and Okayama (JR Okayama Station). The one way trip takes three hours and costs 3400 yen. Round trip tickets are available for 6300 yen and must be used within ten days. Several early-purchase discounts are available, which can further reduce the fare.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

Okayama's garden, castle and museums are all located within a 15 minute walk from each other in an area about 1.5 kilometers east of Okayama Station.

There are two tram lines in Okayama, the Higashiyama Line and the Sekibashi Line, which both depart frequently from in front of Okayama Station. The most useful stop for travelers is Shiroshita (5 minutes, 120 yen) on the Higashiyama Line, from where all of Okayama's attractions can be reached on foot.

Inside central Okayama, there is a flat fare of 120 yen per tram ride, but the fare increases outside of the city center. Take a ticket when boarding through the rear door, and pay the fare when getting off through the front door. Fares can also be paid by the local Hareka smart card or by Suica, Icoca and the other major IC cards. In addition, a one day pass is available for 400 yen for unlimited tram rides on one calendar day.

Okayama also has a few bus companies operating within the city. By far the most convenient bus line for the average tourist is the Korakuen Bus (currently out of service!) which connects Okayama Station with Korakuen Garden and also stops at the Prefectural Museum of Art along the way. Buses operate every 30 minutes, and the fare is 100 yen per ride.

Hotels around Okayama

Top rated in Okayama
Budget:
    • 3 Wellness
      Mid-range
      Set in Okayama, within 3.4 km of Rian Bunko Art Museum and 3.7 km of Kuni Shrine, 3 Wellness offers accommodation with a shared lounge and as well as free private parking for guests who drive. This 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space. AEON Mall Okayama is 4.1 km from the hotel and Shimoishii Park is 4.1 km away. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At 3 Wellness the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street is 4.3 km from the accommodation, while Okayama Baptist Church is 4.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 16 km from 3 Wellness.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com
    • Hotel Granvia Okayama
      Luxury
      Directly connected to JR Okayama Station, Granvia Okayama is a 15-minute train ride from Kurashiki. It offers restaurants with 19th-floor views, an indoor pool with a sauna, as well as rooms with free WiFi and free wired internet. Each air-conditioned room at Hotel Granvia Okayama is equipped with bath and shower facilities, a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. All rooms are also fitted with an electric kettle. The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Koraku-en Garden and Okayama Castle. An hourfs train ride takes guests to Shikoku Island. Kibitsu Shrine is a 20-minute drive away. French cuisine is served at Prix d'Or Restaurant, featuring panoramic views. Kibizen Restaurant offers seasonal Japanese foods. Chinese dishes and teppan-yaki are also available. Sky Lounge Applause offers beautiful views from floor-to-ceiling windows.
      View on Booking.com
      8.7Booking.com
    • Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring
      Mid-range
      Attractively situated in the Kita Ward district of Okayama, Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring is situated 200 metres from Nishigawa Canal Park, 200 metres from Okayama Baptist Church and 400 metres from AEON Mall Okayama. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The accommodation features a sauna, spa centre, restaurant and free WiFi. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kongo-ji Temple, Kochin-ji Temple and Okayama-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 16 km from Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring.
      View on Booking.com
      8.7Booking.com
    • Guest House MEETS Okayama ‘SŽºŒÂŽº‚̃zƒXƒeƒ‹
      Budget-friendly
      Situated within 200 metres of Tanukian Bunko Art Museum and 600 metres of Houkancho Shopping Street, ƒQƒXƒgƒnƒEƒX MEETS ‰ªŽR offers rooms in Okayama. This property is located a short distance from attractions such as Kuni Shrine. The property is set less than 1 km from Momotaro Statue and a 10-minute walk from Rokkosei Memorial Statue. AEON Mall Okayama is less than 1 km from ƒQƒXƒgƒnƒEƒX MEETS ‰ªŽR, while Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street is a 13-minute walk away. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 11 km from the accommodation.
      View on Booking.com
      8.6Booking.com
    • Torii-Kuguru
      Budget-friendly
      Opened in July 2013, Torii-Kuguru offers free Wi-Fi, bicycle rentals and a launderette. This non-smoking property features a garden and a shared kitchen, a 10-minute walk from JR Okayama Station. Guests can relax in a shared lounge. The hotel has private rooms with Japanese futon bedding on a wooden floor. All rooms are air-conditioned and have heating facilities, while toilets and bathrooms are shared. From hotel Torii-Kuguru itfs only a 10-minute drive to Okayama Castle or Korakuen Park.
      View on Booking.com
      8.5Booking.com
    • Okayama Koraku Hotel
      Mid-range
      Just a 5-minute walk from JR Okayama Train Station, Okayama Koraku Hotel offers modern rooms with free wired internet and a flat-screen TV. Guests can enjoy massages and free-use bicycles. This hotel was selected as one of the Top Romance Hotels in Japan by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2015. The air-conditioned rooms at Koraku Hotel include a private bathroom with bathtub and amenities. Slippers, a fridge and a seating area are provided. Each room has a humidifier. Nishigawa Ryokudo Koen Tram Station is just a 1-minute walk from the hotel. Okayama Castle is 1.5 km away, and Okayama Koraku-en Garden is about a 15-minute walk away. The 24-hour reception offers luggage storage. A free-use microwave and coin-operated launderette are provided. TOMOE Restaurant offers a buffet-style breakfast featuring Japanese and Western dishes from 06:30-10:00.
      View on Booking.com
      8.4Booking.com
    • Hotel Abest Grande Okayama
      Mid-range
      Set 300 metres from Nishigawa Canal Park, Hotel Abest Grande Okayama offers 3-star accommodation in Okayama and features a fitness centre, a shared lounge and a bar. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Kongo-ji Temple, Kochin-ji Temple, and Kotohira Shrine. The hotel has a sauna, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property. A business centre and vending machines with drinks are available on site at the hotel. Popular points of interest near Hotel Abest Grande Okayama include Komori Shrine, Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street and Okayama-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 17 km from the accommodation.
      View on Booking.com
      8.4Booking.com
    • ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama, an IHG Hotel
      Luxury
      Located in downtown Okayama, ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama offers comfortable and bright rooms with free WiFi, only 2-minute walk from JR Okayama Station West Exit. It features 3 dining options and a 24-hour reception, while concierge services and currency exchange are available. Okayama ANA Crowne Plaza is a few steps from the Okayama Convention Centre and the well-known Takashimaya department store. The Koraku-en is a 10-minute taxi ride, and Okayama Airport is a 30-minute drive. Rooms have an interior in relaxing beige tones, with contrasting dark wooden furnishings and curtains. They come with wide and extra-long beds, a flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. A safe, nightwear and toiletries are provided. The Hotel ANA Crowne Plaza provides laundry services and luggage storage. The lobby offers free WiFi, and rental facilities are available for in-room use, such as a DVD player, an air humidifier or a trouser press. A car rental company and a minimart can be found next door. Japanese dishes can be enjoyed at the backdrop of the city skyline, at top-floor Japanese Restaurant Kuriya-sen. Sky Bar & Lounge is also located on the 20th floor. Casual dining URBANO serves Western dishes.
      View on Booking.com
      8.3Booking.com
    • Via Inn Okayama
      Mid-range
      Conveniently located in the Kita Ward district of Okayama, Via Inn Okayama is set 500 metres from Houkancho Shopping Street, 600 metres from AEON Mall Okayama and 400 metres from Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Okayama Baptist Church, Momotaro Statue and Rokkosei Memorial Statue. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 15 km from Via Inn Okayama.
      View on Booking.com
      8.3Booking.com
    • Smile Hotel Okayama
      Mid-range
      Situated conveniently in the Kita Ward district of Okayama, Smile Hotel Okayama is set 300 metres from Yakushi-in Temple, 300 metres from Okayama-ji Temple and 200 metres from Kongo-ji Temple. The property is close to Nishigawa Canal Park, Okayama Kinshu Kaikan and Shimoishii Park. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. The private bathroom is equipped with a shower and slippers. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kochin-ji Temple, Komori Shrine and Kotohira Shrine. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 17 km from Smile Hotel Okayama.
      View on Booking.com
      8.3Booking.com