Okayama: Getting there and around

From/To:

Kyoto and Okayama are two major stations along the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. The one way trip costs around 7500 yen and takes approximately one hour by Nozomi train (multiple direct trains per hour) or 90 minutes by Hikari train (one direct train per hour).

The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Hikari, Kodama and Sakura trains, but a supplement fee is required on Nozomi and Mizuho trains. Meanwhile the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass fully covers all trains between Shin-Osaka and Okayama (but not between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka) and is a good value for a side trip from Kyoto to Okayama.

The one way trip between Kyoto and Okayama by local trains along the JR Tokaido and Sanyo lines costs 3740 yen, takes about three hours and requires at least one transfer of trains along the way.

Ryobi Bus operates highway buses between Kyoto (JR Kyoto Station) and Okayama (JR Okayama Station). The one way trip takes about 3.5 hours and costs 3650-4050 yen depending on the date of travel. Online reservations can be made through Japan Bus Online.

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

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.

Questions? Ask in our forum.

English

Okayama Airport
Official website.

Japanese

Budget:

- 3 Wellness
  Mid-range
  
  Set in Okayama, within 3.7 km of Rian Bunko Art Museum and 4 km of Kuni Shrine, 3 Wellness offers accommodation with a shared lounge and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. This 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space. Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street is 4.6 km away and Okayama Baptist Church is 4.8 km from the hotel. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some rooms also feature a kitchen with a dishwasher. All guest rooms feature a wardrobe. Shimoishii Park is 4.4 km from 3 Wellness, while AEON Mall Okayama is 4.6 km from the property. Okayama Airport is 16 km away.
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- 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.
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- 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. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. The rooms in Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring has a wellness area, including a sauna and a hot spring bath. Speaking both English and Japanese, staff at the reception can help you plan your stay. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kongo-ji Temple, Kochin-ji Temple and Okayama-ji Temple. Okayama Airport is 16 km from the property.
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- 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, 400 metres from Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street and less than 1 km from AEON Mall Okayama. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All guest rooms in Via Inn Okayama are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Via Inn Okayama can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Momotaro Statue, Nishigawa Canal Park and Rokkosei Memorial Statue. Okayama Airport is 15 km from the property.
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- 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 hour�fs 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.
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- Torii-Kuguru
  Budget-friendly
  
  Situated in the Kita Ward district in Okayama, Torii-Kuguru offers 1-star rooms with free WiFi. The property has inner courtyard and quiet street views, and is 600 metres from Rian Bunko Art Museum. The accommodation features luggage storage space and a housekeeping service for guests. Some rooms are fitted with a fully equipped kitchenette with a microwave, a fridge and kitchenware. At the guest house, each unit is fitted with a shared bathroom. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Popular points of interest near Torii-Kuguru include Kuni Shrine, Houkancho Shopping Street and Sci-pia: Science and Humanity Museum For The Future. Okayama Airport is 14 km from the property.
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- Hotel agehA cinq boutique (Adult Only)
  Budget-friendly
  
  Located within 4.1 km of Hashihime Inari Daimyojin Shrine and 4.7 km of Shimoishii Park, Hotel agehA cinq boutique (Adult Only) provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Okayama. This 2-star love hotel offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Okayama-ji Temple is 5 km away and Kongo-ji Temple is 5 km from the love hotel. The private bathroom is equipped with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Guest rooms in the love hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and slippers. Spa and wellness facilities including a sauna and a hot tub are at guests' disposal during their stay at Hotel agehA cinq boutique (Adult Only). Kyobashi no Kyokyakuato is 4.8 km from the accommodation, while Okayama Baptist Church is 4.8 km away. Okayama Airport is 21 km from the property.
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- ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama by IHG
  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.
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- Guest House MEETS Okayama all private room hostel
  Budget-friendly
  
  Situated in the Kita Ward district in Okayama, Guest House MEETS Okayama all private room hostel offers 2-star rooms with free WiFi. The property has quiet street views and is 400 metres from Rian Bunko Art Museum and less than 1 km from Kuni Shrine. The accommodation features a shared kitchen and full-day security for guests. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Houkancho Shopping Street, AEON Mall Okayama and Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street. Okayama Airport is 14 km from the property.
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- Super Hotel Okayama Station Higashiguchi
  Mid-range
  
  Conveniently located in the Kita Ward district of Okayama, Super Hotel Okayama Station Higashiguchi is situated 1.1 km from Rian Bunko Art Museum, less than 1 km from Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street and a 8-minute walk from Shimoishii Park. Featuring a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is set 700 metres from AEON Mall Okayama. At the hotel, all rooms are fitted with a desk. All guest rooms in Super Hotel Okayama Station Higashiguchi are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. A buffet breakfast is available at the accommodation. At Super Hotel Okayama Station Higashiguchi guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Okayama Baptist Church, Momotaro Statue and Rokkosei Memorial Statue. Okayama Airport is 15 km from the property.
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