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Okayama Prefecture's Absolute Essentials

Okayama Prefecture features a diverse collection of cultural and historical sites. Okayama Korakuen, one of Japan's three premier gardens, sits adjacent to Okayama Castle. The region is home to Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle, the country's highest original mountain castle, and the Tsuyama Castle ruins. Artistic highlights include the Ohara Museum of Art in Kurashiki, which houses the first permanent collection of Western art in Japan. The area is well-connected through Okayama and Kurashiki stations, providing access to historic towns like Wake and the mountainous villages of Shinjo and Nishiawakura.