🏰 Okayama Castle & Japan's Three Great Gardens: Kōraku-en

🏰 Okayama Castle Recommendation Index: I felt that Okayama Castle seemed more modern compared to Himeji Castle, which I visited the same day. Perhaps it's because it was rebuilt after being bombed in 1945. It's very close to one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, Kōraku-en, and buying a combined ticket for Kōraku-en and Okayama Castle for 640 yen is a good deal 👌. However, I wouldn't recommend paying 400 yen just for the Okayama Castle ticket alone. 🌿 Japan's Three Great Gardens: Kōraku-en Recommendation Index: It truly lives up to its reputation as one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, with stunningly beautiful scenery! Expansive lawns, large ponds, tea plantations, and gentle hills, the garden is also very peaceful 🤫, giving a feeling of being transported back to the Edo period, strolling and playing in one's own courtyard! Unlike another of the three great gardens, the Kairaku-en in Mito, which is best visited in winter for plum blossoms, Kōraku-en has a unique beauty in any season. Admission fee: Adults (15-64 years old) 410 yen, Ages 65 and over: 140 yen Opening hours: 7:30-21:30 Address: 1-5 Kōraku-en, Kita-ku, Okayama City, 703-8257 (On foot) A 25-minute walk from JR Okayama Station (By car) About 20 minutes from Okayama Interchange 🏰 Himeji Castle Recommendation Index: Unlike Okayama Castle, Himeji Castle has managed to preserve its original state despite the chaos of the end of the shogunate, the castle dismantlement order of the Meiji period, and bombings during World War II. This is truly remarkable! The white walls resemble a snowy heron spreading its wings to fly, hence it's also called the White Heron Castle! It's best to allocate 2-3 hours for a visit, as you need to climb the six stories of the donjon, with each floor offering different views and a sense of the layout of ancient Japanese castles, storage places for their weapons, and imagining their way of life. Entrance fee: Adults (18 years and older) 1000 yen Elementary, middle, and high school students 300 yen (free for children before elementary school) Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Closed days: December 29th and 30th Address: 68 Motomachi, Himeji City Transportation: ① Take the Shin-Himeji Bus from Himeji Station North Exit to "Otemon-mae" and walk for 5 minutes ② A 20-minute walk from JR Himeji Station or Sanyo Himeji Station. #TokyoLife #OkayamaCastle #JapansThreeGreatGardens #Korakuen #Himeji #HimejiCastle #DayTrip #TravelBits