🌏 The Ultimate Weekend Getaway from Shanghai to Okayama

🌍 As Shanghai's backyard, Japan is now almost accessible from every village. Among the small cities I've visited, Okayama is my favorite! ✈️ Direct flights from Shanghai to Okayama are available every day except Monday and Wednesday. Departure: 9:35-13:00, Return: 14:00-15:35. I chose to go on Friday and return on Sunday, which is like taking one day off on Friday to spend a full 48 hours in Okayama! 🗺️ Itinerary Day 1️⃣: Shanghai - Okayama Airport - Kurashiki - Okayama 🚌 After landing, I chose to go directly to Kurashiki. The airport bus to Kurashiki costs 💰1150 yen, payable by cash or suica. The bus schedule is aligned with the flight arrivals. I took the 13:30 bus, and since Okayama Airport is small and flights tend to arrive early, you can definitely get out of the airport by 13:00 and catch the bus. 🧳 Upon arrival at Kurashiki Station, there's luggage storage inside. It's 800 yen for a large box. If you don't have a large box, you can store your luggage for free at the ario mall opposite Kurashiki Station. 🚶 It's about a 10-minute walk from Kurashiki Station to the scenic area. Besides feeling the "water towns of Jiangnan," you can visit the Ohashi Museum of Art and creative shops. There are many denim stores that are great to browse, and many coffee and snack shops. The overall feeling is very peaceful! If you want to experience rickshaws and kimono 👘 photo sessions, it's much cheaper than other cities! A boat ride costs only 500 yen per person. 🕐 Generally, 2 hours is enough for a stay, and you can take the JR back to Okayama during meal times. There's basically a train every ten minutes. Day 2️⃣: Okayama - Uno Port - Naoshima - Okayama The only full day in Okayama is planned for a trip to the more distant Naoshima! 🚌 Mode of Transportation: Take a bus from Okayama to Uno Port, which usually takes about 50 minutes from the city center. Be sure to check the schedule on Google Maps before you go. 🚢 At Uno Port, take the ferry to Naoshima (Miyaura Port), and you can buy tickets on site, only in cash. The ferry ride takes about 20 minutes. 🚴 Once you arrive, find a bicycle rental shop. I chose one for 1200 yen a day. A detailed travel guide for Naoshima will be posted later! Please follow for updates. 🕐 Back in Okayama by dinner time, you can have a meal + shopping. Day 3️⃣: Okayama Castle - Korakuen - Airport - Shanghai Don't waste the morning! 🏯 Okayama Castle and Korakuen are very close and can be visited together. Okayama Castle is the only castle in Japan with black walls, and it's located in Ujo Park, which is free to enter. You can take photos of Okayama Castle from various angles within the park! Korakuen is the monarch's backyard, and the environment is really great! There are many turtles and koi fish, and the garden scenery is very charming! Admission 🎫 is 420 yen. Okayama - Airport The bus from Okayama Station to the airport takes 30 minutes. It's recommended to take the 10:50 or 11:00 bus; the next one is at 12:50. Check-in for the flight back to Shanghai starts at 12:00. #OffTheBeatenPath #JapanFreeTravel #ShanghaiBackyard #Okayama #Naoshima