Okayama is located in the southern Chugoku Region and borders the Hyogo, Tottori, and Hiroshima Prefectures. It has been nicknamed the “Land of Sunshine” for its fine, sunny weather.

Okayama is known as the “Land of Sunshine” because the area experiences fewer rainy days compared to others in Japan. It is located along the Seto Inland Sea, facing the Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku. Its capital is Okayama. This prefecture is famous for its fruits, specifically grapes and peaches. It also harbors a large textile industry, with over half of Japan’s school uniforms produced here. The cities in the Okayama Prefecture are Akaiwa, Asakuchi, Bizen, Ibara, Kasaoka, Kurashiki, Maniwa, Mimasaka, Niimi, Okayama, Setouchi, Soja, Takahashi, Tamano, and Tsuyama.

Major attractions include Inujima Island, Bitchu-Takahasi, Kurashiki, and Korakuen Garden. Inujima Island is a small, peaceful island turned into a modern art site. Bitchu-Takahasi is a small city best known for its mountain-top Matsuyama Castle. Kurashiki is a well-preserved canal area, featuring numerous shops and museums. Korakuen Garden is one of Japan’s top three gardens and is located next to the Okayama Castle. There are many more things to see and do in Okayama, from historical attractions, to natural landscapes, to shopping districts, and one-of-a-kind dishes. It is also conveniently located near popular tourist destinations, including Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima.

Over 1.9 million people reside in the cities that make up the Okayama Prefecture. There is technically an Okayama dialect, but the majority of people speak standard Japanese. The prefecture’s culture involves close association with Momotaro, a popular hero of Japanese folklore, who originated from Okayama. The city of Okayama even holds annual festivals to celebrate the tale of Momotaro.