History / Culture / Tour Spots in Around Bizen and Ushimado Area

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Around Bizen and Ushimado

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Special Historic Site Former Shizutani School

4.5

107 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Bizen Shizutani 784

Former Shizutani School is a Historic Structure designated as a Special Historic Site. It was built in 1670 by the local feudal lord, Ikeda Mitsumasa, and it is the oldest remaining public school building in the world. In addition to the lecture hall, which has been designated a National Treasure, and in 2015, Japan Heritage designed it as No. 1 in the category Group of Remnants of Early Modern Japan’s Educational Heritage.

The school is located in Bizen City which is in the eastern part of Okayama Prefecture. During the Edo era the Ikeda Family was the feudal lord of Bizen. Shizutani Gakkou was established in 1670 in...
Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum

4.5

43 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okayama Pref. Setouchishi Osafunechouosafune 966

This Japanese sword museum is located in the Osafune area of Osafune-cho, Setouchi City. It exhibits Japanese swords with various themes including Bizen swords from Osafune, an area that had long flourished as a Japanese sword production area. In addition, there is also a Japanese sword workshop on the premises, and besides being able to see how Japanese swords are made, you can make reservations to experience making paper knives and small knives, and also lectures to learn how to care for Japanese swords.

A couple of days ago we went to Okayama to visit friends and they very kindly took us to the village as they knew I was interested in Japanese swords and history. It was a marvellous experience, we...
Ushimado Marine Culture Museum

3.5

11 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okayama Setouchi-shi Ushimadocho Ushimado 3056

Located a 15-minute drive from the Oku Interchange on the Okayama Blue Line. A museum with exhibits showing the boat shaped portable shrines used in the Autumn Festival and materials related to the Korean delegation to Japan during the Edo period when they made port in Ushimado. The museum uses the former Ushimado Police Headquarters (a Registered Cultural Property of Japan) known for its white walls and stained glass in the entranceway. The giant Japanese sago palm tree outside the entrance is estimated to be over 150 years old. The boat shaped floats with beautifully carved and detailed dragon head are registered as Important Tangible Ethnic Cultural Properties of the Prefecture and there are two on display here in the museum.

元々は明治20年に建てられた岡山県警西大寺警察署の分署として建てられ、その後昭和52年まで牛窓警察署だった建物です。かなり趣きのある建物で、前には大きなソテツの木が植えられています。今は、江戸時代に立ち寄った朝鮮通信使と牛窓のだんじりに関する資料が展示されています。
Isonokami Futsumitama-jinja Shrine

4.0

9 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Akaiwashi Ishikami 1448

This shrine is located in Ishikami, Akaiwa City. Besides being dedicated to Susanoo no Mikoto (Shinto god of the sea and storms), it also enshrines the sword the god used to vanquish Yamato no Orochi (legendary eight-headed and eight-tailed dragon) as an object of worship. The main shrine is located on the summit of the mountain behind the shrine.

明治時代まではスサノオがヤマタノオロチを退治したときに用いた剣「天羽々斬剣（あめのはばきりのつるぎ）」がご神体だったという。変わった神社名だが、この剣は「布都斯魂剣（ふつしみたまのつるぎ）」と呼ばれることもあるから、これが起源かもしれない。さらに天羽々斬剣は最古の神宮とされる石上神宮（奈良県天理市）に移されており、「石上」の名も何か共通項がありそうだ。場所は自動車でなければ参拝が難しい山中だ。さ...
Honrenji Temple

4.0

11 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Setouchi-shi Ushimadocho Ushimado 3194

This ancient Nichiren Buddhist temple is situated in a fishing village's residential area a 15-minute drive from the Oku Interchange on the Okayama Blue Line. The temple's reception hall was used to lodge Korean delegations to Japan in the Edo period and has a garden which records state was created by the celebrated artist Kobori Enshu. The temple's wooden tile hip roofed main temple, Banjindo hall, and unusual four-legged Chumon gate have been designated National Important Cultural Properties, while its three-story pagoda and Soshido hall dedicated to the temple's founder have been designated Important Cultural Properties by the prefecture. In October 2017, the temple was included in the UNESCO Memory of the World heritage listing concerning records of Korean envoys to Japan.

牛窓のしおまち唐琴通りから石段を上がっていったところにある本蓮寺で、三重の塔が遠くからも見え、牛窓の古い街並みに映えてます。山門を上がると本堂、番神堂、祖師堂などがあり、広い寺院。海辺にある三重塔は全国でもここだけとのこと。
Bizen Latin America Museum

4.0

10 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okayama Bizen Hinasecho Hinase 241-10

A two-minute walk from the Hinase Sogoshisho-mae bus stop or eight-minutes from the JR Hinase Station. This art museum is located close to the Bizen Private Hinase junior high school. As the name suggests they feature exhibits focusing on Latin American Culture which isn't very well covered in Japan. One of the landmarks of the museum is the outer wall which is covered in nearly 16,000 pieces of Bizen-ware pottery. The principle part of their collection was donated by the late Morishita Seiichi, some 2100 pieces with a focus on earthenware, clay figures, and textiles made in the ancient American continent. The museum is normally open on weekends and holidays but is open on other occasions as well.

我が国唯一の古代中南米美術専門美術館。オリエント美術館、マコンデ美術館、ルーブル彫刻美術館に匹敵する地域限定一点突破型ミュージアム。ペッカリーとホセ艦長のさえずる文明展を見に行きました。入館料７００円、ＪＡＦ等割引で６００円。ＱＲコードでさえずるボトルや土偶の音を聴いてもらえるコーナーが何か所もあり、スマホにＱＲコードリーダーをセットして回ると効果的。ガラケー保有者には吹けど踊らず。写真撮影(ノー...
Yumeji Art Museum Yumeji Seika and Shonen Sanso

3.5

7 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okayama Pref. Setouchishi Okuchouhonjou

The birthplace and home where the well-known Taisho Roman poet, painter, and artist Yumeji Takehisa lived until the age of 16. A traditional Japanese home with a thatched roof built some 250 years ago, both the interior and the exterior are preserved in the state they were in when Yumeji Takehisa lived here. The Syonen Sansou was designed by Takehisa and served as his Tokyo studio and home; on the artist’s 95th birthday in 1979, the structure was restored with the help of Takehisa’s second son, Fujihiko. Hanging scrolls, folding screens, sketches, and other works by Takehisa are displayed inside.

竹久夢二の美術館、公園に隣接してかわいらしく残されています。竹久夢二ファンには最高なのでしょう。公園と土産物屋さんでゆっくりできます。
Bizen City Museum of History

3.5

6 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Bizen Higashikatakami 385

A five-minute walk from JR Bizen-Katakami Station. This museum exhibits local history, folklore, and culture. It's organized around the three themes of Folk Customs, Literature, and Ceramics. In the Folk Customs room you'll be introduced to the lifestyles of the locals and the tools that they used in their daily lives such as paper-enclosed lanterns, lamps, and stone mortars. In the Literature room you'll learn about local authors who hail from Bizen City. The Ceramics room features a cross section model of an ascending kiln and Bizen-ware pottery. Twice a year they hold special exhibitions that let you get in touch with the history and culture of Bizen City from all angles.

アクセスは、さほど良いとは言えないです。展示物なども、分かりやすく並べてありました。資料も、色んな切り口から、専門的な解説をしてありましたので、深い知識が、得られました。
Kakonoura Museum of History

3.5

6 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okayama Bizen Hinasecho Hinase 801-4

A five-minute drive from JR Hinase Station or 10-minutes from the Bizen Interchange. To get to the museum travel west from the station along National Route 250, turn left as if you were going to the fishing port, and then continue just a bit further. The museum is split into two sections, a literary hall and history hall. The literary hall exhibits the works of various artists including painters, children's literature writers, and novelists from the Meiji period to the present. The history hall introduces the history of Hinase which was once served as Kakoura seashore where people were in charge of operating the ships and suppling the provisions and has model ships and rigging on display. They also have a local gallery and tea room available for rent.

港町として繁栄した日生の街の歴史と文化を展示していて、入場は無料。五味の市の向かい側、海の駅しおじのバーベキューコーナーの隣なので、買い物、食事のついでに立ち寄るとよい。古民家を活用してあり、海運の歴史と文学の2棟に分かれている。江戸時代の船の模型の展示がある。
Setouchi City Museum of Art

4.0

3 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okayama Pref. Setouchishi Ushimadochoushimado 4911 Setouchi City Hall Ushiwa City Market 3/4 F

This art museum is located along Prefectural Route 28 in the Ushimado-cho area of Ushimado, Setouchi City. It exhibits works including those by the Western painter Satake Toku, known as the “olive painter,” who left paintings with olive garden motifs from his atelier in the olive gardens of Ushimado.

西大寺駅から路線バスを利用して行きまさした。鉄道利用の場合はバスを利用するしかないようです。『驚愕の超写実展』が開催されていました。写真のように綺麗な作品が多く展示してありました○
Ushimado Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Setouchishi Ushimadochoushimado 2147

Ushimado Shrine is located in Ushimado, Ushimado -cho in the city of Setouchi. Some of the earliest members of the Imperial family are enshrined here, including Emperor Ojin and Empress Jingu. A long flight of stone steps leads up from the torii gate near Ushimado Swimming Beach to the shrine, and on the way up the steps, there is an observation point where one can enjoy the view of the ocean off Ushimado.
Tokeido Station Shop

4.0

2 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Pref. Bizenshi Imbe 1527

This pottery has been operating for 500 years since the Muromachi period to the present. It is one of the six main families of Bizenyaki pottery, and sells works of the 17th generation artist, Touzan Kimura, and 18th generation artist, Hideaki Kimura. The shop deals in a wide range of items such as accessories and tableware, and tea ceremony accessories. Visitors can experience pottery making (reservations required).

伊部駅からまっすぐ通る通り沿いに大きな煙突があり、通りに面していて、入りやすいです。普段使いできそうな和食器がたくさんあるので、お土産に適しています。
FAN Museum (Fujiwara Kei Memorial house)

3.0

1 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okayama Bizen Honami 3868

A two-minute walk from the Koa-mae bus stop or a 15-minute drive from the Wake Interchange. To reach the museum travel west from the Bizen Interchange along National Route 250 and then turn right at the intersection in front of Fujiwara Kei Memorial House Museum. The museum was originally a memorial hall displaying the works of Fujiwara Kei, a Bizen-ware pottery artist who was recognized as a National Important Intangible Cultural Asset, it is now a gallery boasting an international scale displaying Art Olympia award winning works. They hold special events built around the concept of seeing, experiencing, and making including hands-on workshop experiences and tea ceremonies held with tools made by Living National Treasures.

藤原啓先生の作品をたくさん観ることができます。ＦＡＮ美術館と併設、急坂を上がって左に駐車場があって、その右にＦＡＮ美術館、ここで受付して料金支払い、すぐ下の敷地内にあります。静かでゆっくり観ることが出来ました。
Ushimado Torodo Lantern Tower

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Setouchi-shi Ushimadocho Ushimado 2582

Located a 15-minute drive from the Oku Interchange on the Okayama Blue Line. It was built during the Edo period as a nighttime landmark when more ships sailed the Seto Inland Sea. It was constructed on the orders of Ikeda Tsunamasa, then ruler of the Bizen Domain, and faces the Karakoto no Seto Strait, the route ships would take when making port in Ushimado Harbor. After the Meiji Restoration it was demolished except for the stone base but was restored in 1988 based on illustrations from the Edo period. Of the four lantern towers built during the same period the only ones remaining are this one in Ushimado and another in Otabu.
Machikado Muse Ushimado Cultural Museum

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Setouchi-shi Ushimadocho Ushimado 2835-1

Located a 15-minute drive from the Oku Interchange on the Okayama Blue Line. It was originally built in 1915 as the headquarters for the Ushimado Bank and is a registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. It operated as a branch of Ushimado Bank until 1980 and is now used as a cultural museum. The outer walls are constructed of red brick with the foundation and window frames made of granite. This eye-catching red and white contrast is a prime example of Giyofu architecture style which blends Japanese and western styles. Inside you'll find displays including photographs of classic Ushimado and materials related to the traditional Shishikoma event, and you are free to explore the museum.
Kumayama Remains

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Akaiwa-shi Okuyoshihara 1521

Located a 30-minute drive from the Wake Interchange on the Sanyo Expressway. The masonry remains, which have been a subject of worship since ancient times, lie at the peak of Mr. Kuma, 508.6 meters above sea level. There stands a three-tiered step-pyramid with the sides of the bottommost level measuring 7.8 meters long. In the center of all sides of the second level there's a small rectangular alcove called a Gan that is thought to have been a small shrine where offerings were stored including Buddhist statues. This style of archeological site is rarely seen and is thought to have been a type of Nara period pagoda. There's a hiking trail to the summit of Mt. Kuma that visitors can use.
Shizutani Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Bizen Shizutani 784

A five-minute drive from JR Yoshinaga Station. This shrine is located on the site of the former Shizutani School. In 1686 the spirit and image of Ikeda Mitsumasa, the founder of the Shizutani School and first lord of the Bizen Okayama Domain, were enshrined and the shrine took the name of Houretsushi. In 1875 Mitsumasa's grandfather Terumasa and father Toshitaka were also enshrined in the shrine and the name was changed to Shizutani Shrine. Due to the Confucian Temple standing to the west the shrine is also sometimes called the Eastern-Temple. The eight buildings of the shrine including the hall of worship, hall of offerings, and inner sanctuary have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The gilt bronze image of Mitsumasa enshrined in the inner sanctuary was cast in 1704.
Seibyo (Sacred Hall Which is Dedicatio to Confucius)

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Bizen Shizutani 784

A five-minute drive from JR Yoshinaga Station. A mausoleum dedicated to Confucius, father of Confucianism, located on the site of the former Shizutani School that was founded by the Okayama Domain during the early Edo period. As the most important facility it is located in the center at the highest point and a gilt bronze statue of Confucius is enshrined in the Taiseiden main hall. Every October they hold the Sekisai Ceremony to honor the virtues of Confucius. To the left and right of the stone staircase leading to the temple are a pair of Chinese Pistache trees called the Trees of Learning. In early November the leaves on the trees change color with the left tree's leaves turning scarlet and the right tree's leaves turning a yellow-tinged pink.
Wake Shrine

3.5

21 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Wake-gun Wakecho Fujino 1385

閑静な山間に位置する神社。決して大きくはないが、静謐な空気が漂う。アクセスは極めて悪く、公共交通機関は電車もバスも極端に少ないので行くなら車が断然お勧め。
Amatsu Shrine Office

4.0

16 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Okayama Bizen Inbe 628

備前焼の狛犬に迎えられ、中に進むと、門も備前焼の屋根と壁、本殿も備前焼が使われた建物で、風情がありました。階段が多いので、ちょっとした運動になります。本殿の裏の山に展望台があります。

Okayama Around Bizen and Ushimado

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Okayama Areas

Overshadowed by Hiroshima to the west and the Kansai region to the east, Okayama is an easy spot to miss but a nature-rich gem where the Seto Inland Sea laps at its toes and peach and grape farms complete its interior. One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, Koraku-en in Okayama city is well worth a visit before progressing to Kurashiki, where preserved wooden Edo buildings line the picturesque canal.