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Okayama is the perfect base for exploring the eastern half of Chugoku, a quite a few train lines converge at JR Okayama Station. So once you've found a hotel that suits you, extend your stay and head out for a few day-trips.

Bizen

Bizen (備前) is an ancient province known for precisely one thing: bizen-yaki (備前焼), the oldest and most revered form of pottery in Japan. You may have seen it for sale in Okayama and Kurashiki. Unglazed and fairly simple in appearance, the pottery gets its cachet from the complex earthy reddish-brown tones that form when the clay is fired. Nearly anything — dishes, cups, vases, bowls, pots — can be made from it, and according to legend it improves the taste of anything you drink from it. Prices are generally steep, with even the simplest tea cups costing several thousand yen and more complex designs going for millions.

Most pottery kilns and shops are near the station of Inbe (伊部). It's connected to Okayama via the small JR Akō Line, which branches off from (and later reconnects to) the San'yo Main Line; trains depart about once per hour and reach Inbe in 35 minutes (¥570).

• <see name="Bizen Pottery Art Museum" alt="備前陶芸美術館 Bizen tōgei bijutsukan" address="1659-6 Inbe" directions="" phone="+81 0869-64-1400" email="" fax="" url="" hours="Tu-Su 9:30AM-4:30PM" price="¥500"> Just to the north of JR Inbe Station, this concrete block displays both old and new examples of Bizen-style pottery. The large gift shop has a fairly representative array of local pieces for sale.</see>

• Many kilns around Inbe will let you try your hand at making your very own bizen-yaki. A chunk of clay, firing, and shipping anywhere in Japan (overseas delivery also possible) will set you back around ¥3000.

• <do name="Bizen-yaki Traditional Pottery Center" alt="備前焼伝統産業会館 Bizen-yaki dentō sangyō kaikan" address="" directions="" phone="+81 0869-64-1001" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""> The easiest place to give the lathe a spin, as it is located right on the third floor of JR Inbe Station. Workshops are held every weekend.</do>

• In October, the Bizen-yaki Festival is held near the station, drawing some 150,000 visitors.

• <see name="Shizutani School" alt="閑谷学校 Shizutani Gakko" address="784 Shizutani" directions="" phone="+81 0869-67-1436" email="" fax="" url="" hours="9AM-5PM" price="¥300"> Ikeda Mitsumasa, a lord of Okayama, commissioned Tsuda Nagatada to build this school. Completed in 1701, it was open not only to samurai but also farmers — exceptionally rare in that period. Now designated a national treasure, the school is still in its original condition, and the shining ebony floor is an impressive sight. Naturally, the roof tiles are made with bizen-yaki. The kai (楷) trees (called "trees of learning") on the grounds are lovely, especially during cherry blossom season and the autumn. It's about 10 minutes by taxi from JR Yoshinaga Station (¥1200), or a longer ride from JR Imbe (¥2500).</see>

Takahashi

Takahashi (高梁市) is on the JR Hakubi Line from Kurashiki (¥570) and Okayama (¥820). Get off at JR Bitchu Takahashi Station.

• <see name="Bitchu Matsuyama Castle" alt="備中松山城 Bitchū Matsuyama-jō" address="" directions="" phone="+81 086-622-1487" url="" hours="" price="¥300" lat="" long=""> Dating back to the seventeenth century, Bitchu Matsuyama is the only original mountain castle left in Japan. It is also the nation's highest castle, built atop Mount Gagyu. You can walk from the station if you have the time and energy (1.5 hours), or let a taxi do most of the work (¥1300). (If you choose the latter, there's still a bit of walking to be done — no vehicles are allowed on the path leading to the castle.) The ascent will take you through the well-preserved and highly impressive castle walls. There are not many artifacts inside, but the uniqueness of the castle and the beauty of the surrounding area more than make up for it. Despite its beauty, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle sees few visitors; all the better for you!</see>

• <see name="Raikyū-ji" alt="頼久寺" address="Raikyuji-cho" directions="" phone="+81 086-622-3516" url="http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~tentyu/" hours="9AM-5PM" price="¥300 adults, ¥200 children" lat="" long=""> A zen temple of the Rinzai sect that dates back to 1504. The beautifully constructed garden within the temple grounds was constructed by Kobori Enshu, one of the founders of the Japanese tea ceremony. It's about 15 minutes from JR Bitchu Takahashi Station.</see>

Tsuyama

Tsuyama (津山) is accessible via the JR Tsuyama Line from Okayama (one hour, ¥1110) and the JR Inbi Line from Tottori (three hours, ¥1450). Direct buses also run from Kyoto and Osaka stations.

During its heyday, Tsuyama Castle was considered to be the most magnificent castle in all of Japan, even more beautiful than Himeji. As Japan came out of isolation, Western learning became increasingly crucial, and scholars from Tsuyama played an important role in translating foreign writings and forming policies to deal with the West. During the Meiji Period, the government ordered Tsuyama Castle demolished.

While not as busy today as it once was, many of the city's historical sites remain well-preserved, making Tsuyama a quiet yet charming place for a visit. Most of the major locations are within walking distance. For a map of the area, visit the information center just to the right of the station. Kakuzan Park will take approximately 20 minutes to reach on foot, and most of the other sites are not far from there.

See

• <see name="Kakuzan Park" alt="鶴山公園 kakuzan koen" address="135 Yamashita" directions="" phone="+81 086-822-4572" url="" hours="8:40AM-5PM" price="¥210" lat="" long=""> This park contains the ruins of Tsuyama Castle. All that remains are the castle walls, but they are well-preserved, and a walk around the castle grounds offers many great views of the city. The small turret was rebuilt in 2004 to commemorate the castle's 400th anniversary. There is also a small area with animals such as white peacocks, a boar, and rabbits. Some consider this park the best place in the entire Chugoku region for sakura season, with over 5,000 cherry blossom trees in and around the park.</see>

• <see name="Shurakuen" alt="衆楽園" address="628 Yamakita" directions="" phone="+81 086-823-6507" url="" hours="7AM-8PM" price="Free" lat="" long=""> Constructed in 1657 by Mori Nagatsugu, one of Tsuyama's feudal lords, Shurakuen was used to entertain guests. The garden still features many of its original structures. </see>

• <see name="Joto Street" alt="城東" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long=""> During the Edo period, Tsuyama was one of the stops for those making the pilgrimage to Izumo Shrine. Joto Street was a key part of the route, and the houses along this street have been preserved so that visitors can get a feel for what the city was like back in its days as a castle town. This is also the best place to purchase souvenirs. The crafts shops that line this street are locally owned and managed, with most of the merchandise hand-made by the shop owners themselves. Look for Tsuyama Neritenjin, clay figures of the Shinto god of learning, and Yokono Washi, the traditional paper of the Yokono area.</see>

• <see name="Former Residence of Mitsukuri Genpo" alt="箕作阮甫旧宅 mitsukuri genpo kyuutaku" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="9AM-4PM" price="" lat="" long=""> Mitsukuri Genpo was an important figure during Japan's early encounters with the West. He translated many Western texts into Japanese and helped create policies in dealing with the Western powers. His former residence is on Joto Street — look for the prominent signs.</see>

• <see name="Tsuyama Archives of Western Learning" alt="津山洋学資料館　tsuyama yogaku shiryokan" address="" directions="" phone="+81 086-823-3324" url="http://www.tvt.ne.jp/~yougaku" hours="Tu-Su 9AM-4:30PM" price="¥150" lat="" long=""> A museum with information and artifacts relating Japan's first contact with the West and Tsuyama's role in that process.</see>

• <see name="Tsuyama Museum of Science Education" alt="つやま自然ふしぎ館 tsuyama shizen fushigikan" address="98-1 Yamashita" directions="" phone="+81 086-822-3518" url="http://www.fushigikan.jp" hours="Tu-Su 9AM-5PM" price="" lat="" long=""> Also known as the "Tsuyama Wonder Museum", this is a great destination for those traveling with children. There are a variety of exhibits, from body organs to wildlife displays.</see>

Eat & Sleep

Tsuyama Senbei is the local snack. It's sweet, unlike most other types of senbei crackers.

• <eat name="FREAK" alt="フリーク" address="23 Mino-machi" directions="" phone="+81 086-823-0035" url="" hours="12-2PM, 7PM-12:30AM" price="¥600-1000" lat="" long=""> A popular ramen restaurant.</eat>

• <sleep name="Hotel Alpha One" alt="ホテル アルファ−ワン" address="190-16 Otani" directions="" phone="+81 086-824-7733" url="http://www.alpha-1.co.jp/tsuyama" checkin="" checkout="" price="Rooms from ¥5900 single" lat="" long=""> Business hotel two minutes on foot from JR Tsuyama Station, with LAN Internet access and standard amenities. There's a restaurant on site as well.</sleep>

• <sleep name="Tsuyama Central Hotel Townhouse" alt="" address="3-2 Omote-machi" directions="" phone="+81 086-823-8888" url="http://breezbay-group.com/tsuyama-c" checkin="" checkout="" price="Rooms from ¥4780 single, includes breakfast" lat="" long=""> Business hotel with a nearby annex if it's over-booked. Also offers LAN Internet access. Cross the river in front of the station and head up to the second traffic light on the main street.</sleep>