Okayama Korakuen Sushi Making and Kurashiki Walking from Okayama
Overview
Available languages
7 hours 40 minutes
Mobile ticket
・Take a thorough tour of Korakuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter.
・Experience making "kakushi sushi" (seafood chirashi sushi), a local dish from Okayama with a history of about 300 years, invented during the Edo period (1603-1868), and enjoy lunch.
・At Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, after touring the Inoue House which is one of the largest, most iconic townhouses in the Important Traditional Building Preservation District, freely enjoy exploring Kurashiki's traditional townscape with a sightseeing coupon which can be used for your choice among admission to the Ukiyo-e Museum, eating out on the go, or a simple experience activity.
・Please book this Okayama round-trip tour if you have a JR Pass.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All seats in the Okayama/Kurashiki area are unreserved, as public transportation is used. Please note that seating is not guaranteed
The order of activities and arrival times may differ depending on road conditions and congestion at destinations
Kurashiki Sightseeing Coupon applicable facilities and shops may be subject to change
If the Inoue House cannot be entered, the tour will visit the Former Ohara House or the Ohashi House instead
As this is a walking tour, please wear shoes and clothing that are suitable for walking. The total walking distance for this tour is approximately 3 miles
For lunch, the menu includes kakushi sushi made by customers during the experience, side dish, red miso soup, and dessert
For those who would like a lact-ovo‐vegetarian meal (vegetables will be used instead for kakushi sushi; eggs and dairy products are used in other menu items), please be sure to request at the time of booking. If requests are not provided in advance, same-day changes cannot be accepted
Allergy-friendly, halal, gluten-free, and other meal requests are not available
Children up to 5 years old may join free of charge, but will not be provided with lunch and Kurashiki Sightseeing Coupons
Parental permission in writing is necessary for all tour participants under the age of eighteen. Any participant under the age of fifteen or not yet enrolled in middle school must be joined by a parent or guardian on the tour
Tour's total duration is 7 hours 40 minutes, although the total duration listed in the itinerary is 4 hours 30 minutes. The remaining hours are allotted for travel time.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter
Admission fees and transportation costs included in the tour
Kurashiki Sightseeing Coupon
Kakushi Sushi Making Experience and Lunch
Fees other than those listed in Includes
What To Expect
Hop on the charming Okayama Electric Tramway at Okayama Station! After a quick 4-minute ride to Shiroshita Station, walk to Okayama Korakuen Garden
Okayama Korakuen Garden
One of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, Okayama Korakuen is a beautiful landscaped garden from the Edo period (1603-1868) covering an area of approximately 13 hectares. With vast ponds, elegant teahouse, and lovely seasonal flowers, the garden showcases the changing atmosphere throughout the four seasons for visitors to enjoy. The neighboring Okayama Castle is also known as "Crow Castle" due to its black exterior, and is quite spectacular when viewed from across the garden.
Options
Round Trip from Okayama
Lunch: If you would like a vegetarian meal, please indicate them when booking. On the day of the tour, the meal can NOT be changed.
Please note: Vegan, allergy-friendly, halal, gluten-free, and other meal requests are not available.
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Perfect Blend of Culture, Scenery, and Sushi!
W9190XQ,
May 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Visiting Okayama Korakuen was a breathtaking experience — the gardens are beautifully maintained and full of history and charm. We then had a hands-on sushi-making session where we learned to create traditional Japanese sushi, which was both fun and delicious! In the afternoon, we explored the lovely historical town of Kurashiki, with its picturesque streets and unique atmosphere. The entire day was well-organized and incredibly memorable. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy both culture and local flavors in one tour!
Korakuen's Beauty, Michelin-level Sushi & Hidden Villas – A Perfect Okayama Day
I6148JH ,
May 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This trip was absolutely wonderful! First, we visited Okayama Korakuen Garden. Every design shows great ingenuity, and with our guide Mr. Otsu's (I hope I got the name right) excellent guidance and explanations! The landscapes there were breathtaking - the houses, trees, rivers... For lunch, I must say it was the most delicious sushi I've had since coming to Japan! The fish was incredibly fresh with perfect texture. After that, we went to a traditional Japanese-style villa - this was my favorite part! It was so elegant and really makes you appreciate the art of living. Overall, I think this is a perfect trip for all types of travelers (whether solo, with friends or family), with the best guide (he's so hospitable and kind, which made our experience even better) and the best group members!
Okayama(Kurashiki)-Hidden Gem spot in Japan
Kyi Phyu M,
May 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First of all, the tour is just perfect arranged and perfect for one day trip in okayama. Korakuen is truly relaxing and it will blow your mind with tranquility and Japanese culture immersed in it. Kakushi sushi experience is something you should have in your life at least once. The sashimi itself is delicious indeed and the staff and the environment makes the dining expedience unforgettable. Personally, Kurashiki is the highlight and I strongly recommend it to those who love historical places but don’t want crowds like kyoto. We also received coupons which can be used in certain shops and museums. With average number of tourists, the place is filled with tasty roadside stalls, denim factories and interesting little museums, which is perfect for tabearuki(eating while walking) and explore and enjoy Japanese culture. Plus, the guide ensure the tour to go on smoothly and will give you the best experience. You can also make friends with like-minded people by joining the tour.
Calm vibe, Hidden Sushi, good talk, Okayama lowkey hits different
Cctdr,
May 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Calm, less tourist version of Kyoto vibe tour. Two must go spots of Okayama but what’s worth is Hidden Sushi (Okayama specific dish) making class+lunch and needless to say it’s delicious ofc if you can eat sashimi . The tour of main locations pretty much seems normal ( worry free navigations and ready tickets with formal explanations of all places) unless you started asking a bit further as the guide himself is local Okayama person. I’m glad to ask him some random topics and ended up getting very good tips for my next day trip within the region. Personal favorite is dismantling no nail wooden beam model in Inoue house in Kurashiki Bikan. Wish that we could have more time to roam around Kurashiki Bikan .
An interesting trip to Okayama.
H4118PS ,
May 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a wonderful trip — I met interesting friends, enjoyed unique Japanese cuisine, and admired beautiful scenery. All in all, it was an amazing experience.
A Happy Trip to Okayama
L9241WS,
May 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Today，I visited Okayama and had a wonderful time! The city was sunny and peaceful. First, I explored the beautiful Korakuen Garden, one of Japan’s top three gardens. The flowers and ponds were breathtaking. Next, I saw the famous black Okayama Castle, standing proudly nearby. I also tried delicious local food—Barazushi and juicy Okayama peaches. The people were friendly, and the atmosphere was relaxing. Before leaving, I bought Momoji Manju as souvenirs. Okayama was charming, and I can’t wait to visit again!
Hatsuokayama.
Dream13122782946,
May 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00He kindly showed me around and I enjoyed visiting landmarks in Okayama. I want to come back next time. It was an opportunity to be able to fully enjoy carefully to the extent that I thought
Fun day in Okayama
イーウェイリ,
May 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Kourakuen has an amazing and wide landscape to stroll around. Lunch was amazing and delicious, but overall the procedures (preparation of cutlery etc) were slower than I expected. It took us about 20-30 minutes until we could finally eat after sitting down at the table. I particularly liked the visit to Inoue's residence since there were very cool props laid out all over the house and great explanation from Inoue-san himself. The free time in Kurashiki was also very fun since there were many coupons that allow us to experience stuff (eg. murasuzume making) for free. Overall, it was a fruitful experience, but expect to walk a lot during the tour.
Awesome day in Okayama and Kurashiki.
loysl636,
May 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A really great experience! Every aspect of the day was interesting in its own way, and my only regret is that the tour was too short - especially in Kurashiki... It was my second time there, and it was even more fun than the first!
the tour of kourakuenn garden and kurashiki mikann spot
Vacation19197033746,
May 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00On our one-day trip, we started the morning by going from Okayama Station to Korakuen Garden, one of the three most famous Japanese-style gardens in Japan. Korakuen is incredibly beautiful and showcases the key characteristics of traditional Japanese gardens. At noon, we went to a restaurant near the station to experience making sushi. This sushi-making experience was quite different from the usual methods and provided a completely new perspective. I believe everyone who participated found it enjoyable. The sushi we made was also very delicious—perfect for enjoying in hot weather. In the afternoon, we traveled from Okayama Station to the Bikan Historical Quarter in Kurashiki. There, we visited the Inoue family residence, which has been preserved since the Edo period. It gave us a glimpse into traditional Japanese residential architecture, especially the mortise and tenon wooden joint structure that was introduced from China, which was particularly fascinating. This was a very pleasant and memorable trip.
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