Under new owners, the castle continued to grow with buildings expanding with each era, making it one of Japan’s greatest castles. The outer walls of Okayama Castle’s keep (the building at the center of the castle) are made of boards coated with a black lacquer used as a preservative. This black color has earned the castle the nickname “U-jo” (Crow Castle) for its resemblance to a crow’s feathers. Although the tower was designated a national treasure before World War II, the keep was destroyed during the war and rebuilt in 1966. The only original buildings still standing today are the Tsukimi Tower and the Nishinomaru Nishite Yagura (Western Tower), both built for defense. Rising high above Okayama City Center, Okayama Castle is a spectacular sight to behold.

time—as a place of peace. Covering some 14 ha, Korakuen Garden includes wide lawns and Enyo-tei House (built as living quarters) as well as hills, flowers, trees, Seiden (Rice Fields), and a teahouse. The garden incorporates a small stream of clear water pulled from the Asahi River. This stream forms a waterfall and a pond within the garden before returning to the Asahi River. Beautiful trees and flowers can be found throughout the park, offering visitors a unique scene that changes with the season, from cherry blossoms in spring to the brilliant colors of autumn foliage. Despite undergoing slight changes from one feudal lord to the next, the garden largely retains its original form to this day. Don’t miss the limited nighttime illumination offering a completely different landscape from the daytime.