### **🏯✨ Okayama Castle Weekend Escape: The "Crow Castle" & Garden Bliss

#summervacay
Perfect for history lovers • garden enthusiasts • off-the-beaten-path explorers*

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### **🌿 DAY 1: Castle Grandeur & Korakuen Magic**
**🚄 9AM:** Bullet train from Osaka (45min) or Kyoto (1.5hrs) → Okayama Station
**🏨 11AM:** Check into **Hotel Granvia Okayama** (connected to station)

**🏯 1PM:**
- **Okayama Castle** entry (¥400, black "Crow Castle" exterior)
- Must-do: **Try on a samurai helmet** (free photo op!)
- **Secret spot:** 6th-floor observation deck for city views

**🌸 3PM:**
- Stroll to **Korakuen Garden** (one of Japan's top 3 gardens, ¥410)
- Matcha break at the garden teahouse

**🍢 7PM:**
- Dinner at **Omicho Market** (try barazushi, Okayama's pressed sushi)
- Nightcap at **Kurashiki Sakura Bar** (20min train away)

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### **🚲 DAY 2: Cycling & Hidden History**
**☀️ 8AM:**
- Rent bikes at **Cycling Terminal Okayama**
- Ride along **Asahi River** to **Hayashibara Museum**

**🖼️ 11AM:**
- **Okayama Prefectural Museum** (free, stunning Nihonga paintings)
- Lunch at **Mamakari-tei** (local sardine specialty)

**⛩️ 2PM:**
- Train to **Kibitsu Shrine** (15min, famous covered corridor)
- **Denim shopping** (Okayama = Japan's jeans capital!)

**🍶 7PM:**
- Sake tasting at **Kibi no Sato Brewery**
- **Okayama Castle Illumination** (seasonal)

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### **🎎 DAY 3: Cultural Farewell**
**🍙 9AM:**
- Breakfast at **Marugame Seimen** (udon chain originated here)
- Last castle photos in morning light

**🚲 11AM:**
- Final bike ride to **Tsukimi Bridge**
- Pick up mompe (indigo textiles) souvenirs

**🚄 2PM:** Depart with denim and garden memories

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### **📸 Must-Capture Moments:**
1. **Black castle + Korakuen's greenery** contrast
2. **Golden shachihoko** (castle roof ornaments)
3. **Kibitsu Shrine's endless corridor**
4. **Asahi River cherry blossoms** (spring)

**💡 Pro Tips:**
✔️ **Combined ticket** for castle + garden (¥560)
✔️ **Weekdays** = empty castle corridors
✔️ **April** = Okayama Sakura Festival

**#okayamacastle #japanhiddengems #korakuengarden #offthebeatenpath**

🏯 **Save this for your cultural getaway!**