One of the beautiful scenery in Korakuen with Okayama Castle in the background Okayama — **One of the beautiful scenery in Korakuen with Okayama Castle in the background**
Okayama

[Introduction]

Another (lost count of how many) super early morning start, since today we need to travel from Osaka to Okayama for a jam-packed schedule. Fortunately, we travelled by the faster trains; Shinkansen (return trip from Osaka to Okayama) and Limited Express (return trip from Okayama to Kojima).

[Trip Report]
Day 1: Explore around Nagano
Day 2: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Day 3: Matsumoto Castle, Nakamachi District, Matsumoto City Museum of Art and night exploring around Nagano
Day 4: Nagano Zenkoji Temple and Kanazawa Higashi Chaya District
Day 5: Shirakawago
Day 6: Hida-Takayama, Hida-Furukawa, and “Your Name” location spots
Day 7: Kanazawa Omicho Market, Kenrokuen Garden, and Kanazawa Castle Park
Day 8: Explore around Osaka
Day 9: Osaka Shinsekai, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Glion Museum, and Cosmo Tower Observatory
Day 10: Osaka Castle, Gozabune Boat, HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel, and Kuchu Teien Observatory
Day 11: Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkakuji, and Yasaka Shrine
Day 12: Osaka Dotonbori, Kaiyukan, and Shinsekai
Day 13: Kyoto Fushimi Inari, Ginkakuji, and Arashiyama
Day 14: Okayama Korakuen, Okayama Castle, and Kojima Jeans Street [current post]
Day 15: Miyajima
Day 16: Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park, Peace Memorial Museum
Day 17: Yufuin
Day 18: Hakata Ohori Park, Fukuoka Castle Ruins, and Fukuoka Tower
Day 19: Nanzoin Temple

[Travel Date]
2019-10-27 to 2019-11-14

Main street outside of Okayama Station Okayama — **Main street outside of Okayama Station**
Okayama

[Okayama Station 岡山駅]

The main street once out of Okayama Station, pretty empty cause we reach there rather early at 8am or slightly earlier.

You could see some of the iconic landmarks around that area like Momotaro Odori and Momotaro Statue (not sure why I forgot to take this photo!).

Momotaro is a hero in a Japanese folk tale, who is born from a peach, thus the “Momo” in the name.

For raw denim enthusiast, you all should know one of the popular Japanese brand; Momotaro Jeans is based/inspired from.

For more info, do check out Okayama official tourism site.

Momotaro Odori (Momotoro Boulevard) Okayama — **Momotaro Odori (Momotoro Boulevard)**
Okayama

Waiting for the tram Okayama — **Waiting for the tram**
Okayama

After catching the iconic Momotaro landmarks near Okayama Station, we made our way to the tram station nearby as we are taking the tram to Korakuen and Okayama Castle. If I remember correctly it costs ¥100 for adult fare and ¥50 for child fare.

It is a relatively short walk to Korakuen after alighting at the tram station.

Crossing the bridge to Korakuen Okayama — **Crossing the bridge to Korakuen**
Okayama

Statue of a pair of ballet dancers Okayama — **Statue of a pair of ballet dancers**
Okayama

Wife looking at the map of the garden Okayama — **Wife looking at the map of the garden**
Okayama

[Korakuen 後楽園]

We are in Korakuen! The wifey is looking at the map of Korakuen and seeing where to explore first!

FYI, Korakuen is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan 日本三名園. We actually also visited Kenrokuen earlier of our trip, which is also one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.

You can see the photos and journal entry of Kenrokuen over here!

Note: I will be quoting the description of some of the signature spots from the official site.

Korakuen 後楽園 Okayama — **Korakuen 後楽園**
Okayama

[Enyo-tei House 延養亭]

Used as a place to receive the daimyo (Japanese feudal lord) when he visited Korakuen, this house used to be the most important structure in the garden. Although it was burnt to the ground in World War II, in 1960 the best materials and technologies available at the time were used to restore it to the layout it had when the garden was created. It has been built to afford views of scenic spots both within and outside the garden, and former lords have also gazed at the surroundings from here. There are ongoing efforts to preserve this landscape.

[Sawa-no-ike Pond 沢の池]

Different scenic views of the big Sawa-no-ike Pond, and I like there are a few mini islands in the pond. One of the corners has lots of Koi fishes congregating too which we had lots of fun feeding them!

Sawa-no-ike Pond is located in the center of the garden. From the left side, you can see Shima-Jaya Teahouse on Naka-no-Shima Island, Mino-shima Island with its fishing palace, and Jari-jima Island with its beautiful white sand and green pines. A point between Naka-no Shima Island and Mino-shima Island once marked the county boundary between the Jodogun and Minogun areas of Okayama Prefecture, and a stone marker is still in that spot to this day.

Feeding and playing with the Koi fishes Okayama — **Feeding and playing with the Koi fishes**
Okayama

Initially, we are just viewing and enjoying the companionship of the Koi fishes, after a while an elderly couple came to feed the fishes.

They also gave us some of their fish feed to feed those fishes, which is really kind of them.

It was an amusing sight to see the fishes crowding around to eat the food.

Couple photo at the bridge to Naka-no-Shima Island Okayama — **Couple photo at the bridge to Naka-no-Shima Island**
Okayama

A wider view of Sawa-no-ike Pond 沢の池 and the islands Okayama — **A wider view of Sawa-no-ike Pond 沢の池 and the islands**
Okayama

[Rice Fields]

These rice fields serve here to remind us of older times when rice fields were spread throughout the garden. They were made at the end of the Edo Period and modeled after the Zhou Dynasty system for taxing rice fields. The Rice Planting Festival is held on the second Sunday in June every year.

[Tea Plantation]

The Tea Plantation has been in this area since the garden was built, and is in harmony with the gentle curves described by the earthen banks. The tea produced here in the Edo Period was regularly drunk by the daimyo (Japanese feudal lord). The Tea Picking Festival is held on the third Sunday in May every year.

Plum Grove 梅林 Okayama — **Plum Grove 梅林**
Okayama

Mini Water Wheel Okayama — **Mini Water Wheel**
Okayama

Chrysanthemums Okayama — **Chrysanthemums**
Okayama

After the relaxing and scenic sightsee at Korakuen, we make our way en route to Okayama Castle, which is a short walk from Korakuen.

Bamboo trees Okayama — **Bamboo trees**
Okayama

[Okayama Castle 岡山城]

Okayama Castle 岡山城 also known as Crow Castle 烏城 (U-jō) due to its black exterior, although Matsumoto Castle in Nagano prefecture is also known as Crow Castle 烏城, but it’s called karasu-jō in Japanese.

FYI, we also visited Matsumoto Castle in the earlier part of our trip, click here to see the photos and journal entry!

Also quoting the history of the castle from the tourism site.

Okayama Castle was built by Hideie Ukita, the Okayama area’s lord, in 1597 and took eight years to complete. Utilizing the redirected flow of the Asahi River as protection from enemy attacks, Okayama Castle brought many merchants and craftsman to the area and affirmed Okayama City as a true castle town, paving the way for the development of present-day Okayama.
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.

Entrance view of the castle museum Okayama — **Entrance view of the castle museum**
Okayama

Couple pic in front of Okayama Castle Okayama — **Couple pic in front of Okayama Castle**
Okayama

Wife in the olden days transport/carriage Okayama — **Wife in the olden days transport/carriage**
Okayama

We didn’t take photos of the castle museum (similar to Osaka Castle Museum, but on a much smaller scale), other than wife in the carriage for photo op.

Shachihoko Okayama — **Shachihoko**
Okayama

Took a photo of the Shachihoko at the top level of the castle.

Final shot of the castle before leaving Okayama — **Final shot of the castle before leaving**
Okayama

We spent our entire morning exploring Korakuen and Okayama Castle, our next place to visit is Kojima Jeans Street.

But first, we are going to have lunch, which we will walk over while taking in the nice sight of the surrounding.

River beside the castle Okayama — **River beside the castle**
Okayama

Close up shot of the bridge Okayama — **Close up shot of the bridge**
Okayama

Bridges along Asahi River Okayama — **Bridges along Asahi River**
Okayama

Tram with Tigerair ad Okayama — **Tram with Tigerair ad**
Okayama

Chuggington tram Okayama — **Chuggington tram**
Okayama

[NOGAMI のがみ]

While we are walking back to Okayama Station after our lunch (it wasn’t very good, so not worth the effort to blog it), we saw a bakery with a bit of queue which pique our curiosity. Or in Singaporeans’ context; a tingling sense of kiasuism (FOMO).

On a serious note, we are really attracted by the aroma of NOGAMI bakery/bread and also with some queue forming (in contrast it is almost empty on the streets around this time), we decided to give it a try.

So to answer the million-dollar question?

To summarise, it is great! The texture is soft and fluffy and the taste is very buttery in a good way

In short, you can really eat it as it is.

And…since I’m writing this post I went to research this bakery, it is actually a super famous/popular bakery for its soft white bread, also won awards for it.

For reference, I saw a blog post reviewing NOGAMI but one of the Tokyo outlet, but the queue in comparison is insane haha!

I guess this makes up for the not so good lunch, with a random find of an awesome bakery!

Queueing up to order! Okayama — **Queueing up to order!**
Okayama

We bought the half loaf Okayama — **We bought the half loaf**
Okayama

Staircase Okayama — **Staircase**
Okayama

[Kojima Station 児島駅]

Finally arrived at Kojima Station, the Holy Land of Jeans! Or at least Japanese raw denim!

If you didn’t know I’m a denimhead, but more casual in recent years (too much different hobbies and interests).

Of course, no surprise that Kojima Station is decorated in a full denim theme!

Tourist Information Center Okayama — **Tourist Information Center**
Okayama

Tourism recommendation Okayama — **Tourism recommendation**
Okayama

Coin Lockers Okayama — **Coin Lockers**
Okayama

Vending Machine Okayama — **Vending Machine**
Okayama

Multi purpose room Okayama — **Multi purpose room**
Okayama

Holy Land of Jeans - KOJIMA Okayama — **Holy Land of Jeans - KOJIMA**
Okayama

En route to Kojima Jeans Street, it is approximately 15 minutes walk from the station to one of the entrance of Kojima Jeans Street.

So do buffer enough time to return to station to catch your train back to Okayama Station, for us we buffer 30 minutes to be on a safe side.

Breathing in the air of the Holy Land of Jeans Okayama — **Breathing in the air of the Holy Land of Jeans**
Okayama

Old school store feel Okayama — **Old school store feel**
Okayama

[IRON HEART Kojima]

IRON HEART is my favourite raw denim brand in recent years, of course, it will be the first on my list to visit in Kojima, which I spent quite a bit of time (around 45 minutes) talking to the staff and also bought a ultra heavy flannel which I have aim for prior to this trip.

As I wrote this post in June 2021, which is about 1.5 years after this trip to IRON HEART Kojima, I have purchased another 4 items from IRON HEART.

IH-666S-21 Slim Straight Jeans
IH-634S-21 Straight Jeans
IH-526PJ Jacket
IHSH-234-BLK Heavy Kersey Western Shirt
IHSH-232-RED Ultra Heavy Flannel Western Shirt

To be honest, today’s day trip is too packed to be enjoyed (which we regretted packing it so tight), cause that means we only have around 3 hours to explore (inclusive return trip of Okayama Station to Kojima Jeans Street), which is way too tight. Maybe for casual people who just want to see what’s raw denim is about it will be ok, but for denimheads I think buffer at least 5 hours will be better.

To answer denimheads reading this post, I have tried around close to 10 denim brands, but these will be my top 3 as of June 2021:

First sight when you enter the store Okayama — **First sight when you enter the store**
Okayama

Iron Heart motorcycle Okayama — **Iron Heart motorcycle**
Okayama

安田 of IRON HEART KOJIMA (@ironheart_kojima21oz) Okayama — **安田 of IRON HEART KOJIMA (@ironheart_kojima21oz**)
Okayama

Bench outside the store Okayama — **Bench outside the store**
Okayama

One of the main street before entering the official area of Kojima Jeans Street Okayama — **One of the main street before entering the official area of Kojima Jeans Street**
Okayama

Bench and smoking area Okayama — **Bench and smoking area**
Okayama

Like a Jeans flag from my perspective Okayama — **Like a Jeans flag from my perspective**
Okayama

Close up of it Okayama — **Close up of it**
Okayama

[Kojima Jeans Street]

We are officially in Kojima Jeans Street, but a quick disclaimer, we didn’t have time to go in all denim stores look at their wares or took photos of them.

Did purchased quite a few that we didn’t take photos cause we are tight on time.

The huge indigo ice cream decoration outside RIVETS definitely caught our eyes Okayama — **The huge indigo ice cream decoration outside RIVETS definitely caught our eyes**
Okayama

Indigo Ice Cream at ¥400 Okayama — **Indigo Ice Cream at ¥400**
Okayama

Definitely we have to try the indigo ice cream since we saw it! But no, there’s no special taste of indigo (or at least we can’t taste anything special out of it).

Overall it tasted like a decent vanilla flavoured ice cream.

Japan Blue by Collect fabric in roll for sale Okayama — **Japan Blue by Collect fabric in roll for sale**
Okayama

We almost bought it cause my wife could do some sewing, but decided not cause our cheapo sewing machine might not be able to take the thickness, and our luggage is rather packed at this point of our trip already.

Painting on the shutters Okayama — **Painting on the shutters**
Okayama

Posting box at Kojima Jeans Street Okayama — **Posting box at Kojima Jeans Street**
Okayama

Kamikaze Attack Okayama — **Kamikaze Attack**
Okayama

There’s a kennel in front of the store too, but at that time the dog was in the store if I remember correctly.

Not familiar with Big John, other than the “RARE” model which is highly reviewed.

The Strike Gold Okayama — **The Strike Gold**
Okayama

I got a couple of flannel shirts at The Strike Gold too!

Blue Sakura Jeans Okayama — **Blue Sakura Jeans**
Okayama

Another entrance to Kojima Jeans Street with the signature huge jeans sign Okayama — **Another entrance to Kojima Jeans Street with the signature huge jeans sign**
Okayama

We took a quick break around one of the food stalls here, bought some Taiyaki from an elderly couple selling them.

Nice pastel sunset colours Okayama — **Nice pastel sunset colours**
Okayama

Jeans flag Okayama — **Jeans flag**
Okayama

Denim Closet Okayama — **Denim Closet**
Okayama

Crown Label by Momotaro Jeans Okayama — **Crown Label by Momotaro Jeans**
Okayama

As we only walked to Crown Label by Momotaro Jeans (denim suits) and Momotaro Jeans which is situated at another end of Kojima Jeans Street, we really don’t have time to go in and see their stuffs regrettably. Cause we are catching our train back to Okayama at Kojima Station around 4.30pm.

So I quickly took some snaps of both stores and started to make our way back to Kojima Station.

I will say we probably only explored around 50% of the stores in Kojima Jeans Street, hopefully, the next time we can go back there we will buffer 5 hours for it!

Momotaro Jeans Okayama — **Momotaro Jeans**
Okayama

Huge Momotaro Jeans jacket at the side of their store Okayama — **Huge Momotaro Jeans jacket at the side of their store**
Okayama

Momotaro Jeans ad drink dispenser Okayama — **Momotaro Jeans ad drink dispenser**
Okayama

Trying a different route walking back to Kojima Station and taking in the sunset and surroundings Okayama — **Trying a different route walking back to Kojima Station and taking in the sunset and surroundings**
Okayama

Interesting building Okayama — **Interesting building**
Okayama

Monument of a ship? Okayama — **Monument of a ship?**
Okayama

4 metres max clearance written on the bridge Okayama — **4 metres max clearance written on the bridge**
Okayama

More denim theme drinks dispensers Okayama — **More denim theme drinks dispensers**
Okayama

You can see more denim theme stuffs at the train platform in Kojima Station.

Denim seat cushion on every seat Okayama — **Denim seat cushion on every seat**
Okayama

Golden hour light peering in the station platform Okayama — **Golden hour light peering in the station platform**
Okayama

Saying goodbye to Kojima Station Okayama — **Saying goodbye to Kojima Station**
Okayama

Anpanman theme train back to Okayama Station Okayama — **Anpanman theme train back to Okayama Station**
Okayama

Anpanman theme train Okayama — **Anpanman theme train**
Okayama

Bokkee Ramen Okayama — **Bokkee Ramen**
Okayama

[Dinner at Bokkee Ramen]

Bokkee Ramen is an old school ramen restaurant feel in Okayama.

Based on my shortlisted ramen restaurants there are Bokkee Ramen and Yamafuji Ramen, we chose Bokkee Ramen cause it looks meatier and we need all the meat after a long day of walking.

TLDR; Passable bowl of old school ramen with free self-serve kimchi on the side.

Do click on the link for the detailed review and photos.

[Closing]

After dinner, we walked back to Okayama Station and took the shinkansen back to Shin-Osaka Station, and then transferred to the local metro to go back to our hotel.

A very packed day trip, will visit Okayama in future at a much relaxed pace so we can see more especially on the Kojima Jeans Street part.

This marks the end of Day 14, tomorrow we will be going to Hiroshima which is our hotel base for the next 2 nights and a day trip to Miyajima to start.

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Japan 2019 Trip Day 14: Okayama Korakuen, Okayama Castle, and Kojima Jeans Street