🕓 2025/5/31
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About Okayama Prefecture:
Okayama Prefecture is located in the southeastern part of the Chugoku region, offering a captivating blend of the tranquil Seto Inland Sea, the rich natural landscapes of the Hiruzen Highlands and Kibi Plateau, and historically romantic castle towns with beautifully preserved old districts. The prefecture is home to Korakuen, one of Japan's three most celebrated gardens, and Okayama Castle, known for its striking black exterior. In the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, traditional merchant storehouses and townhouses from the Edo period line the streets, preserving the historical atmosphere to this day.
For tourists, the prefecture boasts a diverse range of distinctive attractions where history, nature, and art intertwine. These include Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, known as the "castle in the sky," the art islands of Inujima and Naoshima floating in the Seto Inland Sea, and the Mimasaka Three Hot Springs of Yunogo, Yubara, and Okutsu, each offering unique bathing experiences.
When visiting such a charming region as Okayama Prefecture, below we introduce three carefully selected luxury accommodations that promise to provide a truly special stay.
Carefully Curated Japanese-Style Inns in Okayama Prefecture: Top 3 Selections
1. Okutsuso – A Registered Tangible Cultural Property Inn at the “Meisen Kagiyu” Hot Spring
■ The Appeal of “Meisen Kagiyu Okutsuso”
Okutsuso stands serenely in Okutsu Onsen—one of the three celebrated hot-spring resorts of Mimasaka—in the town of Kagamino, Okayama Prefecture. Established in 1927, the inn has more than ninety years of history and has been designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Its most captivating feature is the “Kagiyu,” a bath that, according to legend, the ruling lord of the former Tsuyama Domain loved so deeply he kept it locked for his private use, along with a remarkably rare spring that bubbles up directly from beneath the bathers’ feet.
1. Historical Value and Architectural Beauty as a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property:
Built in 1927 (Showa 2), Okutsuso preserves the charm of traditional wooden construction and was officially added to Japan’s Register of Tangible Cultural Properties in November 2018. Guests are welcomed by a karahafu-style gabled entrance, and once inside they find latticework windows, coffered ceilings, and other details that instantly conjure the atmosphere of early-Showa Japan.
The inn’s cultural weight is further heightened by its association with numerous literary and artistic luminaries, most notably the renowned printmaker Shikō Munakata. Balancing the preservation of this heritage with contemporary comfort underscores the proprietors’ dedication: the cultural-property status elevates the inn’s prestige while simultaneously demanding meticulous upkeep and thoughtful integration of modern amenities.
2. A Bathing Experience in a “Miracle Spring” That Bubbles Up from Beneath Your Feet:
Okutsuso’s crowning glory is its ashimoto-yushutsu spring, where mineral-rich water rises naturally through the floor of the bath—an exceedingly rare phenomenon in Japan. Because the water never comes into contact with air, guests can savor it in its purest form: an alkaline simple spring that naturally contains radium.
The flagship bath, “Kagiyu,” is built on what was once the Yoshii River’s bed, and the underlying rock still connects to the river today. At a natural temperature of 42.6 °C, the water flows freely with neither dilution nor heating, ensuring a 100 percent unadulterated experience. Praised for promoting clear, supple skin, the spring is also said to alleviate rheumatism, neuralgia, and general fatigue—qualities that leave a lasting impression on visitors.
3. Heart-Warming Local Cuisine Showcasing Regional Ingredients and Seasonal Flavors
Meals at Okutsuso revolve around ingredients sourced primarily from Okayama Prefecture and the immediate Okutsu region, expressing the head chef’s heartfelt devotion to local gastronomy. Signature dishes include “Sozuri Nabe,” a traditional hotpot in which meat is shaved from beef bones, and shabu-shabu featuring Chiya-gyu—Okayama’s premier brand of wagyu—cooked directly in the medicinal hot-spring water.
Long-standing favorites such as “Jōyo-mushi” and “Gojō-mushi,” both steamed in the spring water since the inn’s founding, offer deep, comforting flavors. Depending on the season, guests may enjoy kaiseki courses showcasing luxury ingredients like matsutake mushrooms, pufferfish, snow crab, or wild boar, ensuring that the tastes of all four seasons can be savored in full.
4. Refined Hospitality in a Tranquil Setting Cherished by Literary and Artistic Figures
The inn holds a special place in the heart of world-famous printmaker Shikō Munakata, who left behind works that are proudly displayed throughout the property, lending an unmistakable cultural aura. With just eight guest rooms and a policy of admitting only guests of junior-high-school age and older, Okutsuso guarantees a calm, adult-oriented atmosphere.
Visitors consistently applaud the staff for their thoughtful, discreet service, praising a perfect balance between attentive care and respectful distance. Across the road, a lovingly restored kominka now serves as the lounge “Samyute,” where overnight guests may enjoy complimentary beverages—a delightful way to unwind after a restorative soak.
■ Access to “Meisen Kagiyu Okutsuso”
- Official website: http://okutsuso.com/
- Access: Approximately 60 minutes by Chutetsu Bus from JR Tsuyama Station; alight at the “Okutsu Onsen” stop, lo
cated directly in front of the inn - Address: 48 Okutsu, Kagamino-chō, Tomata-gun, Okayama 708-0503, Japan
- Google Maps：https://maps.app.goo.gl/QYaHMiSMrUYqy1bA8
2. YORUYA
■ The Appeal of “YORUYA”:
Standing quietly in the Higashi-machi quarter of Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical District, YORUYA opened its doors on November 14, 2024. The property occupies a 110-year-old former kimono-merchant villa that has been reborn as a 13-room culinary inn. Interior design was entrusted to SIMPLICITY, while architectural renovations were led by Takeo Imai Architects, resulting in an elegant fusion of historical ambience and contemporary refinement.
1. A Culinary Inn Where History and Modernity Intersect in the Kurashiki Bikan District
Nestled amid the white-plastered storehouses that evoke Kurashiki’s Edo-period heritage, YORUYA sits on land once governed directly by the Tokugawa shogunate (tenryō) and later prospered through the spinning industry in the Meiji era.
The inn’s name alludes to both the way countless stories have been “twisted together” to weave Kurashiki’s history and the desire to spin new tales here in the future. By blending seamlessly into its historic surroundings, the inn offers guests a place of calm where the town’s past, the building’s memories, and the inn’s future overlap.
2. Revitalizing a 110-Year-Old Townhouse Through Sophisticated Architectural Design
Originally built as the secondary residence of the kimono shop “Jūrokuya” (the Namba family) in the late Meiji period, the structure retains its age-old beams, columns, and earthen walls. SIMPLICITY’s spatial design and Takeo Imai Architects’ expertise in renovating traditional buildings have introduced new wings of plaster and brick that harmonize perfectly with the existing framework.
Guest rooms bear names—such as “Hashi” (Chopsticks)—that echo Kurashiki culture and the inn’s concept, and they range from suites with semi-open-air baths overlooking the courtyard to other uniquely styled spaces.
3. A Gastronomic Journey Guided by the 24 Solar Terms and 72 Micro-Seasons
Proudly calling itself a “culinary inn,” YORUYA, under Executive Chef Niimi, decides its ingredients and cooking methods not simply by the four seasons but by Japan’s nuanced 24 sekki and 72 kō divisions of the year. Daily-landed seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, vegetables and beef from Okayama, and other ultra-fresh local produce shine in dishes where even the basics—soy sauce, dashi, salt, vinegar, and ponzu—are house-made and adjusted to seasonal conditions.
Dinner is served exclusively at a counter, allowing the chef to fine-tune flavors through direct dialogue with guests while crafting Japanese cuisine that reflects Kurashiki’s terroir.
4. A Community-Friendly Wine Bar and Guest Rooms that Promise Premium Comfort
At the entrance, “Bar YORUYA” welcomes both overnight guests and local patrons. Here, visitors can sample a broad selection of wines—from natural to classic—including bottles from Okayama’s increasingly acclaimed wineries, alongside regional sake.
The inn offers 13 rooms across five categories—standard, suite, and maisonette—ranging from 30 m² to 76 m². Whether featuring exposed historical beams, lofty ceilings, or abundant natural light, every room is uniquely appointed to ensure a refined stay in Kurashiki.
■ Access to “YORUYA”:
- Official website: https://yoruya-kurashiki.com/
- Access: Approximately 20 minutes on foot from JR Kurashiki Station
- Address: 2-7 Higashi-machi, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama 710-0053, Japan
- Google Maps : https://maps.app.goo.gl/KkTTUBmw5kVdoAAY7
3. The Shiroyama Terrace Tsuyama Bettei
■ The Appeal of “The Shiroyama Terrace Tsuyama Bettei”
Opened in 2019, The Shiroyama Terrace Tsuyama Bettei stands in central Tsuyama, directly facing Kakuzan Park, home to the Tsuyama Castle Ruins. Embracing the concept of a “Mimasaka Guest House,” the hotel honors Tsuyama’s deep-rooted history and culture while delivering modern comfort. From the rooftop open-air bath, “Tsuyama Onsen Castle-View SPA,” guests enjoy breathtaking panoramas, and the hotel’s cuisine—built around local ingredients—adds further allure.
1. A “Mimasaka Guest House” That Sustains Tsuyama’s History and Culture
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Drawing inspiration from Shūraku-en—the nationally designated scenic garden where the lords of the Tsuyama Domain once entertained visitors—the hotel aims to serve as a contemporary reception hall for distinguished guests. Respecting the city’s past as a vital post town on the Izumo Highway and a center of Rangaku (Dutch studies) from the Edo to Meiji periods, the property seeks to remain open and accessible to the local community.
Guided by its tagline, “Gather at the Villa,” the hotel invites travelers to immerse themselves in a stay that connects them with Tsuyama’s living heritage from a vantage point overlooking the castle ruins.
2. A Panoramic Hot Spring Overlooking Tsuyama Castle and Guest Rooms for Every Need
Perched on the eighth floor, the open-air bath “Tsuyama Onsen Castle-View SPA” is fed by Dodo Onsen, famed for its skin-softening waters. Guests can soak while gazing down on the sweeping stone walls of Tsuyama Castle. Between sunset and about 10:00 p.m., the illuminated ruins cast a dreamlike glow across the bath.
With 65 guest rooms in 11 configurations, the hotel accommodates a spectrum of travelers—ranging from special suites with terrace baths to twin and double rooms suited to business use, and even a dog-friendly floor with a dedicated elevator and run where guests can stay with their canine companions.
3. Culinary Delights Showcasing the Bounty of “Sunny Okayama”
Blessed with Okayama’s warm climate—often called the “Land of Sunshine”—the hotel’s dining focuses on regional abundance. On the seventh floor, “Chef’s Dining Sakura” centers its kaiseki courses on locally raised beef such as Nagi-gyu steaks, complemented by fresh seafood from the neighboring San-in region and seasonal produce from nearby farms and orchards.
At “Chisan Dining Mimasaka Kitchen” on the first floor, guests can savor a Japanese-Western breakfast buffet featuring local specialties—most notably “tamago-kake-gohan,” a soy-seasoned raw egg over rice said to have originated in Okayama. The freshly hand-shaped rice balls, prepared before diners’ eyes, earn high praise from countless visitors.
4. A Sophisticated Interior Where Local Art Meets Modern Design
Throughout the building, design elements evoke regional heritage: the entrance wall echoes the massive stone ramparts of Tsuyama Castle, while eaves clad in traditional kawara tiles pay homage to Japanese roofing traditions. In the lobby, guests encounter furnishings crafted from Okayama cedar logs and washi paper, along with patchwork pieces made of Kojima denim.
Textile artist Yōko Kanō’s shibori-dyed noren curtains and Sachiko Imori’s needle-felted washi installation “Hakukei” dot the common spaces, allowing patrons to engage with Okayama’s contemporary art scene without leaving the hotel. These traditional materials and techniques blend seamlessly with modern aesthetics to create a refined and inviting atmosphere.
■ Access to “The Shiroyama Terrace Tsuyama Bettei”
- Official website: https://www.tsuyama-bettei.com/
- Access: Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Tsuyama Station
- Address: 30-1 Yamashita, Tsuyama-shi, Okayama 708-0022, Japan
- Google Maps : https://maps.app.goo.gl/84ng97sofUNLSEs46