The Tsuyama/Mimasaka area, located in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture, is famous as an area in the prefecture where visitors can enjoy mountainous and scenic beauty. In Tsuyama, cherry blossoms at Tsuyama Castle, Western-style buildings that evoke a sense of Taisho Romanticism, and B-class gourmet foods are also popular specialties.
Tsuyama is a mountainous city located in the northeast of Okayama Prefecture and prospered as a castle town of the Tsuyama clan in the old days. Tadamasa Tadamasa, the younger brother of Oda Nobunaga's minor feudal lord Mori Ranmaru, became the first feudal lord of the Tsuyama clan and spent 12 years building Tsuyama Castle. Today, the Bitchu turret, located on the southeast side of the castle tower, has been restored and is popular for its elegant scenery.
The cherry blossoms in Tsuruyama Park at the foot of Tsuyama Castle are so beautiful that it has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. Looking down from the castle to Tsuruyama Park where the cherry blossoms are located, one can see a magnificent view of the entire area, which is covered in cherry blossoms, as if a pink carpet has been spread over the area.
The area has also developed as a distribution center for cattle and horses since ancient times, and is known for its fresh meat. It is against this backdrop that a new specialty, Tsuyama Horumon Udon, was born. The udon, which won the Silver Grand Prix in a famous B-class gourmet contest, is known for its addictive taste of fresh beef hormone intertwined with each restaurant's unique sauce and udon noodles.
Tsuyama and Mimasaka are famous for their beautiful seasonal mountain scenery, mountain delicacies produced by the magnificent nature, historical castles, and traditional townscapes. These are sightseeing spots filled with the charms of Okayama.
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle is a historic Japanese castle located in Uchiyamashita, Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture. Renowned as one of Japan’s finest examples of a mountain castle, it is officially called Matsuyama Castle. To distinguish it from other castles with the same name, it is commonly known...»
Tsuyama Hormone Udon is a popular local dish from the area around Tsuyama City in northeastern Okayama Prefecture, a region with a long history of Japanese beef production. Made with udon noodles stir-fried with beef offal, this hearty specialty has been enjoyed since the latter part of the Showa pe...»
A Traditional Dish from Tsuyama Sozuri nabe is a hot pot dish that has long been enjoyed in Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture. Its defining ingredient is sozuri meat—beef scraped from the bones rather than simply cut away. This traditional technique makes use of flavorful meat that might otherwise be lef...»
A Regional Specialty Inspired by Niimi’s Wildlife Niimi City, in Okayama Prefecture, is home to a substantial wild boar population, and dishes made with boar meat, including the traditional hot pot known as botan nabe, have long been part of the local food culture. To turn this familiar regional in...»
Tsuyama Beef Ichiyaboshi is a traditional local delicacy from the Tsuyama area of Sakushu, a region in Okayama Prefecture with a long history of beef culture. Made from carefully selected beef without any additives, this distinctive dried meat is prepared by hand using a time-honored process that br...»
Misaki Tamago Kake Gohan is a regional specialty from Misaki Town in Okayama Prefecture, celebrating one of Japan's simplest and most familiar dishes: freshly cooked rice topped with a raw egg and seasoned with soy sauce. As part of an effort to revitalize the town through its local food culture, Mi...»
Black soybeans from Okayama Prefecture are grown primarily in the central and northern parts of the prefecture. Known for their large size and excellent flavor, these beans are also valued for their well-balanced nutritional content. When simmered, they develop an attractive appearance, a rich arom...»
Okayama Prefecture is Japan's leading producer of Pione grapes. This popular Japanese grape variety was developed by crossing Kyoho grapes with Cannon Hall Muscat grapes. The result is a distinctive fruit with large, deep-purple berries, an appealing fragrance, a satisfying texture, and an abundance...»
Developed in Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, Tsuyama Roll is a distinctive local dessert created through a collaboration between local farmers and confectioners. It celebrates the area's rich natural environment and fertile farmland by bringing together locally grown ingredients in an imaginative, deli...»
Kono Vinegar and Miso Brewing Factory was founded as a rice vinegar producer during the Meiji era (1868–1912) and is now the only vinegar brewery in Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture. Its signature product, Beni-zu, is a delicately reddish rice vinegar made using traditional ingredients and time-honored br...»
Okayama Prefecture is a relatively small tea-producing region in Japan, with approximately 150 hectares devoted to tea cultivation. Despite its modest scale, the area offers excellent conditions for growing high-quality tea. Fertile soil, cool mornings, warm sunshine during the day, and morning mist...»
Surrounded by beautiful countryside and abundant natural scenery, Kagamino Town in Okayama Prefecture is home to a comforting local specialty known as Kagamino Inaka Curry. Inspired by the nostalgic taste of curry that grandmothers used to make for their grandchildren, this hearty dish has become a ...»