Okayama City (岡山市) is the capital city of Okayama Prefecture (岡山県) in the Chugoku District (中国地方).  The city was founded on June 1, 1889.  After merging two towns of Seto (赤磐郡 瀬戸町) and Takebe (御津郡 建部町) in January 2007, the present total area is 789.91 sq. km and the population is 701,532 (March 1, 2008): the density is 888 persons/sq. km.  The city slated to becoming a designated city (政令指定都市) in 2009.
  In ancient times, this area was called "Kibi-no-kuni" (吉備国) which was one of the most prosperous areas of the ancient Japan until the Taika Revolution (大化の改新, AD 645) when the central government (大和朝廷) divided "Kibi-no-kuni" into four small provinces: "Bizen-no-kuni" (備前国), "Bittchu-no-kuni" (備中国), "Bingo-no-kuni" (備後国) and "Mimasaka-no-kuni" (美作国).  After the division, the regional government of "Bizen-o-kuni" was supposed to place in the present Okayama City.  Since then, this region had been a farm area over centuries.  In 1570 (1st year of Genki [元亀元年]), Naoie Ukita (宇喜多 直家) took Okayama Castle from Munetaka Kanemitsu (金光 宗高) and expanded the castle making the castle town much bigger as a way-stop of the Sanyo-do Highway (山陽道).  His son Hideie (宇喜多 秀家, 1572-1655) also made great efforts to develop the castle and the region until Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原の戦い) in 1600 when the Ukita clan declined due to their support for Mitsunari Ishida (石田 三成, 1560-1600) and the Western Army (西軍).  After the two year rule by Hideaki Kobayakawa (小早川 秀秋, 1582-1602), Tadatsugu Ikeda (池田 忠継) owned the castle and his descendants ruled this region until the Abolition of Clans and Establishment of Prefectures (廃藩置県) in 1871.  The population in the 4th year of Hoei (宝永4年) or AD 1701 was samurais 22,904 and townsmen 3,0635: the total 53,539.  In the 22nd year of Meiji or AD 1889 when Okayama City was born, the population was 47, 564 with the area of 5.77 sq. km.  It increased to 94,585 in the 9th year of Taisho (1920).
  The city is known as the site of the Korakuen Garden (後楽園) and the black Okayama Castle (岡山城), which is a modern reconstruction. The popular Japanese folktale of "Momotaro" (「桃太郎」) may have originated here.
  Gokoku-zan Sogen-ji Temple (護国山 曹源寺) is a very large Zen monastery (founded in 1698 by Lord Tsunamasa Ikeda [池田 綱政, r.1672-1714] as their family temple) belonging to the Rinzai-shu Myoshin-ji sect (臨済宗妙心寺派) in Maruyama (円山) in the centre of the city.  It has produced several of the abbots of the major monasteries in Kyoto and is now a training centre for foreign practitioners.
  The city is one of few Japanese cities to have kept an operational tram system.  It is a major rail interchange as trains from the Shikoku Island (四国) connect with the Sanyo Main Line (山陽本線) here.
  

IMAGE	IMAGE NO.	DATA
JR Okayama Station		JR Okayama Station (JR岡山駅)
	oky2008-001	(Monday 17 March) JR Okayama Station
	oky2008-002	(Monday 17 March) Statue of a Student in good old days titled "Seishun Kansha" (「青春感謝」: Thank the Bloom of Youth) in front of JR Okayama Station
	oky2008-003	(Monday 17 March) The script of the Statue of a Student in good old days titled "Seishun Kansha" (「青春感謝」: Thank the Bloom of Youth) in front of JR Okayama Station: It says:      胸に無限の (Mune ni Mugen no)   覇気あらば (Haki araba)   守れ不屈の (Mamore Fukutsu no)   意気の香を (Haki no Ka wo)   (If you have an infinite   Ambition in your bosom,   Keep up the incense of   Indomitable Spirits     (trans. Eishiro Ito)
Koraku-en Garden		Koraku-en Garden (後楽園), 1-5 Korakuen, Okayama City (岡山市後楽園1-5).   In the 4th year of Jokyo (貞享4年) or AD 1687, Tsunamasa Ikeda (池田 綱政), the 4th lord of the Ikeda clan, ordered Nagatada Tsuda (津田 永忠) to begin construction of Koraku-en Garden.  It was completed in the 13th year of Genroku (元禄13年) or AD 1700, and has retained its original appearance down to the present day, except for a few changes by later lords.  Koraku-en Park (後楽園) is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan (日本三大名園) as well as Kenroku-en Park (兼六園), Kanazawa City and Kairaku-en Garden (偕楽園), Mito City.   Koraku-en Garden is one of the few daimyo (Japanese feudal lords) gardens in the provinces where historical changes can be observed, thanks to many Edo-Period paintings and the Ikeda family records and documents left behind.  The garden was used as a place for entertaining important guests and also as a spa of sorts for daimyo, although regular folk could also visit on certain days.  In the 17th year of Meiji (1884), the ownership was transferred to Okayama Prefecture and the garden was opened to the public.  The garden suffered severe damages during the floods of the 9th year of Showa (1934) and during World War II bombing in 1945, but has been restored based on the original Edo-Period paintings and diagrams.  In the 27th year of Showa (1952), the garden was designated as a Special Scenic Location (特別名勝) under the Cultural Properties Protection Law (文化財保護法), and is managed as a historical cultural asset (歴史的文化遺産) to be passed to future generations.  (Main reference: the Official Pamphlet of Okayama Koraku-en Garden"
	oky2008-007	(Monday 17 March) Map of Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-008	(Monday 17 March) "Heishiro-no-Matsu" (平四郎の松: Heishiro's Pine Tree) near Kakumei-kan Guest House (鶴鳴館), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-009	(Monday 17 March) Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-010	(Monday 17 March) "Enyo-tei" (延養亭) used as a parlor for the lord on visit, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-011	(Monday 17 March) Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-012	(Monday 17 March) "Jyari-jima" Island (砂利島) in "Sawa-no-ike" Pond (沢の池), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-013	(Monday 17 March) "Gojyu-san-tsugi Koshikake-chaya" (五十三次腰掛茶屋) by "Sawa-no-ike" Pond, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-014	(Monday 17 March) Okayama Castle, viewed over "Sawa-no-ike" Pond, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-015	(Monday 17 March) A view through the lattice of "Gojyu-san-tsugi Koshikake-chaya" (五十三次腰掛茶屋) by "Sawa-no-ike" Pond, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-016	(Monday 17 March) Yuga-jinjya Shrine (由加神社), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-017	(Monday 17 March) Nishi-no-inari-gu Shrine (西の稲荷宮) with a holy rock, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-018	(Monday 17 March) The teahouse, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-019	(Monday 17 March) The teahouse, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-020	(Monday 17 March) "Naka-no-shima" Island (中の島) in "Sawa-no-ike" Pond, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-021	(Monday 17 March) "Naka-no-shima" Island (中の島) in "Sawa-no-ike" Pond, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-022	(Monday 17 March) "Seiden" (井田; the rice field divided in the ancient Chinese style), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-023	(Monday 17 March) "Naka-no-shima" Island (中の島) in "Sawa-no-ike" Pond, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-024	(Monday 17 March) "Yuishin-zan" Hill (唯心山), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-025	(Monday 17 March) A stone bridge near "Yuishin-zan" Hill (唯心山), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-028	(Monday 17 March) "Ryu-ten" (流店) Pavilion, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-029	(Monday 17 March) "Sotetsu-batake" (蘇鉄畑; sago-palm bush), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-030	(Monday 17 March) Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-032	(Monday 17 March) "Ryu-ten" (流店) Pavilion, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-033	(Monday 17 March) "Ryu-ten" (流店) Pavilion, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-034	(Monday 17 March) "Ryu-ten" (流店) Pavilion, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-035	(Monday 17 March) "Ryu-ten" (流店) Pavilion, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-036	(Monday 17 March) "Yatsu-hashi Bridge (八橋), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-038	(Monday 17 March) "Hana-shobu-batake" (花菖蒲畑; the Iris Field), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-039	(Monday 17 March) Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-041	(Monday 17 March) "Bai-rin" (梅林; the Ume Grove), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-042	(Monday 17 March) "Bai-rin" (梅林; the Ume Grove), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-043	(Monday 17 March) "Bai-rin" (梅林; the Ume Grove), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-044	(Monday 17 March) "Bai-rin" (梅林; the Ume Grove), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-046	(Monday 17 March) Benzaiten-do Hall (弁財天堂; Hall of Sarasvati [the Goddess of Fortune]), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-047	(Monday 17 March) Benzaiten-do Hall (弁財天堂; Hall of Sarasvati [the Goddess of Fortune]), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-048	(Monday 17 March) Benzaiten-do Hall (弁財天堂; Hall of Sarasvati [the Goddess of Fortune]), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-050	(Monday 17 March) "Shin-den" (新殿; Shinden Rest House), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-051	(Monday 17 March) Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-053	(Monday 17 March) "Sawa-no-ike" Pond (沢の池), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-054	(Monday 17 March) Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-055	(Monday 17 March) "Enyo-tei" (延養亭) used as a parlor for the lord on visit, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-056	(Monday 17 March) "Enyo-tei" (延養亭) used as a parlor for the lord on visit, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-058	(Monday 17 March) The waterfall of "Kayo-no-ike" Pond (花葉の池), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-059	(Monday 17 March) The waterfall of "Kayo-no-ike" Pond (花葉の池), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-060	(Monday 17 March) The waterfall of "Kayo-no-ike" Pond (花葉の池), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-063	(Monday 17 March) "Chiku-rin" (竹林; the bamboo grove), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-064	(Monday 17 March) "Kayo-no-ike" Pond (花葉の池), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-065	(Monday 17 March) "Enyo-tei" (延養亭) over "Kayo-no-ike" Pond (花葉の池), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-067	(Monday 17 March) "Jizo-do" Hall (地蔵堂; Hall of Ksitigarbha; the Guardian Deity of Children), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-068	(Monday 17 March) "Jizo-do" Hall (地蔵堂; Hall of Ksitigarbha; the Guardian Deity of Children), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-072	(Monday 17 March) "Mosho-an" (茂松庵; Mosho Hermitage), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-074	(Monday 17 March) "Enyo-tei" (延養亭), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-076	(Monday 17 March) "Odate-ishi" Rock (大立石), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-077	(Monday 17 March) "Enyo-tei" (延養亭) over "Kayo-no-ike" Pond (花葉の池) and "Odate-ishi" Rock (大立石), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-078	(Monday 17 March) "Enyo-tei" (延養亭), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-079	(Monday 17 March) "Eisho-bashi" Bridge (栄唱橋) over "Kayo-no-ike" Pond (花葉の池) and "Odate-ishi" Rock (大立石), Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-081	(Monday 17 March) A cat, Koraku-en Garden
	oky2008-082	(Monday 17 March) "Nan-mon" Gate (南門) to Okayama Castle, Koraku-en Garden
Okayama Castle		Okayama Castle (岡山城) is a castle in Okayama City.  It is popularly known as "U-jo" (鳥城; the Crow Castle), so named because unlike every other castle in the country (except Matsumoto Castle (松本城) with which shares the nickname) it has been strikingly black-painted, with only a few protruding bits and the occasional lucky golden dolphin (in Japanese, "kinshachi": 金鯱) on the roof of the donjon.   The original castle was constructed by Hideie Ukita (宇喜多 秀家, 1572-1655) between 1590 and 1597.  It was one of the most beautiful Japanese castles, with 35 yagura (櫓) towers and 21 gates.  ;After the decline of the Ukita clan, the Ikeda family owned the castle until the Meiji Restoration in 1869.  It was destroyed on June 29, 1945 by the U.S. air raid at the end of World War II and rebuilt in 1966.
	oky2008-084	(Monday 17 March) Map of Okayama Castle
	oky2008-088	(Monday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle, viewed from Tsukimi-bashi Bridge (月見橋) of the Asahi-gawa River (旭川)
	oky2008-089	(Monday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle, viewed from Tsukimi-bashi Bridge (月見橋) of the Asahi-gawa River (旭川)
	oky2008-090	(Monday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle, viewed from Tsukimi-bashi Bridge (月見橋) of the Asahi-gawa River (旭川)
	oky2008-092	(Monday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle, viewed from Tsukimi-bashi Bridge (月見橋) of the Asahi-gawa River (旭川)
	oky2008-097	(Monday 17 March) The donjon of Okayama Castle
	oky2008-099	(Monday 17 March) The donjon of Okayama Castle
	oky2008-100	(Monday 17 March) "Rokujyu-ichi Gangi-jo-mon" Gate (六十一雁木上門), Okayama Castle
	oky2008-103	(Monday 17 March) "Roka-mon" Gate (廊下門; Corridor Gate), Okayama Castle.  Here once stood formed the original "Roka-mon," which formed the lower end of a long corridor from the middle level (Omote-shoin [表書院]) to the upper level (Hon-dan [本段]).  It was rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1966.
	oky2008-104	(Monday 17 March) Stone steps to the donjon, Okayama Castle
	oky2008-105	(Monday 17 March) "Ko-Nando-yagura" Tower (小納戸櫓), Okayama Castle
	oky2008-106	(Monday 17 March) "Akazu-no-mon" Gate (不明門) to the donjon, Okayama Castle
	oky2008-107	(Monday 17 March) Stone steps to the donjon of Okayama Castle
	oky2008-108	(Monday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle
	oky2008-109	(Monday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle
	oky2008-111	(Monday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle
	oky2008-113	(Monday 17 March) ""Kin-shachi" (金鯱) or the golden dolphin at the rooftop of Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle.  Cf. Nagoya-jo Castle.
	oky2008-114	(Monday 17 March) A view from the top floor of Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle
	oky2008-115	(Monday 17 March) A view from the top floor of Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle
	oky2008-118	(Monday 17 March) ""Kin-shachi" (金鯱) or the golden dolphin at the rooftop of Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle.  Cf. Nagoya-jo Castle
	oky2008-120	(Monday 17 March) ""Kin-shachi" (金鯱) or the golden dolphin at the rooftop of Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon) of Okayama Castle.  Cf. Nagoya-jo Castle
Sho-ya		Okayama Branch of Sho-ya (庄屋 岡山店), Bimi-no-koji, Ichiban-gai, Chika-3, Ekimoto-machi, Okayama City (岡山市駅元町1番 街地下3号美味の小路).  A traditional Japanese restaurant.
	oky2008-123	(Monday 17 March) Okayama Branch of Sho-ya, Bimi-no-koji, Ichiban-gai, Chika-3, Ekimoto-machi, Okayama City
	oky2008-124	(Monday 17 March) My dinner a prix fixe "Anago-gohan-set" (穴子ご飯セット[conger-mixed boiled rice with side dishes and miso soup], 900 yen) at Okayama Branch of Sho-ya

        

Copyright (c) 2008 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.