Mt. Kinojo (Kinojo Castle) | Review by 王小鈞

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Mt. Kinojo (Kinojo Castle)

A mysterious mountain castle built in ancient times.

13 Sep 2026 See More

A mysterious ancient mountain castle hidden on Mount Kinojo in Soja, Okayama. Walking into this place feels like traveling back in time to an ancient Japanese defensive fortress. Kinojo Castle was built in the late 7th century. At the time, the situation on the Korean Peninsula was unstable, and after Japan was defeated in the Battle of Baekgang in 663, defensive facilities began to be built in northern Kyushu and along the Seto Inland Sea to guard against a possible invasion by the allied forces of Tang and Silla. Kinojo Castle is also believed to have been one of them.

On the way to the parking lot on the mountain, you'll pass along a narrow mountain road, so be especially careful when driving. After arriving at the visitor center, it's about a 10-minute walk to the famous ruins of the West Gate. As you walk slowly along the mountain path, there are observation decks where you can look out over the West Gate and the surrounding mountains. In summer, everything is lush and green, and standing up high with the mountain breeze and the expansive scenery before you feels especially refreshing. Unlike Kyoto or Osaka, this place isn't packed with crowds, giving it a more secluded and mysterious atmosphere.

Other Reviews by 王小鈞

Toy Kingdom, Okayama

This theme park is designed for young children to have fun to the fullest and features a "Toy Pavilion" where they can play with popular toys and 19 attractions.
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If you're traveling to Okayama with young children, I recommend planning a trip to Toy Kingdom, Okayama! The park isn't very large, but it's packed with toys and rides that are extremely appealing to children. It's better suited for children from kindergarten through around fourth grade. There aren't many thrill rides, and aside from the pirate ship and swing ride, there are no large rides like roller coasters, so older children may find it a little monotonous.

One thing I thought was great, though, is that children can play with all kinds of toys, including My Melody and Sylvanian Families, at no extra charge. Once you've paid the admission fee, they can play as much as they want, so overall it's a pretty good value. Individual rides cost about JPY 300 each. If you plan to go on several rides, I recommend buying the JPY 2,000 one-day unlimited ride pass. It pays for itself after just a few rides!
Okayama Forest Park Doitsu no Mori

A nature-themed park spread across green rolling hills, inspired by the scenery of the German countryside. The park features flower fields, with tulips and nemophila in spring, sunflowers in summer, and cosmos in fall coloring the landscape. One of its charms is strolling through the spacious grounds while enjoying the peaceful scenery and seasonal blooms.
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This is a nature park where you can take your time walking around and enjoying the scenery. The grounds are very large and themed after the German countryside, with different flowers in every season. You can also interact up close with cute animals, making it a great place to connect with nature.

From spring through fall, the park takes on a different look as the seasons change. As you stroll around, you’ll see not only lush forests and flower fields, but also plenty of places to rest along the way, so you can sit down when you get tired, enjoy the breeze, and take in the scenery.

I don’t think this is the kind of tourist attraction you rush through. It’s better to slow down and spend a full day exploring at a leisurely pace. If you like natural scenery, flowers, or animals, or just want somewhere away from the noise of the city where you can truly relax, Okayama Forest Park Doitsu no Mori is well worth adding to your itinerary.
Ushimado Olive Garden

A tourist farm with Approx. 2,000 olive trees planted across grounds of Approx. 10 hectares. One of its main attractions is the open scenery from its hilltop setting, with bright views that feel like the “Aegean of Japan,” where the Seto Inland Sea and its islands overlap. As you stroll through the grounds, you’ll find scenic viewpoints overlooking the olive groves, and the landscape changes with the seasons as flowers bloom and the fruit ripens.
- Okayama
- Experiences Facilities
13 Sep 2026 See More

When visiting Ushimado in Okayama, you shouldn't miss this olive garden with its Southern European atmosphere. Strolling leisurely among the olive trees and looking out at the Seto Inland Sea and the small islands scattered across it, you can see why Ushimado is known as the “Aegean of Japan.”

Besides enjoying the natural scenery, there are also quite a few small activities to try. The most famous is the “Bell of Happiness,” which symbolizes happiness. Many couples come here specifically to ring the bell, take photos, and enjoy the romantic atmosphere. When you get tired from walking around, don't forget to stop by the shop for some olive-flavored soft serve. The subtle olive aroma paired with the cool, creamy texture is unexpectedly delicious!

Unfortunately, it was cloudy when I visited, with gray skies that lacked the dazzling blue seascape you get on a sunny day. But the cooler, overcast weather also made walking among the olive trees feel more peaceful and relaxing. Even without perfect blue skies, I still really loved the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.