Okutsu Valley | Review by 王小鈞

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Okutsu Valley

A renowned autumn foliage spot situated upstream of the Yoshii River in Okayama Prefecture.

14 Sep 2026 See More

Okutsu Valley, located upstream of the Yoshii River, is a well-known scenic gorge in Okayama Prefecture and a popular spot for viewing fall foliage. This time, I visited in the summer. Although there were no colorful autumn leaves, the fresh, natural greenery had its own charm. Walking along the gorge, I was surrounded by dense forest, with the gentle sound of the flowing stream blending into the mountain scenery. The whole area was exceptionally peaceful and relaxing.

The weather was beautiful that day, and sunlight filtered through the lush green forest, making the gorge scenery even brighter. I enjoyed the natural scenery along the way without much noise or commotion. It was the perfect place to slow down and take in the tranquility of Okayama's mountains.

Other Reviews by 王小鈞

Achi Shrine

Worshiping the “Three Goddesses of Munakata”, the god of the sea and transportation / trading safety, this shrine sits atop the summit Mt. Tsurugata Yama, which is a part of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (Kurashiki Beautiful Sight Quarter). The name “Achi”, is derived from the Achino-omi tribe who migrated from afar and lived in this space. The name of the shrine comes from the tribe as well.
- Okayama
- Shrines & Temples
14 Sep 2026 See More

Located in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, Achi Shrine is well worth a stop while strolling around Kurashiki. I walked all the way through the shopping street, looked up, and spotted the shrine’s west approach, so I decided on the spur of the moment to enter from there and pay my respects. The walk from the west approach to the shrine isn’t very long, and it’s quiet along the way, creating a completely different atmosphere from the lively streets of the historical quarter. When I visited in summer, everything was lush and green, making the walk feel even more peaceful.

Even though it’s only a short walk, it feels like you’re gradually leaving the noise of the streets behind and entering the shrine grounds. While shopping and taking photos in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, consider following the west approach up to the shrine to pay your respects and experience a different side of Kurashiki.
Ohara Museum of Art

Ohara Museum of Art is housed in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and has on display a collection of modern and contemporary art works. In 1930, Ohara Magozaburo, a local businessman, established this nation’s first private museum for western arts.
- Okayama
- Museums
14 Sep 2026 See More

If you enjoy art, I highly recommend stopping by the Ohara Museum of Art when visiting the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. The museum has quite a few outstanding modern and contemporary paintings. In the Main Gallery alone, you can see works by Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso. Although there’s only one work by each artist, it still feels very worthwhile to see original works by these world-famous painters in Japan.

The Annex happened to be closed during this visit, but the Asian Art Gallery was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect it to have ceramic works from different periods, including the Sui and Tang dynasties, which was very different from the Western art museum I had imagined. I think you should allow at least 1 hour for the whole visit. If you like taking your time to appreciate the works, I recommend setting aside even more time. The museum’s visitor survey was also quite interesting. This time, I saw many visitors from France, South Korea, and Mexico.
Ario Kurashiki

Ario Kurashiki is a large-scale commercial complex, comprising about 100 specialist shops, and directly connected to the JR Kurashiki Station North Exit. It has a wide range of shops, from fashion trends, general merchandise, pharmacy to specialty shops that offer various services.
- Okayama
- Commercial Buildings
14 Sep 2026 See More

Located next to JR Kurashiki Station, it’s just a few minutes’ walk from the station, making it extremely convenient to get to. The mall has more than 100 specialty stores, with everything from clothing, cosmetics, and household goods to all kinds of dining options, so there’s a wide variety of shops to choose from.

There weren’t too many people when I visited early in the morning, which made it especially comfortable to browse around at a leisurely pace. The mall is clean and bright overall, and the food court also has plenty of dining options. It’s a great place to grab something to eat and take a break when you’re tired from walking. It’s also directly connected to Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki next door, so you can visit both places and get all your shopping done at once!

If you’re planning an independent trip to Kurashiki, consider setting aside some time to walk around here. Besides sightseeing in the historic streets, you can also experience Kurashiki’s convenient and lively shopping scene. Visiting early in the morning is comfortable and relaxing, making it a great way to start the day.