“Everything is just right!” Okayama Prefecture. Members supporting local government public relations as a support office introduce the prefecture’s attractions!

Hello! I’m Masuno from the Public Relations Division 3, Sports Section, now in my fifth year at SUNNY SIDE UP.

The hot days continue—how is everyone doing?

Also, with the state of emergency making it difficult to travel far, today I’d like to introduce Okayama Prefecture and its PR—a place you should definitely visit once the declaration is lifted!

■ Okayama Prefecture Research Support Office

At SUNNY SIDE UP, we serve as the “Okayama Prefecture Research Support Office,” providing research support and information to media professionals from TV programs, magazines, newspapers, web publications, and various other outlets when they research Okayama Prefecture!

We also communicate daily with media professionals, regularly delivering the latest Okayama information to inspire stories and content ideas.

■ Okayama: A prefecture bordered by Hyogo to the east, Hiroshima to the west, Tottori to the north, and Kagawa to the south.

When I ask people if they’ve been to Okayama Prefecture, I often hear responses like “I passed through on my way to the west!” or “I went through there on my way to Shikoku!”

Photo courtesy: Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

While people often ask “What’s in Okayama?” or say “I just think of Momotaro,” Okayama actually has many attractions worth visiting!

Today, as someone in my fifth year of promoting Okayama Prefecture, I’ll introduce the charms of Okayama that are definitely worth stopping for! Please stay with me until the end!

■ Okayama Prefecture: The “Fruit Kingdom”

Okayama Prefecture is full of delicious fruits such as “white peaches,” “grapes,” and “strawberries”!

Especially now in summer, Okayama’s pride—”white peaches” and “grapes”—are in season and highly recommended!

Photo courtesy: Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

While many people imagine pink when they think of peaches, Okayama Prefecture’s specialty peaches are white “hakutou” (white peaches).

The “white peaches” produced in the prefecture are carefully grown with each fruit individually bagged.

This prevents sunburn (drying) and keeps the flesh fibers that affect texture from becoming too thick. As a result, Okayama’s white peaches are so soft they drip with juice. The “whiteness” is the result of the farmers’ hard work, so don’t mistake them for unripe fruit—enjoy these delicious white peaches!

Okayama Prefecture also produces various grape varieties, each with unique characteristics, making taste comparisons highly recommended.

Photo courtesy: Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

From the exquisitely fragrant Muscat of Alexandria, also called the Queen of Fruits, to the crisp-skinned and sweet Shine Muscat “Seioh,” and the thin-skinned Seto Giants that melt in your mouth.

There’s also the seedless, large-grained, perfectly sweet New Pione, and Okayama’s original variety, Aurora Black—sweet, large-grained, seedless, and ready to eat as-is. With so many delicious varieties, please try them all.

To fully enjoy fruit in the prefecture, “parfaits” and “fruit picking” are recommended. In fact, Okayama City has an initiative called “Fruit Parfait City Okayama,” where restaurants throughout the city offer original parfait menus featuring abundant local fruits!

Photo courtesy: Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

“Fruit Parfait City Okayama” Official URL
https://www.okayama-cci.or.jp/activation/fruitparfait/gaiyou.html

Enjoy the parfaits, each with unique touches crafted by different shops.

Photo courtesy: Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

“Fruit Picking”
https://www.okayama-kanko.jp/business/fruits

There are lists of farms offering fruit picking and even bus tours to the farms, so please check them out.

■ Okayama’s Top Tourist Destination: Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

When you think of Okayama Prefecture, many people probably think of “Kurashiki”!

The Bikan Historical Quarter features beautiful white walls and a historic, beautifully preserved traditional townscape full of romantic charm.

Photo courtesy: Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

With white-walled storehouses, namako walls, willow-lined streets, and an atmospheric townscape, every angle is picture-perfect!

Also, while Okayama Prefecture is known as the birthplace of domestic jeans, wearing “denim kimono” to experience Okayama’s character is popular. You can rent them within the Bikan Historical Quarter, so it’s easy to enjoy!

Photo courtesy: Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

Shops featuring Kurashiki brands like Kurashiki canvas and Kurashiki denim, popular parfaits and afternoon teas using abundant delicious fruit, stylish shops, and cafés renovated from traditional townhouses line the streets—just walking around the Bikan Historical Quarter is enjoyable.

Cultural facilities like the Ohara Museum of Art and Kurashiki Ivy Square are also concentrated here, making it an area where you can explore all day without getting bored and fully experience Okayama Prefecture.

How was it?

Please visit Okayama Prefecture once the situation settles down!

If you’re interested in the work of the Okayama Prefecture Research Support Office, please contact SUNNY SIDE UP!

There must still be unknown “fun excitement” sleeping throughout the country! We look forward to hearing from you.