Here’s a handy, no snapshots, minimalist round-up for map pin places around Okayama, Naoshima / Uno and a bit of Kurashiki made for visitors coming to our area. Of course other diaries and resources are available, some basic links at bottom to get you started.
Naoshima / Uno & beyond
Naoshima Art Centre
http://Artisland.jp
run by Andrew McCormick & family
+ Overview of Naoshima area https://artisland.jp/pages/artislands
“I Love Yu” Naoshima public bath
087-892-2626
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MhNC1u3JRafR9SKP7?g_st=ic
my Lodge Naoshima – evidently a great place to stay on the most popular of the art islands (recommended by pals, have not stayed there personally) https://maps.app.goo.gl/ERabfhYEpdV6YUgW8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Uno Port inn (small basic hotel right at the jumping off point to the island)
https://goo.gl/maps/ChZ92Jv6URVRsyjU9
https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g1023448-d10242678-r682602787-Uno_Port_INN-Tamano_Okayama_Prefecture_Chugoku.html
Tamanoyu Hot spring “resort” in Uno right by ferry terminal
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UaNufwYHZ3Nu3H6m8
Setouchi (inland sea) guide by David Billa
https://www.setouchiexplorer.com/
Bonus:
Benton Guesthouse on Omishima
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oW3yBChrLRfATVvb6
{the above and below are great checkpoints if you have a notion to do the famous 70 km Shimanami Kaido cycling route which hopscotches across a lovely assortment of islands}
Labyrinth House in Onomichi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bHV8Ur6f9fRV5ESo6
more Naoshima, Teshima, Uno etc with snapshots: https://daveostory.com/daveo-dispatches/personal-musings/field-notes-naoshima-art-island-uno-port-setouchi-2019/
Okayama City
Piano Bar (tiny Okayama Jazz joint) owner Ren-san / hours various, 086-222-8162
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DGLbWx8WJoWxAf1A6
Live House Bird (quirky cool Jazz haunt) ライブハウス バード, 090-3680-3764
https://maps.app.goo.gl/67ondpJU5GPhj42P9
3 “listening cafés/bars” where are you sit down, order a beverage, and listen to curated records on fantastic hi-fi, classic Japanese experience – these are all quite close to each other, sometimes it’s live music, sometimes open afternoons
Something: https://maps.app.goo.gl/itH8N9M6RB2R48Xb7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Groovy: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TkhGJagthUCFXVLYA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Jordan: https://maps.app.goo.gl/X1fPuvDQieyEq4R27?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
while the 3 above specialize in jazz, this one is a rock themed one I’ve been meaning to to visit, Cozy: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cqUYoQ2xHqRTmsgR8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Craft Beer Rainbow (tiny & filled with futbol scarves + rotating Japan-made kegs)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7t1v1G3ixXBQ8yTh9
Mac’s goat farm “Rural Caprine Farm & Market” ルーラルカプリ農場
our hang out plus great lunch and coffee & custom barbecue in evening
086-297-5864
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WgEZUgrris8UChpP9
植物プランニング Kinome
Our house (Kinome is wife’s biz)
090-7509-5064
https://maps.app.goo.gl/G8wAahk8TZiiiwYX7
Okayama “Black/Crow” Castle
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tyh1zBsj18EASrdUA
Okayama Koraku Hotel – Handy canal-side hotel, 086-221-7111
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BkBUaZMg3rHomGhe7
KAMP – hostel, café, music/party location (right off a shopping arcade)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JRYB2WPnzknSYDp89
Gakucho Men-ya – our *not-so-secret anymore* favorite Ramen place (Michelin book listed :))
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vW3MJcJgZczRfnKB7
Field Notes:
diaries from various museums and outings:
https://daveostory.com/category/field-notes
Japan travel primer guide including tips, tactics, etiquette, geography and maybe even some basic vocab
https://daveostory.com/writing-fiction-essays/wandering/primer-travelling-japan-culture-etiquette-geography/
Japan travel resources, adventures and other what nots:
https://daveostory.com/category/misc-tidbits/japan-life-travel/
2 Video story times about traveling in Japan: one short and one long about “how to Japan good”
There’s no B roll, no links, no explosions, no shout outs to buy mattresses or subscribe to toothbrushes, but – as usual – there are numerous digressions, a few vintage artifacts, and some curious hats – Pop your own corn
Kurashiki
Okayama prefecture’s “second city” with historic Bikan district and filled with canals, museums, laneway with coffee, sake and crafts (& vibes)
Ohara museums
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YBvRNMvmnQ7hhAC16
of course so much more to add including the toast cafe and the ridiculous woodfired pizza and at least a dozen of the cutest cafés you’ve ever seen in general in Kurashiki, did I mention gondolas on canals and rickshaw on offer?
But don’t take my word on all of the above, here’s an article from one of the approximately 3000 “hooray for tourism in Japan” websites which talks about spending a weekend in Okayama and Kurashiki including some of the usual places but of course misses out on hanging out in my kura art studio/music lounge or at the goat farm but still useful so you know I ain’t just spreading hype, ergo: “The Perfect Weekend in Okayama” https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/11139
{of course “the weekdays, the months and the whole life is better than the perfect weekend” says one washed-up minor poet :-)}
