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Saidaiji Station is the fi fth station from Okayama Station, or a 20-minute ride on the JR Ako Line. Saidaiji is the site of the nationally famous Eyo, which is also known as Hadaka Matsuri, or the Naked Man Festival. In Okayama, there are many must-visit places. Th ese include the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains and sea, historical sites such as Kurashiki, and vanguard fashion such as Kojima. Okayama is also famous for its fresh seafood throughout the year. Seto Inland Sea is a good for fishing thanks to its nutritious river water and unique tidal current. The seafood is shipped nationwide. Located just outside Osaka and Kyoto, Okayama provides guests with opportunities to enjoy many special experi-ences.
Saidaiji Station is the fi fth station from Okayama Station, or a 20-minute ride on the JR Ako Line. Saidaiji is the site of the nationally famous Eyo, which is also known as Hadaka Matsuri, or the Naked Man Festival. In Okayama, there are many must-visit places. Th ese include the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains and sea, historical sites such as Kurashiki, and vanguard fashion such as Kojima. Okayama is also famous for its fresh seafood throughout the year. Seto Inland Sea is a good for fishing thanks to its nutritious river water and unique tidal current. The seafood is shipped nationwide. Located just outside Osaka and Kyoto, Okayama provides guests with opportunities to enjoy many special experi-ences.
Since its establishment in 1914, Bingoya has been a favorite accommodation of writers and artists, earning it the nickname of “Tamashima’s back parlor.” The nine guest rooms were built as holi-day homes. For example, Koshinkaku, a two-story wooden building with four rooms, including one with 12 tatami mats, is great for large groups. All the buildings are surrounded by ubame oak trees on the mountain slopes overlooking the Tamashima Harbor. You can take in even better views when you climb higher up the mountains. You can also enjoy a beautifully arranged Japanese full-course meal using seasonal ingredients from Okayama. To end your day, the chartered open-air baths made of umbrella pine will soothe your mind with their woody and relaxing scent.
The beautiful view of Tamashima Harbor, the taste and sight of the full-course Japanese meals, and the beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons
Yuhara-Onsen Hakkei is located in Yubara Onsen, a famous hot-spring resort in western Japan known as Mimasaka. SORA no Yu, a chartered hot-spring bath renovated two years ago, is a spot to relax and enjoy a woody scent under the stars or in the morning haze. A main attraction at Hakkei are the meals, which are served with plen-ty of vegetables and a delicate broth. The dishes, made with more than 50 kinds of vegetables, coupled with the surrounding beauty of the mountains, keep people coming back time and again. They serve dishes based on customers’ requests in the morning. Vegetable sushi or hot pot, for example, are served for vegetarians or vegans so that everybody can enjoy their own meals.
•Privacy in chartered baths or saunas, delicious vegetable dishes served in a beautiful location, and a relaxing atmosphere so you can feel at home
GLAMPING VILLAGE IBUKI NO SATO opened in the sum-mer of 2023 in Niimi, an attractive city with hot springs and great views of Okayama and the mountains. In a large dome-shaped tent measuring seven meters in diameter, you can enjoy a high-class, air-conditioned private space with a dining area and a bathroom. The other options include four-bed tents for groups or families and tents for visitors with their dogs. They serve superb meals using local ingredients grown in the rich soil with the high-quality water in the area. A great option is Chiya beef cooked on a barbeque with a view of the picturesque mountains (the barbequed meals cost extra). In autumn and winter, they serve hot dishes, such as sukiyaki and soba with wild vegetables. You can also enjoy natural hot springs with some of the best spring water in Okayama after your meals.
Barbeque of Chiya beef, a local specialty, natural hot spring, and the winner of the best accommodation chosen by the hot spring portal site, and enjoy nature and great views of Okayama
THE SHIROYAMA TERRACE TSUYAMA VILLA is located in the center of Tsuyama, a castle town full of culture and history. The nearby ruins of the Tsuyama Castle have been chosen as one of the 100 best spots for viewing cherry blossoms in Japan by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association. In spring, visitors are welcomed by cherry blossoms in full bloom. The hotel has a spa and open-air bath fed by the Dodo hot spring, which is thought to help heal muscle pain and sensitivity to cold, as well as beautify skin. From the hot springs, visitors can enjoy a good view of the castle ruins, especially from sunset to 10 p.m., when the ruins are illuminated. In Yurou, an executive suite, you can enjoy a private open-air bath and a pano-ramic view of Tsuyama. The hotel is also famous for its meals made with local ingredients. Breakfast is served buffet style and includes small rice balls made in front of the guests.
Access to Tsuyama’s history and culture, Dodo, one of the best hot springs in Okayama, and a lounge that serves delicious drinks and sweets
Ryori Ryokan Turugata is a hotel in the house of an old merchant family. Built in 1744, the house is famous for its history, much like the nearby buildings in this area of Kurashiki, a historic city in west-ern Japan. Inspired by Japanese architecture, the hotel has a range of rooms. The Achi room has a beautiful garden with a 400-year-old pine tree. The hotel serves a full-course Japanese-style dinner using seasonal ingredients from the surrounding mountains and sea. After your meal, take a walk along the streets lined with beautiful willow trees and historical buildings. A great experience is taking a rowboat on the Kurashiki River.
The repurposing of a merchant family house built in 1744, rooms full of history and Japanese architecture, and full-course Japanese-style dinner using seasonal local ingredients
The Yoshii-Ryokan hotel, housed in a private home built in the late Edo era, has preserved its authentic hospitality for over a century since it was opened in the Meiji era. Six rooms named after plants are designed intricately and inspired by Japanese architecture. The Maple room attracts a lot of attention, as it was often used by Ryoma Sakamoto, a samurai who influenced the modernization of Japan. The hotel’s hospitality is evident in its meals, such as the beautiful Seasonal Kaiseki, which is made using local seasonal ingredients that can be savored with the five senses. The Kouyamaki bath, made of hinoki cypress, is great for healing the fatigue of travel. This hotel is great for those who want to relax in a historical atmosphere.
Book baths at any time, Japanese-style breakfast with a variety of dishes, and a famous room where Ryoma Sakamoto used to stay
The complete article can be found in Issue #283 of the Tokyo Journal.
岡山駅から JR 赤穂線で 5 駅。乗車時間にして 20 分ほどの距離にあるのが西大寺駅。駅名にもなっている西大寺は、 全国的に有名な祭り「西大寺会陽」の開催地だ。ほかにも岡山には、景観の美しい山や海、倉敷に象徴される歴史 を感じられる名所、児島などファッション文化を発信するスポットなど、数多くの見どころがある。季節を問わない魅力として挙げられるのは、海産物の味わいだ。岡山県が面する瀬戸内海は、陸から流れる栄養が豊かかつ潮の流れが複雑 な漁場で、全国にさまざまな魚介類を送り出している。素材の持ち味を生かす日本料理にぴったりな土地柄なのである。 京都や大阪から足を伸ばして、ぜひ岡山ならではの滞在を体験してみてほしい。
1914 年創業の「備後屋」は、古くから文人や墨客などの名士に「玉島 の奥座敷」として重宝されてきた。客室は 9 つ全てが離れ形式で、別荘に来たような気分を味わえる。そのうち 4 つの客室をもつ「広申閣」は、木造2階建てで最大 12 畳と広く、「梅」と隣室の「かえで」を利用して大人数での宿泊も可能だ。ばべの木に囲まれた離れは、玉島港が見渡 せる山の斜面に建てられており、上に登れば登るほど美しい景色を見ることができる。季節ごとに違った風景を見るこ ができ、日本の四季を楽しむのにぴったりだ。岡山の旬の食材を用いた会席料理も、料理人の手によって美しく仕上げられている。貸切露天風呂があるのも嬉しいポコ ウ ヤ マ キ イントだ。高 野槇で作られた浴槽は木目が美しく、木の香りにも癒やされることだろう。
玉島港を一望できるプライベート空間 味覚だけでなく視覚でも楽しめる会席料理 季節の移ろいを感じられる景
3 つの名湯からなる西日本有数の温泉地・美作三湯。そのうちの一つ、湯原温泉を楽しめる旅館が 「 湯原温泉 八景 」 だ。2 年前にリノベーションしたばかりの「貸切 Spa 空の湯」では、星空や朝もやの中、森の香りに包まれてゆったりとした時間を過ごすことができる。八景最大の魅力とも言える料理は、丁寧に出汁をひいた野菜中心のスタイル。山に囲 まれた宿の中でのびのびと食事を楽しめる 「 食べる宿 」 をモットーに、50 種類以上の野菜を使用しており、体に優しくほっとする味付けがリピーターを呼んでいる。2 泊目以降は、朝に宿泊客の希望を聞いてから献立を仕上げるというから連泊もお勧めだ。どんな客にも料理を楽しんでほしいという思いから、ベジタリアンやヴィーガンの客向けに、野菜の寿司や鍋なども提供している。
貸切風呂やサウナで自分だけの時間を楽しめる. 山の宿ならではの野菜を主体とした料理 田舎に帰っ.てきたようなくつろげる雰囲気
2023 年夏、温泉と絶景が魅力の新見市に、グランピング施設「グランピングヴィレッジ いぶきの里」がオープンした。直径 7m の大型ドーム型テントは、冷暖房はもちろん、食事スペースとトイレを完備した高品質のプライベート空間。グループやファミリー向けの 4 ベッドタイプ、愛犬と一緒に泊まれるドッグテントなど、3 種の部屋タイプから旅のニーズに合わせて選べる。水と土が上質な土地らしく、食事も絶品だ。雄大な山々をバックに楽しめる BBQ(料金別途)は、グランピングならでは。豊かな自然の中で育った地元名産「千屋牛」を中心とした贅沢なメニューを提供してくれる。また、冬からは体の芯から温まる「すき焼き」と「山菜とうじそば」を用意。食後は、県内屈指の泉質を誇る天然温泉 100%の美肌の湯で、疲れた体を癒やすのが良いだろう。
地元名産「千屋牛」を楽しめる BBQ. 温泉情報サイトで岡山県宿泊部門第 1 位を獲得した天然温泉. 岡山の大自然と絶景を肌で感じられる
アクティブに観光を楽しんだ後は、歴史のある温泉で疲れを癒やすのが良い。「季譜の里」は、1200 年の歴史を持つ日本有数の湯治湯・湯郷温泉に建つ。切りきずや擦りきずに効能があり、2 度ゆっくり浸かると跡形もなく消えてしまうと言われるほど。滞在しながら温泉に入れば、若返ってしまうかもしれない。また、スイートルームにはプライベート 露天風呂を完備。時間を気にすることなく、心ゆくまで温泉を楽しむことができる。宿泊プランが豊富で、好みに合っ 料理を選択できるのも嬉しい。瀬戸内海と日本海の中間地点という立地を最大限に生かし、「岡山の旬」を満喫できるのが特徴だ。温泉が好きな人は、日本屈指の泉質をぜひ体験してほしい。季節の魅力を感じられる、桜や紅葉の時期に訪 れるのがお勧めだ。
1200 年以上の歴史を持つ日本有数の温泉. 木の香りと和を感じる種類豊富な客室. 山の幸と海の幸をふんだんに使った滋味溢れる会席料理
「ザ・シロヤマテラス津山別邸」は、歴史的・文化的資源が数多く点在する津山城下町の中心部に位置する。「さくらの名所 100 選」の一つでもある津山城跡に近く、春には満開の桜が旅客を迎えてくれる。この宿の最大の魅力は温泉だ。美肌のほか、筋肉痛や冷え性などに効能があるどうどうと言われる津山の名湯「百々温泉」をたたえ、津山城跡を眺めながらゆっくり入浴できる。城跡がライトアップされる日没から 22 時までの時間帯に行くのがお勧めだ。プライベート露天風呂付きの特別客室「湯楼」では、テラスから津山の街を見渡せる。岡山県自慢の食材を使った料理も絶品。ビュッフェ形式の朝食では、ミニサイズのおにぎりを目の前で握ってくれる珍しいサービスを楽しみたい。心に残る、とっておきの時間を約束してくれる宿と言えそうだ。
津山の文化や歴史を体感できる立地. 県内屈指の名湯「百々湯」が楽しめる. コーヒーやスイーツが豊富なラウンジ
「古い街並みそのものが保存されている、「倉敷美観地区」の中心部に建つ「料理旅館 鶴形」。1744 年に建てられた商家を宿泊施設として利用しており、同じ地区で重要文化財に指定されている建物と並んで、由緒正しい建造物として知られている。客室は、その歴史と日本建築の粋をあ ち感じられるものばかり。中でも「阿知」は、樹齢 400 年に及ぶ老松を擁する庭園を縁側から眺められ、穏やかな時間の流れを堪能できる。料理は、四季折々の山海の幸を味わえる会席スタイル。柳の並木と白壁の土蔵が立ち並ぶ倉敷川沿いをそぞろ歩き、タイムスリップしたような感覚のまま宿にチェックインするという、貴重な体験が待っている。チェックアウト後は、船頭が手こぎで進める「くらしき川舟流し」に乗って、 宿を見上げて余韻に浸ってほしい。
江戸時代に建てられた商家を利用した旅館. 歴史と日本建築を感じられる客室. 四季折々の旬の食材を楽しめる会席料理
瀬戸内海の潮風と美しい眺望が、心も体もリラックスさせてくれる「UNOHOTEL」。このホテルは風呂が格別だ。海に面した「沢の湯」と「棚田の湯」の 2 つの露天風呂では、水墨画のような瀬戸内海の景観を眺めながら、潮風を感じつつ爽快な湯を楽しめる。さらに、体に塩をすり込んで身体の老廃物を流す塩サウナや、ヒノキパウダーの発酵熱を利用して温浴し、免疫力を高める酵素風呂まで完備。客室では、瀬戸内の海 と地元の名産品として知られるデニムを連想させる青をアクセントに、この土地ならではのモチーフが随所に散りばめられている。瀬戸内の食材を、たっぷり使ったフレンチ創作料理も絶品。自ら農家のもとを訪れたり、オーブンを使わず一面ずつ魚に火入れしたり
瀬戸内海を一望できる天然温泉. 日本の伝統加工技術『名栗』を床に施した客室. デニムブルーが美しい、潮風を感じる部屋
江戸時代後期に民家として建てられ、明治期に旅館として創業。以来、「おツタもてなしの心」を守り続けて 100 年余の年月を重ねた。「楓」、「蔦」、「紅葉」など木の名を付けた6つの部屋はどれも意匠の凝った造りで、建築され た往時を今に伝える。中でも「楓」は、日本の近代化に影響を与えた坂本龍馬が利用した部屋として有名で、100 年を超えた今も、当時の風情を残している。吉井旅館のモットーである「おもてなしの心」は、提供される料理にも宿る。豊かな自然に恵まれた瀬戸内の旬を味わう季節懐石は、見た目の美しさも魅力。五感を使って存分に堪能してほしい。無 コ ウ ヤ マ キ料で貸し切れるヒノキ風呂、高野槇風呂は落ち着く空間で、旅の疲れを癒やしてくれるはず。育まれた歴史を感じながら、ゆったりと過ごしたい人にぴったりの宿である。
好きな時間に楽しめる貸切風呂. 朝食は品数豊富な和食御膳. 坂本龍馬が泊まった部屋 tj