Kyoto and Okayama are two major stations along the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. The one way trip costs around 7500 yen and takes approximately one hour by Nozomi train (multiple direct trains per hour) or 90 minutes by Hikari train (one direct train per hour).
The one way trip between Kyoto and Okayama by local trains along the JR Tokaido and Sanyo lines costs 3740 yen, takes about three hours and requires at least one transfer of trains along the way.
By highway bus
3.5 h
¥3,650 - 4,050
Ryobi Bus operates highway buses between Kyoto (JR Kyoto Station) and Okayama (JR Okayama Station). The one way trip takes about 3.5 hours and costs 3650-4050 yen depending on the date of travel. Online reservations can be made through Japan Bus Online.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Getting around
Okayama's garden, castle and museums are all located within a 15 minute walk from each other in an area about 1.5 kilometers east of Okayama Station.
There are two tram lines in Okayama, the Higashiyama Line and the Sekibashi Line, which both depart frequently from in front of Okayama Station. The most useful stop for travelers is Shiroshita (5 minutes, 120 yen) on the Higashiyama Line, from where all of Okayama's attractions can be reached on foot.
Inside central Okayama, there is a flat fare of 120 yen per tram ride, but the fare increases outside of the city center. Take a ticket when boarding through the rear door, and pay the fare when getting off through the front door. Fares can also be paid by the local Hareka smart card or by Suica, Icoca and the other major IC cards. In addition, a one day pass is available for 400 yen for unlimited tram rides on one calendar day.
Okayama also has a few bus companies operating within the city. By far the most convenient bus line for the average tourist is the Korakuen Bus (currently out of service!) which connects Okayama Station with Korakuen Garden and also stops at the Prefectural Museum of Art along the way. Buses operate every 30 minutes, and the fare is 100 yen per ride.
Set in Okayama, within 3.4 km of Rian Bunko Art Museum and 3.7 km of Kuni Shrine, 3 Wellness offers accommodation with a shared lounge and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. This 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space. Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street is 4.3 km away and Okayama Baptist Church is 4.4 km from the hotel.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some rooms also feature a kitchen with a dishwasher. At 3 Wellness the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels.
AEON Mall Okayama is 4.1 km from the accommodation, while Shimoishii Park is 4.1 km from the property. Okayama Airport is 16 km away.
Attractively situated in the Kita Ward district of Okayama, Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring is situated 200 metres from Nishigawa Canal Park, 200 metres from Okayama Baptist Church and 400 metres from AEON Mall Okayama. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking is available on site.
The rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. At Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring rooms have bed linen and towels.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast.
At Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot Spring guests are welcome to take advantage of a sauna and a spa centre.
Speaking English and Japanese at the reception, staff are willing to help at any time of the day.
Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kongo-ji Temple, Kochin-ji Temple and Okayama-ji Temple. Okayama Airport is 16 km from the property.
Directly connected to JR Okayama Station, Granvia Okayama is a 15-minute train ride from Kurashiki. It offers restaurants with 19th-floor views, an indoor pool with a sauna, as well as rooms with free WiFi and free wired internet.
Each air-conditioned room at Hotel Granvia Okayama is equipped with bath and shower facilities, a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. All rooms are also fitted with an electric kettle.
The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Koraku-en Garden and Okayama Castle. An hourfs train ride takes guests to Shikoku Island. Kibitsu Shrine is a 20-minute drive away.
French cuisine is served at Prix d'Or Restaurant, featuring panoramic views. Kibizen Restaurant offers seasonal Japanese foods. Chinese dishes and teppan-yaki are also available. Sky Lounge Applause offers beautiful views from floor-to-ceiling windows.
In the Kita Ward district of Okayama, close to Rian Bunko Art Museum, Torii-Kuguru has a garden and a washing machine. This 1-star guest house offers luggage storage space and a housekeeping service. The accommodation features bicycle parking and a shared lounge for guests.
Featuring a shared bathroom, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi.
A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house.
Popular points of interest near Torii-Kuguru include Kuni Shrine, Houkancho Shopping Street and Sci-pia: Science and Humanity Museum For The Future. Okayama Airport is 14 km from the property.
Just a 5-minute walk from JR Okayama Train Station, Okayama Koraku Hotel offers modern rooms with free wired internet and a flat-screen TV. Guests can enjoy massages and free-use bicycles.
This hotel was selected as one of the Top Romance Hotels in Japan by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2015.
The air-conditioned rooms at Koraku Hotel include a private bathroom with bathtub and amenities. Slippers, a fridge and a seating area are provided. Each room has a humidifier.
Nishigawa Ryokudo Koen Tram Station is just a 1-minute walk from the hotel. Okayama Castle is 1.5 km away, and Okayama Koraku-en Garden is about a 15-minute walk away.
The 24-hour reception offers luggage storage. A free-use microwave and coin-operated launderette are provided.
TOMOE Restaurant offers a buffet-style breakfast featuring Japanese and Western dishes from 06:30-10:00.
Set 300 metres from Nishigawa Canal Park, Hotel Abest Grande Okayama offers 3-star accommodation in Okayama and features a fitness centre, a shared lounge and a bar. The property is close to Kongo-ji Temple, Kochin-ji Temple and Kotohira Shrine. The hotel has a sauna, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property.
At the hotel, every room includes a desk and a flat-screen TV.
A business centre and vending machines with drinks are available on site at Hotel Abest Grande Okayama.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Komori Shrine, Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street and Okayama-ji Temple. Okayama Airport is 17 km away.
Conveniently located in the Kita Ward district of Okayama, Via Inn Okayama is set 500 metres from Houkancho Shopping Street, 600 metres from AEON Mall Okayama and 400 metres from Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.
All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk.
The hotel offers an American or Asian breakfast.
Popular points of interest near Via Inn Okayama include Okayama Baptist Church, Momotaro Statue and Rokkosei Memorial Statue. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 15 km from the accommodation.
Located in downtown Okayama, ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama offers comfortable and bright rooms with free WiFi, only 2-minute walk from JR Okayama Station West Exit. It features 3 dining options and a 24-hour reception, while concierge services and currency exchange are available.
Okayama ANA Crowne Plaza is a few steps from the Okayama Convention Centre and the well-known Takashimaya department store. The Koraku-en is a 10-minute taxi ride, and Okayama Airport is a 30-minute drive.
Rooms have an interior in relaxing beige tones, with contrasting dark wooden furnishings and curtains. They come with wide and extra-long beds, a flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. A safe, nightwear and toiletries are provided.
The Hotel ANA Crowne Plaza provides laundry services and luggage storage. The lobby offers free WiFi, and rental facilities are available for in-room use, such as a DVD player, an air humidifier or a trouser press. A car rental company and a minimart can be found next door.
Japanese dishes can be enjoyed at the backdrop of the city skyline, at top-floor Japanese Restaurant Kuriya-sen. Sky Bar & Lounge is also located on the 20th floor. Casual dining URBANO serves Western dishes.
Situated conveniently in the Kita Ward district of Okayama, Smile Hotel Okayama is set 300 metres from Yakushi-in Temple, 300 metres from Okayama-ji Temple and 200 metres from Kongo-ji Temple. The property is around 400 metres from Nishigawa Canal Park, 600 metres from Okayama Kinshu Kaikan and 700 metres from Shimoishii Park. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi.
The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom with a shower and slippers.
Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kochin-ji Temple, Komori Shrine and Kotohira Shrine. Okayama Airport is 17 km away.
Located within 4.1 km of Hashihime Inari Daimyojin Shrine and 4.7 km of Shimoishii Park, Hotel agehA cinq boutique (Adult Only) provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Okayama. With free WiFi, this 2-star love hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. Kyobashi no Kyokyakuato is 4.8 km from the love hotel and Okayama Baptist Church is 4.8 km away.
Each room is fitted with a private bathroom with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Guest rooms in the love hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and slippers.
The wellness area at Hotel agehA cinq boutique (Adult Only) is comprised of a sauna and a hot tub.
Okayama-ji Temple is 5 km from the accommodation, while Kongo-ji Temple is 5 km away. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 21 km from Hotel agehA cinq boutique (Adult Only).
