Okayama, Okayama
Encyclopedia
is the capital
city
of Okayama Prefecture
in the Chūgoku region
of Japan.
The city was founded on June 1, 1889. As of August 2010, the city has an estimated population of 705,224 and a population density
of 893 persons per km². The total area is 789.88 km².
The city is the site of Kōraku-en
and the black Okayama Castle
, which is ranked among the best 100 Japanese castle
s. The city is famous as the setting of the Japanese fable
"Momotarō
".
, Okayama was one corner of a farm region and included a small castle built by the Kanemitsu. In the Sengoku period
, Ukita Naoie
attacked Okayama and attacked the castle for the transportation resources and extensive farmland in the region. Naoie remodeled the castle, built the old Sanyo road to the central part of the castle town, and called in tradesmen both from inside and outside of Bizen province
. Okayama became the political and economical capital of Bizen province.
, who was the son of Naoie and the lord of Okayama, lost at the Battle of Sekigahara
. The next year, Kobayakawa Hideaki
came to Okayama and became the feudal lord of Okayama Domain
. Hideaki died in 1602, however, ending the Kobayakawa line. Ikeda Tadatugu, who was the feudal lord of Himeji Domain
, became the next lord of Okayama. After this time, Okayama was ruled by the Ikedas until the latter part of the 19th century. Continuing its economic development, Okayama became one of the ten best large castle towns in Japan in the 18th century. The Korakuen Garden was developed by the fourth feudal lord, Ikeda Tsunamasa
.
authority (Prefectures of Japan). Okayama became the capital of Okayama Prefecture. In 1889, Okayama city was founded. In the Meiji period
, a railroad was built in Okayama city that greatly enhanced the development of the city. For example, the and were established in Okayama city. Okayama became one of the most important places in western Japan for transportation and education. When World War II began, Okayama city had a Japanese Army
base camp. On June 29, 1945, the city was attacked by the US Army with incendiary bombs. Almost all the city was burned, and many people died. Okayama suffered terrible damage in the war.
began service between and stations. Two years later, Shinkansen service was extended to .
In 1988, the Seto-Ōhashi Bridge was opened, and connected Okayama with Shikoku directly by rail and road.
The city became a core city
in 1996 and a designated city on April 1, 2009.
. The city is bounded on the south by the Inland Sea.
Since Okayama became a designated city in 2009, the city has been divided into four wards
(ku).
Kojima, Mitsu, and Akaiwa districts have all since been dissolved.
as Humid Subtropical Cfa.
The local climate is warm enough throughout the year to support olive
trees. Okayama is often called "The Sunny Country" because of its low rainfall.
. The main industries are machine tools, chemicals, foodstuffs and printing. Kōnan, a district in the southern part of the city, is the most developed industrial zone.
and Sōja
. The main commercial district is Omotechō, near Okayama Castle
and Kōrakuen
, and the area surrounding Okayama Station
. Omotechō has many covered shopping arcades.
The headquarters of Aeon Corporation
, a private English language school with more than 3,000 employees, is located in Okayama.
Okayama Castle
and Kōraku-en
are Okayama's most notable attractions.
Okayama Castle (nicknamed Ujō (烏城), meaning "crow castle") was constructed in 1597 by Ukita Naoie
, a Japanese feudal lord. It was destroyed by bombing in 1945 during World War II but reconstructed in 1966.
Kōraku-en
, known as one of the three best traditional gardens in Japan, lies south of the castle grounds. Kōrakuen was constructed by Ikeda Tsunamasa
over 14 years, and completed in 1700.
Sōgen-ji, a large Buddhist monastery
belonging to the Rinzai sect
, is located near the center of the city. Several of the abbots of major monasteries in Kyoto
are from Sōgen-ji.
, the Okayama Symphony Orchestra, which performs at the Okayama Symphony Hall.
There are many museums in the city, including the Okayama Prefectural Museum
, the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art, the Hayashibara Museum of Art
, the Yumeji Art Museum, and the Okayama Digital Museum.
The Sanyo Shimbun
and the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun are the local newspapers serving the greater Okayama area. The former publishes both morning and evening editions while the latter publishes an evening edition only. There are six television stations serving the Okayama area and part of Kagawa Prefecture
. Three FM and three AM radio stations also serve the region.
TV Stations
Radio Stations
team Okayama Seagulls
and football
club Fagiano Okayama have been established. In 2009, Fagiano Okayama FC gained promotion to the J. League
, the highest football league in Japan.
Okayama University
, founded as a medical school in 1870 and established in 1949 as a national university, is located in the city. Today, Okayama University is one of Okayama's largest universities, with 11 faculties and 6 graduate schools.
There are seven private universities, three junior colleges, 24 high schools (16 public, 8 private), seven combined junior high/high schools (2 public, 5 private), 37 junior high schools (36 municipal, 1 national) and 93 elementary schools (91 municipal, 2 private) located in the city.
Universities
is a major interchange, with trains from Shikoku
, San'in and San'yo connecting to the Sanyō Shinkansen
. Local rail lines serving Okayama Station include:
. It is managed by Okayama Electric Tramway
and offers two lines: the Higashiyama Main Line and the Seikibashi Line.
, located in the northern part of the city, provides domestic service to Tokyo-Haneda, Sapporo-Chitose, Okinawa-Naha, and Kagoshima. International air service is provided to Seoul-Incheon, Guam, Beijing, Shanghai-Pudong, and Dalian.
, United States (1957) San José, Costa Rica
(1969) Plovdiv
, Bulgaria (1972) Luoyang
, China (1981) Bucheon
, South Korea (2002) Hsinchu City, Taiwan (2003) Kanpur, India (2005)
Prefectural capital
A prefectural capital is a city where a prefectural government and assembly is located.-Japan:In Japan, a prefectural capital is called .-List of Japanese prefectural capitals:-Non capitals that share a name with their prefecture:...
city
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
of Okayama Prefecture
Okayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Okayama.- History :During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.- Geography :...
in the Chūgoku region
Chugoku region
The , also known as the , is the westernmost region of Honshū, the largest island of Japan. It consists of the prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori and Yamaguchi. It has a population of about 7.8 million.- History :...
of Japan.
The city was founded on June 1, 1889. As of August 2010, the city has an estimated population of 705,224 and a population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 893 persons per km². The total area is 789.88 km².
The city is the site of Kōraku-en
Koraku-en
, is a Japanese garden located in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture. It is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, along with Kenroku-en and Kairaku-en. Korakuen was built in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, lord of Okayama. The garden's form almost had turned into the modern form in 1863.- History :In 1687,...
and the black Okayama Castle
Okayama Castle
is a Japanese castle in the city of Okayama in Okayama Prefecture in Japan. The main tower was completed in 1597, destroyed in 1945 and replicated in concrete in 1966...
, which is ranked among the best 100 Japanese castle
Japanese castle
' were fortresses composed primarily of wood and stone. They evolved from the wooden stockades of earlier centuries, and came into their best-known form in the 16th century...
s. The city is famous as the setting of the Japanese fable
Fable
A fable is a succinct fictional story, in prose or verse, that features animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized , and that illustrates a moral lesson , which may at the end be expressed explicitly in a pithy maxim.A fable differs from...
"Momotarō
Momotaro
is a popular hero from Japanese folklore. His name literally means Peach Tarō; as Tarō is a common Japanese boy's name, it is often translated as Peach Boy...
".
Sengoku period to Tensho era
Before the Muromachi periodMuromachi period
The is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate, which was officially established in 1338 by the first Muromachi shogun, Ashikaga Takauji, two years after the brief Kemmu restoration of imperial...
, Okayama was one corner of a farm region and included a small castle built by the Kanemitsu. In the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
, Ukita Naoie
Ukita Naoie
was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period. He was born in Bizen Province, to Ukita Okiie, a local samurai leader. After the assassination of Naoie's grandfather Yoshiie in 1534, he was left homeless along with his father, but both were soon taken in by Murakami Munekage, the lord of Tenjinzan...
attacked Okayama and attacked the castle for the transportation resources and extensive farmland in the region. Naoie remodeled the castle, built the old Sanyo road to the central part of the castle town, and called in tradesmen both from inside and outside of Bizen province
Bizen Province
was a province of Japan on the Inland Sea side of Honshū, in what is today the southeastern part of Okayama Prefecture. It was sometimes called , with Bitchu and Bingo Provinces. Bizen borders Mimasaka, Harima, and Bitchū Provinces....
. Okayama became the political and economical capital of Bizen province.
Edo period
In 1600, Ukita HideieUkita Hideie
was the daimyo of Bizen and Mimasaka provinces , and one of the council of Five Elders appointed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Son of Ukita Naoie, he married Gohime, a daughter of Maeda Toshiie...
, who was the son of Naoie and the lord of Okayama, lost at the Battle of Sekigahara
Battle of Sekigahara
The , popularly known as the , was a decisive battle on October 21, 1600 which cleared the path to the Shogunate for Tokugawa Ieyasu...
. The next year, Kobayakawa Hideaki
Kobayakawa Hideaki
Kobayakawa Hideaki was fifth son of Kinoshita Iesada and the nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.He was adopted by Hideyoshi and called himself Hashiba Hidetoshi and Shusen . He was then again adopted by Kobayakawa Takakage and renamed himself Hideaki...
came to Okayama and became the feudal lord of Okayama Domain
Okayama Domain
The ' was a Japanese feudal domain of the Edo period, located in modern-day Okayama Prefecture. The domain sided with the Kyoto government during the Boshin War.-List of Daimyo:*Kobayakawa clan, 1600-1602 #Hideaki...
. Hideaki died in 1602, however, ending the Kobayakawa line. Ikeda Tadatugu, who was the feudal lord of Himeji Domain
Himeji Domain
The ' was a Japanese domain of the Edo Period, located in Harima Province .-List of lords:*Ikeda clan #Terumasa#Toshitaka#Mitsumasa*Honda clan #Tadamasa#Masatomo#Masakatsu...
, became the next lord of Okayama. After this time, Okayama was ruled by the Ikedas until the latter part of the 19th century. Continuing its economic development, Okayama became one of the ten best large castle towns in Japan in the 18th century. The Korakuen Garden was developed by the fourth feudal lord, Ikeda Tsunamasa
Ikeda Tsunamasa
was a Japanese daimyo of the Edo period, who ruled the Okayama Domain.His adopted daughter married the court noble Ichijō Kaneka.-See also:*Koraku-en...
.
Meiji Restoration to World War II
On August 29, 1871, the new Meiji government of the Empire of Japan replaced the traditional feudal domain system with centralized governmentGovernment
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
authority (Prefectures of Japan). Okayama became the capital of Okayama Prefecture. In 1889, Okayama city was founded. In the Meiji period
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
, a railroad was built in Okayama city that greatly enhanced the development of the city. For example, the and were established in Okayama city. Okayama became one of the most important places in western Japan for transportation and education. When World War II began, Okayama city had a Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
base camp. On June 29, 1945, the city was attacked by the US Army with incendiary bombs. Almost all the city was burned, and many people died. Okayama suffered terrible damage in the war.
Since World War II
During Japan's economic miracle of the 1960s, Okayama developed rapidly as one of the most important cities in the Chūgoku and Shikoku regions. In 1972, the Sanyō ShinkansenSanyō Shinkansen
The is a line of the Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail network, connecting Shin-Ōsaka in Osaka with Hakata Station in Fukuoka, the two largest cities in western Japan...
began service between and stations. Two years later, Shinkansen service was extended to .
In 1988, the Seto-Ōhashi Bridge was opened, and connected Okayama with Shikoku directly by rail and road.
The city became a core city
Core city
A is a class of Japanese city created by the first clause of Article 252, Section 22 of the Local Autonomy Law of Japan. Core cities are delegated many functions normally carried out by prefectural governments, but not as many as designated cities...
in 1996 and a designated city on April 1, 2009.
Geography
The city of Okayama is located in the southern part of Okayama Prefecture, which in turn is located in western part of the island of HonshūHonshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
. The city is bounded on the south by the Inland Sea.
Since Okayama became a designated city in 2009, the city has been divided into four wards
Wards of Japan
A is a subdivision of one of the cities of Japan that is large enough to have been designated by government ordinance. Wards are used to subdivide each city designated by government ordinance...
(ku).
| Ward | Population | Area (km²) | Density (per km²) |
Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kita-ku Kita-ku, Okayama is one of four wards of Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The ward has an area of 451.03 km² and a population of 295,312. The population density is 655 per square kilometer... (administrative center) |
295,312 | 451.03 | 655 | |
| Naka-ku Naka-ku, Okayama is one of four wards of Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The ward has an area of 51.24 km² and a population of 138,949. The population density is 2,711 per square kilometer. The name means "Central Ward."... |
138,949 | 51.24 | 2,711 | |
| Higashi-ku Higashi-ku, Okayama is one of four wards of Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The ward has an area of 160.28 km² and a population of 96,718. The population density is 603 per square kilometer. The name means "East Ward."... |
96,718 | 160.28 | 603 | |
| Minami-ku Minami-ku, Okayama is one of four wards of Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The ward has an area of 127.36 km² and a population of 165,193. The population density is 1,297 per square kilometer. The name means "South Ward."... |
165,193 | 127.36 | 1,297 | |
| Population as of October 1, 2005 | ||||
Mergers
- On March 22, 2005, the town of MitsuMitsu, Okayamawas a town located in Mitsu District, Okayama, Japan.On March 22, 2005 Mitsu, along with the town of Nadasaki, from Kojima District, was merged into the expanded city of Okayama....
, from Mitsu DistrictMitsu District, Okayamawas a district located in Okayama, Japan. As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 22,923. The total area is 345.10 km².On April 1, 1900, the district was founded after the mergers of Mino and Tsudaka Districts....
, and the town of NadasakiNadasaki, Okayamawas a town located in Kojima District, Okayama, Japan.On March 22, 2005, Nadasaki, along with the town of Mitsu, from Mitsu District, was merged into the expanded city of Okayama....
, from Kojima DistrictKojima District, Okayamawas a district located in Okayama, Japan.As of 2003, the district had an estimated population of 15,872 and a density of 514.32 persons per km². The total area was 30.86 km²....
, merged into the city of Okayama. - On January 22, 2007, the town of TakebeTakebe, Okayamawas a town located in Mitsu District, Okayama, Japan.On January 22, 2007 Takebe, along with town of Seto, from Akaiwa District, was merged into the expanded city of Okayama....
, from Mitsu District, and the town of SetoSeto, Okayamawas a town located in Akaiwa District, Okayama, Japan.On January 22, 2007 Seto, along with town of Takebe, from Mitsu District, was merged into the expanded city of Okayama....
, from Akaiwa DistrictAkaiwa District, OkayamaAkaiwa was a district located in Okayama, Japan. As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 14,945.The total area is 41.78 km²...
, merged into the city of Okayama.
Kojima, Mitsu, and Akaiwa districts have all since been dissolved.
Climate
Okayama has a mild climate in comparison to most of Japan. The city is ranked as the second driest and the fourth sunniest city in the Chūgoku region. The climate is classified under the Köppen climate classificationKöppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
as Humid Subtropical Cfa.
The local climate is warm enough throughout the year to support olive
Olive
The olive , Olea europaea), is a species of a small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean Basin as well as northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea.Its fruit, also called the olive, is of major agricultural importance in the...
trees. Okayama is often called "The Sunny Country" because of its low rainfall.
Agriculture
The city is located in the Okayama Plain, where rice, eggplant, and white Chinese chives are notable products. White peaches and grapes are cultivated in the mountainous, northern part of the city.Industry
In 2005, the city's gross domestic product was 800 billion yen, nearly 10% of the GDP of Okayama PrefectureOkayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Okayama.- History :During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.- Geography :...
. The main industries are machine tools, chemicals, foodstuffs and printing. Kōnan, a district in the southern part of the city, is the most developed industrial zone.
Commerce
Okayama is the core of the Okayama metropolitan area, which includes the cities of KurashikiKurashiki, Okayama
is a historic city located to the west of Okayama Prefecture, Japan, sitting on the Takahashi River, on the coast of the Inland Sea.As of April 2010, the city has a population of 473,392. The total area is .-History:...
and Sōja
Soja, Okayama
is a city located in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.As of April 30, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 67,357, with a household number of 24,623, and the density of 317.72 persons per km². The total area is 212.00 km².The city was founded on March 31, 1954...
. The main commercial district is Omotechō, near Okayama Castle
Okayama Castle
is a Japanese castle in the city of Okayama in Okayama Prefecture in Japan. The main tower was completed in 1597, destroyed in 1945 and replicated in concrete in 1966...
and Kōrakuen
Korakuen
In Japanese, the term kōraku in Kōrakuen refers to later pleasures. It comes from a yojijukugo which means "hardship now, pleasure later." It is derived from a poem by Fan Zhongyan.Places named Korakuen include:...
, and the area surrounding Okayama Station
Okayama Station
is a railway station located in the ward of Kita-ku, city of Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The station is operated by West Japan Railway Company ....
. Omotechō has many covered shopping arcades.
The headquarters of Aeon Corporation
AEON (eikaiwa)
is a chain of English conversation teaching companies in Japan. It is considered one of the historical "Big Four" eikaiwa schools. Although it shares a nearly identical name in English, Aeon is not affiliated with the Aeon Group, a major Japanese retail and financial services corporation.The...
, a private English language school with more than 3,000 employees, is located in Okayama.
Culture
Okayama Castle
is a Japanese castle in the city of Okayama in Okayama Prefecture in Japan. The main tower was completed in 1597, destroyed in 1945 and replicated in concrete in 1966...
and Kōraku-en
Koraku-en
, is a Japanese garden located in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture. It is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, along with Kenroku-en and Kairaku-en. Korakuen was built in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, lord of Okayama. The garden's form almost had turned into the modern form in 1863.- History :In 1687,...
are Okayama's most notable attractions.
Okayama Castle (nicknamed Ujō (烏城), meaning "crow castle") was constructed in 1597 by Ukita Naoie
Ukita Naoie
was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period. He was born in Bizen Province, to Ukita Okiie, a local samurai leader. After the assassination of Naoie's grandfather Yoshiie in 1534, he was left homeless along with his father, but both were soon taken in by Murakami Munekage, the lord of Tenjinzan...
, a Japanese feudal lord. It was destroyed by bombing in 1945 during World War II but reconstructed in 1966.
Kōraku-en
Koraku-en
, is a Japanese garden located in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture. It is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, along with Kenroku-en and Kairaku-en. Korakuen was built in 1700 by Ikeda Tsunamasa, lord of Okayama. The garden's form almost had turned into the modern form in 1863.- History :In 1687,...
, known as one of the three best traditional gardens in Japan, lies south of the castle grounds. Kōrakuen was constructed by Ikeda Tsunamasa
Ikeda Tsunamasa
was a Japanese daimyo of the Edo period, who ruled the Okayama Domain.His adopted daughter married the court noble Ichijō Kaneka.-See also:*Koraku-en...
over 14 years, and completed in 1700.
Sōgen-ji, a large Buddhist monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
belonging to the Rinzai sect
Rinzai school
The Rinzai school is , one of three sects of Zen in Japanese Buddhism.Rinzai is the Japanese line of the Chinese Linji school, which was founded during the Tang Dynasty by Linji Yixuan...
, is located near the center of the city. Several of the abbots of major monasteries in Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
are from Sōgen-ji.
Music and the arts
Okayama has a professional symphony orchestraOrchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, the Okayama Symphony Orchestra, which performs at the Okayama Symphony Hall.
There are many museums in the city, including the Okayama Prefectural Museum
Okayama Prefectural Museum
is a museum in Okayama, Japan, built to house important artifacts from the prefecture dating from prehistory through modern times.-Notable exhibits:The museum houses one National Treasure, red-laced yoroi armor from the 12th century...
, the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art, the Hayashibara Museum of Art
Hayashibara Museum of Art
Hayashibara Museum of Art is a privately owned art museum in Okayama owned by the Hayashibara Group. The owner of the collection was Ichiro Hayashibara, and the museum was opened in 1964, to honor his final wishes to display his collection to the public prior to his death...
, the Yumeji Art Museum, and the Okayama Digital Museum.
Cuisine
Okayama has several traditional dishes. , a dish made with sushi rice, contains fresh fish from the Seto Inland Sea. , a cake made from a powder of millet and rice, is also famous.Media
Sanyo Shimbun
The is a Japanese language daily newspaper published by . Headquartered in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, the newspaper cover reader is Okayama Prefecture, Kagawa Prefecture, and east part of Hiroshima Prefecture....
and the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun are the local newspapers serving the greater Okayama area. The former publishes both morning and evening editions while the latter publishes an evening edition only. There are six television stations serving the Okayama area and part of Kagawa Prefecture
Kagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku island. The capital is Takamatsu.- History :Kagawa was formerly known as Sanuki Province.For a brief period between August 1876 and December 1888, Kagawa was made a part of Ehime Prefecture.-Battle of Yashima:...
. Three FM and three AM radio stations also serve the region.
TV Stations
| Channel ID | Name | Network | Established year | Call sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NHK General TV Okayama | NHK General TV NHK General TV is the main television service of NHK . It shows news, drama, quiz/variety shows, music, sports, anime and specials which directly compete with its commercial counterparts. It is well known for its nightly newscasts, regular documentary specials and popular historical dramas... |
1957 | JOKK-(D)TV |
| 2 | NHK Educational TV Okayama | NHK Educational TV NHK Educational TV is the second television service of NHK . It is a sister service of NHK General TV, showing programs of a more educational, cultural or intellectual nature, periodically also showing anime... |
1963 | JOKB-(D)TV |
| 4 | Nishinippon Broadcasting Co.,Ltd. Nishinippon Broadcasting is a Japanese television and radio broadcaster in Kagawa and Okayama. The abbreviation, RNC originates in the radio service name... (RNC) |
NNN Nippon News Network Nippon News Network is a commercial television news network in Japan. The network is owned by Nippon Television, which itself is controlled by publishing company Yomiuri Shimbun. NNN operates a 24-hour news network, News 24, and its programming is aired on NTV stations.-Nippon News Network... |
1958 | JOKF-(D)TV |
| 5 | Setonaikai Broadcasting Co.,Ltd. Setonaikai Broadcasting is a TV station broadcasting in Kagawa and Okayama Prefectures. The abbreviation KSB stands for K. K. Setonaikai Broadcasting, the corporate name in romaji... (KSB) |
ANN All-Nippon News Network , or ANN, is a commercial television news network in Japan run by TV Asahi Corporation.-All-Nippon News Network stations:-Remote Controller Buttons of Digital TV:*1: Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting*3: TV Miyazaki*5: 20 ANN stations... |
1969 | JOVH-(D)TV |
| 6 | Sanyo Broadcasting Co.,Ltd. Sanyo Broadcasting is a Japanese television and radio broadcaster in Okayama and Kagawa. The abbreviation, RSK originates in the former name in Japanese... (RSK) |
JNN | 1958 | JOYR-(D)TV |
| 7 | TV Setouchi Broadcasting Co.,Ltd. TV Setouchi is a TV station in Japan.It is one of the TX Network stations, broadcasting in Okayama Prefecture and Kagawa Prefecture, and it is an only TXN's TV station in Chugoku-Shikoku region.... (TSC) |
TXN TXN - TV Tokyo Network stations :-External links:*... |
1985 | JOPH-(D)TV |
| 8 | Okayama Broadcasting Co.,Ltd. Okayama Broadcasting Okayama Broadcasting Co., Ltd. is a TV station broadcast in Okayama and Kagawa Prefectures. The abbreviation, OHK stands for Okayama Hoso K. K., the corporate name in romaji. It is a member TV station of Fuji News Network and Fuji Network System... (OHK) |
FNN Fuji News Network Fuji News Network is a commercial television news network in Japan. The network is run by Fuji Television Network, Inc..-Fuji News Network stations:-External links:*... |
1969 | JOOH-(D)TV |
Radio Stations
| Channel | Name | Network | Established year | Call sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM 603 kHz | NHK Radio Daiichi Okayama | NHK Radio Daiichi | 1931 | JOKK |
| AM 1386 kHz | NHK Radio Daini Okayama | NHK Radio Daini | 1946 | JOKB |
| AM 1494 kHz | Sanyo Broadcasting Co,Ltd. Sanyo Broadcasting is a Japanese television and radio broadcaster in Okayama and Kagawa. The abbreviation, RSK originates in the former name in Japanese... Radio (RSK) |
JRN Japan Radio Network Japan Radio Network or JRN is a commercial radio network in Japan. The network is run by TBS Radio & Communications, Inc. .-Japan Radio Network stations:... , NRN National Radio Network National Radio Network refers to:*National Radio Network in the United States*National Radio Network in Japan... |
1958 | JOYR |
| FM 88.7 MHz | NHK FM Okayama | NHK FM | 1964 | JOKK-FM |
| FM 76.8 MHz | FM Okayama | JFN JFN Japan FM Network is a commercial radio network in Japan. The network is run by TOKYO FM.-Japan FM Network stations:- Overseas station :- Originally in JFN, but now independent :- Stations that are planning to have frequencies removed :... |
1999 | JOVV-FM |
| FM 79.0 MHz | Radio MOMO (Okayama City FM) | J-WAVE J-Wave J-Wave is a commercial radio station based in Tokyo, Japan, broadcasting on 81.3 FM from the Tokyo Tower to the Tokyo area. J-Wave airs mostly music covering a wide range of formats. The station is considered the most popular among FM broadcasts in Tokyo, and has surprised the radio broadcast... |
1997 | JOZZ8AD-FM |
Sports
Okayama has many sports teams. In recent years, volleyballVolleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
team Okayama Seagulls
Okayama Seagulls
Okayama Seagulls is a women's volleyball team based in Okayama city, Okayama, Japan. It plays in V.premier League. The club was founded in 1999...
and football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club Fagiano Okayama have been established. In 2009, Fagiano Okayama FC gained promotion to the J. League
J. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
, the highest football league in Japan.
| Club | Sport | League | Venue | Established |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fagiano Okayama FC | Football Football (soccer) Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball... |
J. League J. League The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese... Division 2 |
Momotaro Stadium Momotaro Stadium or is a multi-purpose stadium in Okayama, Japan. It is currently used mostly for football matches and athletics events. It is the home field of Fagiano Okayama, and used for some rugby union Top League games.This stadium's capacity is 20,000 people.... (Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Athletic Stadium) |
2004 |
| Okayama Seagulls Okayama Seagulls Okayama Seagulls is a women's volleyball team based in Okayama city, Okayama, Japan. It plays in V.premier League. The club was founded in 1999... |
Volleyball Volleyball Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive... |
V.League V.League (Japan) The V.Premier League is the top-level volleyball league for both men and women in Japan. The league started in 1994.The competitions are organized by the Japan Volleyball Association.... |
Momotaro Arena Momotaro Arena Momotaro Arena is an indoor sporting arena located in Okayama, Japan. The capacity of the arena is 11,000 spectators. It host the home matches of the Okayama Seagulls of the V.League.... (Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds Gym) |
1999 |
| Serio Standing Bears | American football American football American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by... |
X-League X-League The X-League is a professional American football league in Japan. It was founded in 1971 as the Japan American Football League. It changed its name to the X-league in 1997. There are four divisions between which there is promotion and relegation. Teams in the four-tier league are split into... |
Momotaro Stadium Momotaro Stadium or is a multi-purpose stadium in Okayama, Japan. It is currently used mostly for football matches and athletics events. It is the home field of Fagiano Okayama, and used for some rugby union Top League games.This stadium's capacity is 20,000 people.... (Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Athletic Stadium) |
? |
| Citylight Okayama Baseball Team | Baseball Baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond... |
Semi-professional baseball | 2008 |
Education
Okayama University
is a national university in Japan. The main campus is located in Tsushima-Naka, Okayama, Okayama Prefecture.The school was founded in 1870 and it was established as a university in 1949.- History :...
, founded as a medical school in 1870 and established in 1949 as a national university, is located in the city. Today, Okayama University is one of Okayama's largest universities, with 11 faculties and 6 graduate schools.
There are seven private universities, three junior colleges, 24 high schools (16 public, 8 private), seven combined junior high/high schools (2 public, 5 private), 37 junior high schools (36 municipal, 1 national) and 93 elementary schools (91 municipal, 2 private) located in the city.
Universities
- Okayama UniversityOkayama Universityis a national university in Japan. The main campus is located in Tsushima-Naka, Okayama, Okayama Prefecture.The school was founded in 1870 and it was established as a university in 1949.- History :...
(National) - Notre Dame Seishin UniversityNotre Dame Seishin Universityis a private women's college in Okayama, Okayama, Japan. The predecessor of the school, women's school, was founded in 1886, and it was chartered as a university in 1949.- International Network of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Universities:...
(Private) - Okayama University of ScienceOkayama University of Scienceis a private university in Okayama, Okayama, Japan, established in 1964....
(Private) - Okayama Shoka UniversityOkayama Shoka Universityis a private university in Okayama, Okayama, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1911, and it was chartered as a university in 1965....
(Private) - Sanyo Gakuen UniversitySanyo Gakuen Universityis a private women's college in Okayama, Okayama, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1886, and it was chartered as a junior college in 1969. The international liberal arts course of the college became a four-year college in 1994....
(Private) - Shujitsu UniversityShujitsu Universityis a private university in Okayama, Okayama, Japan. The predecessor of the school, women's school, was founded in 1904, and it was chartered as a junior college in 1953. In 1979 it became a four-year women's college. Adopting the present name in 2003, it became a co-ed college in 2004.-External...
(Private) - Chugoku Gakuen UniversityChugoku Gakuen Universityis a private university in Okayama, Okayama, Japan. The school first opened as a junior college in 1962 and became a four-year college in 2002....
(Private) - International Pacific UniversityInternational Pacific Universityis a private university in Higashi-ku, Okayama, Japan, established in 2007.-External links:* *...
(Private)
Transportation
Intercity rail
JR West's Okayama StationOkayama Station
is a railway station located in the ward of Kita-ku, city of Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The station is operated by West Japan Railway Company ....
is a major interchange, with trains from Shikoku
Shikoku
is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima...
, San'in and San'yo connecting to the Sanyō Shinkansen
Sanyō Shinkansen
The is a line of the Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail network, connecting Shin-Ōsaka in Osaka with Hakata Station in Fukuoka, the two largest cities in western Japan...
. Local rail lines serving Okayama Station include:
- Sanyō Main Line
- Hakubi LineHakubi LineThe is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company in the mountainous area of the Chūgoku region of Japan. It begins at the south end of Okayama Prefecture at Kurashiki Station in Kurashiki, passing through Niimi Station on the west side of Niimi, and terminating at Hōki-Daisen Station...
- Akō LineAko Lineis a railway line of West Japan Railway Company between Aioi, Hyōgo Prefecture to Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. A branch line off the Sanyō Main Line, Akō Line originates at Aioi, runs south of the main line along the Seto Inland Sea, and rejoins the main line at Higashi-Okayama.The entire ...
- Uno LineUno LineThe is a Japanese railway line which connects Okayama Station in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture with Uno Station in Tamano, Okayama Prefecture. It is owned and run by West Japan Railway Company...
- Seto-Ōhashi Line
- Tsuyama LineTsuyama Lineis a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company between Okayama and Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.-Stations:The Tsuyama Line operates both all-stations services and a limited-stop named service called . In the table below, ● indicates all trains stop at this station, and ▲...
- Kibi LineKibi Lineis a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.-Stations:All stations are in Okayama Prefecture.-Rolling stock:...
Tramway
Okayama is one of few Japanese cities to have kept an operational tram system since the Meiji periodMeiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
. It is managed by Okayama Electric Tramway
Okayama Electric Tramway
The is a transportation company in Okayama City, Japan. The private company operates tram lines and bus lines.The company was founded in 1910, while their first tram line was opened in 1912. This is one of the few Japanese railway operators that maintain their original corporation names from the...
and offers two lines: the Higashiyama Main Line and the Seikibashi Line.
Air
Okayama AirportOkayama Airport
is an airport in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.It is located northwest of central Okayama City and northwest or 30 minutes by bus from Okayama Station. It is about 10 minutes from the Okayama interchange, Sanyo Expressway.-Airlines and destinations:...
, located in the northern part of the city, provides domestic service to Tokyo-Haneda, Sapporo-Chitose, Okinawa-Naha, and Kagoshima. International air service is provided to Seoul-Incheon, Guam, Beijing, Shanghai-Pudong, and Dalian.
Notable people
- Shin KoyamadaShin Koyamadais a film actor, producer, philanthropist and martial artist.Koyamada co-starred as “Nobutada” opposite Tom Cruise in the Warner Bros. action epic film The Last Samurai , with a worldwide box office of $456 million. Koyamada also starred in the action original movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior...
(Hollywood/Japanese actor, EntrepreneurEntrepreneurAn entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
) - Born and raised in Okayama co-starred in the Warner Bros' epic feature film The Last SamuraiThe Last SamuraiThe Last Samurai is a 2003 American epic drama film directed and co-produced by Edward Zwick, who also co-wrote the screenplay based on a story by John Logan. The film was inspired by a project developed by writer and director Vincent Ward, who had previously filmed the movie in 1990, starring...
as Nobutada and starring in Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming WarriorWendy Wu: Homecoming WarriorWendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior is a 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie starring Brenda Song and Shin Koyamada. Koyamada plays a Chinese monk who visits the title character, an American teenager played by Song, claiming Wu is the reincarnation of a powerful female warrior and the only person who can...
as Shen. - Akihiko KumashiroAkihiko Kumashirois a Japanese politician and member of the Liberal Democratic Party who served four terms in the House of Representatives of Japan. He held the District 2 seat of Okayama Prefecture. He was born in Okayama, and graduated from the University of Tokyo and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earning...
- three-time member of the House of Representatives of JapanHouse of Representatives of JapanThe is the lower house of the Diet of Japan. The House of Councillors of Japan is the upper house.The House of Representatives has 480 members, elected for a four-year term. Of these, 180 members are elected from 11 multi-member constituencies by a party-list system of proportional representation,... - Masashi KishimotoMasashi Kishimotois a Japanese manga artist, well known for creating the manga series Naruto. His younger twin brother, Seishi Kishimoto, is also a manga artist and creator of the manga series 666 Satan and Blazer Drive...
- manga artistMangakais the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist. Outside of Japan, manga usually refers to a Japanese comic book and mangaka refers to the author of the manga, who is usually Japanese...
and creator of NarutoNarutois an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of...
. - Masaki KajishimaMasaki KajishimaMasaki Kajishima , is a Japanese anime artist who works for AIC in a freelance capacity. He is best known for his work on Tenchi Muyo! and Dual! but has had a hand in creating several other anime...
- creator of Tenchi Muyo!Tenchi Muyo!, is a Japanese anime, light novel, and manga series created by Masaki Kajishima and Hiroki Hayashi.The generally accepted translation of the title is No Need for Tenchi or Useless Tenchi, though at the time of its appearance it was also translated variably as No Heaven and Earth and This Way Up... - Taiyo SugiuraTaiyo Sugiura-Early life:Sugiura was born in Okayama, Japan. He has a brother, Takao , who is two years younger. Sugiura attended Neyagawa 1st Junior High School and Osaka Sangyo University Senior High School, where he graduated from in 1999....
- Japanese actor
Sister cities
Okayama has 6 sister cities around the world. San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, United States (1957) San José, Costa Rica
San José, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...
(1969) Plovdiv
Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia with a population of 338,153 inhabitants according to Census 2011. Plovdiv's history spans some 6,000 years, with traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 4000 BC; it is one of the oldest cities in Europe...
, Bulgaria (1972) Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, China (1981) Bucheon
Bucheon
Bucheon is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is sandwiched between Incheon and Seoul. Manufacturing operations are located in the city.Bucheon promotes itself as the cultural centre of the Seoul Metropolitan Area...
, South Korea (2002) Hsinchu City, Taiwan (2003) Kanpur, India (2005)
Points of interest
- Korakuen Garden
- Tokoen Garden
- Omizuen Garden
- Handayama Botanical GardenHandayama Botanical GardenThe is a botanical garden located at 2-1319 Kitagata, Okayama, Okayama, Japan. It is open daily except Tuesdays; an admission fee is charged.The garden was founded in 1953 on a hillside site overlooking the city...
- RSK Rose Garden
- Okayama CastleOkayama Castleis a Japanese castle in the city of Okayama in Okayama Prefecture in Japan. The main tower was completed in 1597, destroyed in 1945 and replicated in concrete in 1966...
- Okayama Prefectural MuseumOkayama Prefectural Museumis a museum in Okayama, Japan, built to house important artifacts from the prefecture dating from prehistory through modern times.-Notable exhibits:The museum houses one National Treasure, red-laced yoroi armor from the 12th century...
- Okayama Orient Museum
- Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art
- Hayashibara Museum of ArtHayashibara Museum of ArtHayashibara Museum of Art is a privately owned art museum in Okayama owned by the Hayashibara Group. The owner of the collection was Ichiro Hayashibara, and the museum was opened in 1964, to honor his final wishes to display his collection to the public prior to his death...
- Yumeji Art MuseumYumeji Art MuseumYumeji Art Museum is an art museum in Okayama Prefecture split between the Honkan in Okayama and the Yumeji Seika and Shonen Sanso built in Setouchi, the birthplace of Takehisa Yumeji....
- Ikeda Zoo
- Kibiji District Cycling Road
- Ashimori Clan Samurai Residence
- Saijo Inari
- Kibitsu Shrine
- Kibitsuhiko Shrine
- Tsukuriyama Kofun
- Saidaiji Temple (Okayama)
- Sogenji Temple
- Okayama Symphony Hall
- Okayama UniversityOkayama Universityis a national university in Japan. The main campus is located in Tsushima-Naka, Okayama, Okayama Prefecture.The school was founded in 1870 and it was established as a university in 1949.- History :...