Hi everyone!
I'm a Japanese living in Maniwa city (Northern Okayama) since December. This city doesn't see many international tourists, but I think it's an interesting and unique place. I'd love to share the some information about the city. Honestly, I'm also considering launching a business here, possibly an accommodation or an English guide, so any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated!
What to see/do:
- Rich of nature: You can enjoy seasonal landscapes, like the blooming cherry blossoms right now
- Hot springs: There's a FREE, mixed-gender public open-air bath!
- Cycling at Hiruzen Highland resort
- Sake breweries: Visit Tsuji Shuzo and Ochi Shuzo to taste local sake
- Historic streets of Katsuyama and Shinjo
- Kamba water falls: There are also wild monkeys!
- Former Senkyo Elementary School: You can even try on a school uniform and take some fun photos!
- Enjoy the quiet and peaceful time!
Location:
Maniwa is in Northern Okayama prefecture. It’s about 2 hours by express bus or 2.5 hours by train from central Okayama station, and around 3.5 h by train from Matsue (In case of the trains transfer will be needed). It’s a reasonable place to stop and spend a couple of days if you'd like to travel between Setouchi areas and San-in areas.
Notes:
- Less tourists here, so you can escape the crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience.
- Most local people don't speak English…
- It would be difficult to find the restaurant sometimes.
- There are no clubs or party spots, so would be healthy days.
For more info and photos, you can check out the official tourism website. Visit Maniwa
If you’ve been to Maniwa I’d love to hear your experiences too!
by Neither_Village2295
4 comments
Mod note: Please note that this is a one time allowance done, because it is a somewhat interesting place and appears extremely rare in people’s itineraries. Repeated postings will be removed.
Non mod notes: Yubara Onsen is a fairly well known and interesting onsen resort town and probably be the main draw.
As a former long-time Okayama resident, I agree that the Maniwa area is a beautiful spot to visit. The old streets of Katsuyama are most likely empty and you can enjoy it, no risk of over-tourism there.
Maniwa is not the easiest place to access, but JR serves it.
Like the mod mentioned, Yubara onsen is an excellent onsen town, not too far. It’s probably the free mixed bath mentioned. I have been a couple of times and it’s really unique. I’ve also stayed the night in Yubara in a ryokan.
If you are looking for something unique, I do encourage people to venture in the Okayama countryside.
If not many locals speak English, I think your idea to be an English guide would be wonderful!
Thank you for the post. We were just in Japan last week and was in Okayama end of March and would have made the side trip to Maniwa. We travelled with our teens so we weren’t interested in party spots and was in Okayama after hitting Kyoto and Osaka so a quiet day or two would have been nice.
This will definitely be a stop next time we visit