Okayama

Okayama Prefecture, known for its delicious fruit, is often called the land of sunshine and Momotaro, the "Peach Boy" is the local hero and symbol. Okayama City, the prefectural capital and largest city, is home to the imposing, black Okayama Castle and Okayama Korakuen, one of Japan's three greatest landscape gardens. Nearby, the historic merchant town of Kurashiki is famous for its canals and relatively unchanged atmosphere, while Kojima hosts some of the world's greatest denim manufacturers. Okayama also serves as a jump-off point for Naoshima, a modern art haven in nearby Kagawa Prefecture.