Every time I go to Japan, I tell myself, “This time, I’m not buying Shiroi Koibito.”
But once I see it at the airport, my hands honestly just grab a box anyway...
I’ve had it countless times, but the crisp cookies with white chocolate are just impossible to stop eating. It makes a great gift and is comforting to enjoy yourself too. No wonder it’s been one of Japan’s top souvenirs for so many years.
Fukiya Furusato Village
Fukiya is a town that sits quietly atop a 500-meter high plateau. It once flourished as a mining town known for copper and its red ocher, beloved by the elders who built the streetscapes in an eclectic red ocher wash during the years between the end of Edo and Meiji Periods. The elaborately decorated luxe merchant homes and estates were already a remarkable site, but the town’s use of a hired palace carpenter to design a unified look and feel for the entire area is considered especially avant garde for the times.
I really like small towns like this without too many tourists. Fukiya Furusato Village is tucked away on a mountain plateau in Takahashi, Okayama. The entire old street features warm reddish-brown tones, with red exterior walls paired with traditional Sekishu roof tiles, giving it a distinctive rustic charm even from a distance.
This was once a prosperous mining town known for copper and bengara (red iron oxide). The wealthy merchants of that era left behind many grand and beautifully detailed historic homes. Walking along the street, you can still feel traces of its former prosperity.
Compared with bustling touristy old streets, I actually prefer Fukiya's quiet atmosphere. There are no crowds, and you only occasionally come across a few travelers. It's especially relaxing to stroll and take photos at an unhurried pace.
If you like old streets, historic homes, and a sense of history but don't enjoy crowded attractions, I highly recommend spending half a day here. There's no need to rush—just taking a leisurely walk around is very enjoyable.
Katsuyama Historical Preservation District
Flourished as a castle town of Mimasaka-Katsuyama Domain. The town prospered as a post station town along the Izumo Road, where it was used as an important point for transportation by land and water.
Katsuyama, which preserves the traditional character of a castle town, is a small community filled with the feeling of everyday life. The streets aren't extensive, but they have a distinct character. What attracted me most were the noren curtains hanging at the entrance of each home. Every one has a different design, so walking along the street feels like admiring a series of little scenes.
I visited on a Friday, and there were very few tourists. The whole district was especially quiet, without bustling crowds, making it easier to slowly take in the atmosphere of the old streets and the residents' daily lives.
Okayama Momotaro Airport
An airport conveniently located 18 km from central Okayama City, Approx. 30 minutes by car to the city center and Approx. 10 minutes from the nearest interchange. Direct domestic flights operate to three cities: Tokyo, Sapporo, and Okinawa, while direct international flights serve four cities: Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, and Kaohsiung. Convenient as a gateway for access within Japan and overseas, it is used by many travelers not only from Okayama Prefecture but also from outside the prefecture.
Okayama Momotaro Airport is definitely one of the more "mini-sized" airports I've visited. It's very easy to reach from the city and serves as an important air gateway for trips to Okayama. Immigration was incredibly fast this time—it took less than half an hour from getting off the plane to walking out of the airport! After exiting, I took a bus directly to the city. The buses are timed to flight arrivals and usually wait for passengers to board and until they're nearly full before departing. The airport bus costs JPY 1,000 one way. You can buy a ticket before boarding or simply use a transit card, so it's quite convenient.
However, you should allow a little more time when departing. The airport itself isn't large, the waiting area is also small, and there's only one duty-free shop, so there isn't much to browse. Overall, although Okayama Momotaro Airport is small, arrival procedures are quick and transportation is simple, making it very convenient for independent travelers.
