The Kibi Plain (吉備路, Kibiji) is a charming, rural flatland just outside of central Okayama City that is covered in sprawling fields and dotted with shrines, temples and small clusters of farmhouses. The plain is best explored from an attractive cycling trail which visits several historic sights along the way.
During the 4th century the Kibi Plain was the center of the Kibi Kingdom, an ancient clan that controlled much of modern day Okayama Prefecture and whose power rivaled that of the dominant Yamato Clan in today's Nara Prefecture. A few historic sights related to the kingdom, such as large burial mounds and some shrines, can be found scattered around the plain.
The kingdom is known for the Legend of Prince Kibitsuhiko, a prince from the rivaling Yamato Clan who was dispatched to the Kibi Kingdom to defeat a tyrannical ogre and pacified the Kibi Region. This legend became the foundation of the even more famous local folktale of Momotaro, which chronicles the journey of a small boy, born of a peach, who defeats a band of ogres who were terrorizing the countryside from a nearby island (sometimes associated with Megijima Island in Takamatsu).
A popular 17 kilometer long cycling route leads through the Kibi Plain between Bizen-Ichinomiya and Soja Stations. The route loosely follows the legend of Prince Kibitsuhiko and passes several important shrines, temples and burial mounds along the way. The trip can be made in either direction, but the route is a little bit easier to find if starting from Bizen-Ichinomiya Station. Bicycles can be rented at either station and can be dropped off at the other end or at the rental shop near Bitchu-Kokubunji Temple.
| 350 meters |
|
| 1.7 kilometers |
|
| 3.5 kilometers |
|
| 3.7 kilometers |
|
| 2.3 kilometers |
|
| 5 kilometers |
Getting there and around
Bicycle rental shops can be found in front of Bizen-Ichinomiya Station and Soja Station and near Bitchu-Kokubunji Temple. They are open daily from 9:00 to 17:00. One-day rentals start at 1500 yen, and bicycles can dropped off at a different location for an additional fee of 500 yen.
How to get to Bizen-Ichinomiya Station
Okayama and Bizen-Ichinomiya Stations are connected by the JR Kibi Line (aka Momotaro Line) every 30 minutes. The one way trip takes about 10 minutes, costs 210 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
How to get to Soja Station
Okayama and Soja Stations are connected by twice hourly trains along the JR Kibi Line (aka Momotaro Line, 35-40 minutes, 420 yen) or by once or twice hourly trains via the JR Hakubi Line (30 minutes, 510 yen). Both routes are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Okayama
-
-
![]()
3 WellnessSet 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 as well as free private parking for guests who drive. This 3-star hotel offers luggage storage space. AEON Mall Okayama is 4.1 km from the hotel and Shimoishii Park is 4.1 km away. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering 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. Sky Mall 21 Shopping Street is 4.3 km from the accommodation, while Okayama Baptist Church is 4.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 16 km from 3 Wellness.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Hotel Granvia OkayamaDirectly 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 hour’s 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.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Dormy Inn Okayama Natural Hot SpringAttractively 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.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Torii-KuguruOpened in July 2013, Torii-Kuguru offers free Wi-Fi, bicycle rentals and a launderette. This non-smoking property features a garden and a shared kitchen, a 10-minute walk from JR Okayama Station. Guests can relax in a shared lounge. The hotel has private rooms with Japanese futon bedding on a wooden floor. All rooms are air-conditioned and have heating facilities, while toilets and bathrooms are shared. From hotel Torii-Kuguru it’s only a 10-minute drive to Okayama Castle or Korakuen Park.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Okayama Koraku HotelJust 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.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Hotel Abest Grande OkayamaSet 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. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as 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. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 17 km from Hotel Abest Grande Okayama.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Via Inn OkayamaConveniently 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.View on Booking.com -
![]()
AddressHokanchoIn the Kita Ward district of Okayama, close to Houkancho Shopping Street, AddressHokancho has a shared lounge and a washing machine. This property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set less than 1 km from Kuni Shrine. Boasting a PS4, the guest house has a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, a microwave and a toaster, a living room with a seating area and a dining area, 2 bedrooms, and 1 bathroom with a bidet and a bath. Offering air conditioning, the guest house offers game console, Blu-ray player and a CD player. The guest house offers bed linen, towels and housekeeping service. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Rian Bunko Art Museum, Sci-pia: Science and Humanity Museum For The Future and AEON Mall Okayama. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 14 km from AddressHokancho.View on Booking.com -
![]()
ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama, an IHG HotelLocated 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.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Smile Hotel OkayamaSituated 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 close to Nishigawa Canal Park, Okayama Kinshu Kaikan and 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. The private bathroom is equipped with a shower and slippers. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Kochin-ji Temple, Komori Shrine and Kotohira Shrine. The nearest airport is Okayama Airport, 17 km from Smile Hotel Okayama.View on Booking.com
-
