25 Aug Hadi Fayyadh, soccer player of Okayama football club from Malaysia
Malaysian player form Fagiano Okayama Football Club, Hadi Fayyadh rediscover the charm of Okayama through the following video.
Besides Hadi being active as a professional soccer player in Okayama, he is also an ambassador for Okayama area.
* As long as there is no lifting of emergency status, to avoid the spread of infection of COVID-19, the interviews already with a number of people who have been determined according to the procedure.
You can see the details of the places visited in the video below.
Please use it as a reference for your amazing trip and have a lot of fun.
Upon arrival at JR Okayama Station, you can check in at the Hotel Granvia Okayama which is connected to the station. You can leave your luggage at the hotel and prepare for travel
▼ Hotel Granvia Okayama
・ Preparation of the room with a Qibla sign
・ Rent a qibla and prayer mat
・ Free use of prayer room
Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle are easily accessible via the Tram from Okayama Station.
The stunning views of Okayama Castle as well as the panoramic green views of Korakuen can be enjoyed during the day, however, in spring, summer and autumn only operate during certain hours, as well as the garden with a fantastic atmosphere that is open at night.
▼ Korakuen Garden Okayama
・ One of the three most famous gardens in Japan
・ Included in Japon’s Three Star Michelin Green Guide book
・ Enjoy various scenery in every season
・ At the Matcha teahouse located in the garden, you can enjoy matcha and Kibi-dango that have Halal certified.
▼ Okayama Castle
・ Because the walls are black, it is called a “crow palace” with the color analogy of a crow.
・ Can participate in a dress experience (free) at Okayama Castle
There is also a historical shrine in Okayama. During the rainy season (usually early June to late June), hydrangeas bloom brightly, and if you are lucky, you can find hydrangeas with beautiful heart shapes.
▼ Kibitsu Shrine
・ One of the Japanese heritage
・ A corridor about 400m long
・ The main hall and worship hall are designated as national treasures.
In Okayama there is also a mosque dedicated to Muslim-friendly tourism.
▼ Okayama Islamic Center
・ At a mosque, tourists can come and pray
・ Many people gather for praying every Friday afternoon
・ There are many Muslim friendly restaurants in the vicinity.
We also recommend the “Micchan Farmstays ” in Kibichuo where the traveler could experience living with Japanese family.
▼ “Micchan” Farmstays
・ We can experience directly harvesting fruits and vegetables also we can have Japanese home cooking experience
・ Accommodation is possible
・ There are few household that we can stay in Kibichou-cho (Muslim friendly)
・ About 1 hour by bus from Okayama Station
* Prior reservation is required
In Maniwa City, there are many interesting places where you can enjoy the nature.
▼ Kanba Falls
・ It is a majestic and beautiful waterfall chosen as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan
・ Depending on the time of day, you can find wild monkeys around the waterfall area.▼ Bicchu Kanachi Cave
・ It is known as the oldest limestone cave in Japan
・ About 300m of the total length of 800m is accessable for tourist
・ The temperature inside the cave throughout the year is 9 degrees Celsius, so we can feel the air is cool in summer and warm in winter.
Why don’t you visit the Katsuyama district in Maniwa City, called the “Noren City” or “City of Goodwill” You’ll definitely want to pause and take photos while traveling through the streets of Ancient Japan.
▼ Katsuyama District
・ The old streets with white walls and lattice windows are still left, so you can get a glimpse of the old Japanese streets
・ Also known as “Noren Machi” or can be called “City of Goodwill”, because you can feel goodness and kindness in every areas in city.
・ You can try to color the plants and bring home the work as a souvenir
・ Advance reservation required. Staff who can speak English are stationed
At Hiruzen Kogen Highland, you can enjoy seasonal activities with family, friends, and partners while being surrounded by natural scenery.
▼ Hiruzen Kogen Highland
・ A leading highland resort in western Japan where you can enjoy a combination of various stunning natural landscapes.
・ In winter, children and adults can enjoy playing snow activities.
・ You can also enjoy the gentle breeze and nature while cycling (bicycle rental available)
・ You can experience making ice cream using cow’s milk.
Hanzaki Center, which is a special natural monument of “Giant Salamander” which only exists in a limited number of places in Japan, one of which is in Okayama.
▼ Hanzaki Center (Giant Salamander Conservation Center)
・ In Yubara Onsen Village
・ Large salamanders are still on the nearby river
One of the things that shouldn’t be missed when traveling in Japan is the “Onsen Hot spring”. Let’s rest your mind and body at Yubara Onsen Village in Maniwa City. At Yubara Onsen, there are Onsen that can be used by non-guests, as well as Muslim-friendly facilities.
▼ Yubara Onsen Hot Spring Village
・ There is a hand bath and a foot bath which can be used by non-guests.
・ There are hot spring inns that offer Muslim friendly food.
In Okayama, there are many Muslim-friendly restaurants, so that Muslim travelers can enjoy their trips without worry. You can also enjoy sushi, ramen, and Japanese food like shabu-shabu or sukiyaki. We hope you will enjoy a lot of food.
▼ Hitorinabe Megumi
・ Each one consists of a shabu-shabu or sukiyaki pot, so you can enjoy them however you want.
・ Halal certified beef and non-alcoholic sukiyaki sauce are also available
In the Okayama area, you can enjoy tourist attractions, Muslim friendly restaurants, and accommodation and it is possible to arrange sightseeing trips according to traveler purposes such as school exchanges, conventions, etc.
Okayama City：http://okayamahealthtourism.com/citytown-introduction/okayama-city/
Kibichou Town http://okayamahealthtourism.com/citytown-introduction/kibichuo/
Maniwa City：http://okayamahealthtourism.com/citytown-introduction/maniwa/
Click here for questions regarding subsidies and consultation on educational travel and conventions (as of August 2020) : info@okayamahealthtourism.com
* Okayama Health Tourism (OHT) is an organization that provides Muslim Friendly tourism, which is run by Okayama City, Kibichuo Town and Maniwa City.