26 Jan Indonesian singer Fatimah, Okayama’s Muslim Friendly Trip!
Indonesian singer Icha (Fatimah Zahratunnis @icazahra), currently domiciled in Japan, visits Okayama City, Kibi Chuo City, and Maniwa City when the autumn leaves fall beautifully. Not only to enjoy the rich nature and views of autumn leaves, historical architecture, city views and feel the traditional Japanese atmosphere, but there are also halal certified food, Muslim friendly facilities, and kimono clothes that you can try on. There are many things that you can only enjoy in Okayama, such as the experience of making sushi!
The story of Icha’s Trip for 3 days 4 nights.
* Icha has appeared in Japan’s popular event, “Nodojiman The world 2015” and won the championship. With his outstanding singing ability, he is active as a singer both in Indonesia and in Japan.
<Day 1>
Arriving at KIX (Kansai international airport) Icha immediately bought a Kansai Wide Area pass which can be used to ride trains and Shinkansen as an affordable travel mode option.
Start the journey by taking the “Airport Express Hello Kitty HARUKA” from Kansai International Airport to Shin Osaka!
After arrived at Shin Osaka, transferred to the shinkansen and head for Okayama.
Today, Icha has the opportunity to ride the Hello Kitty Shinkansen, which only operates a few times a day! The shinkansen is filled with cute Hello Kitty designs, making the trip even more enjoyable.
Arriving in Okayama, the first thing to do is have lunch.
Around Okayama station there are many restaurants that have peach marks (Muslim Friendly logo).
This time, Icha enjoyed the “Yuba Set Name” which was only available in limited quantities at “Okabe Restaurant”. This restaurant is a Japanese restaurant with a Michelin guide and has a peach mark that offers dishes made from healthy and delicious tofu and vegetables that do not use meat as ingredients.
Head to the Katsuyama district in Maniwa city, northern side of Okayama prefecture.
In Katsuyama district, which is designated as a city view preservation district, there are still white-walled warehouses and merchant houses with latticed windows. Besides that, there is a symbol of the city, noren, hanging on the roofs of houses and shops, that makes you can feel the atmosphere of an ancient Japanese city.
Stay at the Yuhara Onsen / Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) “Hakkei” on the first day.
At Yuhara Onsen, there are hot spring inns and you can stop by a hand and foot bath during the trip to the hotel. Arriving at the ryokan “Hakkei”, first chose a yukata. Then put on a yukata with your favorite motif and relax in the ryokan area as well. The food that is provided uses best ingredients in each season. If you order food with the Muslim Friendly menu, you will get one that does not use pork.
For hot water baths, it is not only indoors, but there are also warm water baths that are open outdoors. In November, while enjoying the warm open water baths, you can see the beauty of the fallen leaves.
<Day 2 >
Depart from Yuhara Onsen and head for Hiruzen Kogen, one of the best resort areas in western Japan.
On the way to Hiruzen, we stopped by “Fukuda Shrine”. There is a large 650 year old ginkgo tree around here, and in the fall the leaves fall, as if they become a yellow carpet.
Unfortunately when Icha visited, she couldn’t see the scenery, but still could feel the autumn atmosphere.
Next, visited the “Hiruzen Onijodai Observatory,” which is a field of thatch. Here, you can see Hiruzen decorated with beautiful thatched leaves. If you are lucky you may see Momiji leaves and snow at the same time.
After that, we tried to make herbalium at “Hiruzen Herb Garden Herville”. You can choose dry flowers and create your own flower world in a small bottle. About 200 types of plants including lavender are cultivated in Harville, and you can enjoy different aromas depending on the season.
For lunch, we enjoyed Genghis Khan at the Hiruzen Kogen Center, which already has the peach mark. Halal certified lamb and vegetables cooked on a hot plate and served with Japanese rice made from rice that harvested in autumn season. There are lots of souvenirs at “Hiruzen Kogen Center” so you can shop too.
After Hiruzen, head to “Kamiba no Taki”, one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan. The powerful waterfall 110m high is a beautiful sight surrounded by bright autumn foliage. Sometimes, monkeys come down from the mountains and come closer.
The accommodation on the second day was “Micchan Farmers’ Inn” in Kibi Chuo-cho.
At the “farmer’s inn”, you can experience living in a Japanese rural area that has not changed since ancient times.
“Micchan” is the name of the mother at this inn.
You can harvest vegetables such as radishes and chicory from the fields, try cooking rice with kamado which makes the rice really delicious, then have a unique experience in a typical Japanese home.
Autumn is getting colder, today’s dinner is a hot pot that can warm the body.
Together with the mother (Micchan), cut the harvested vegetables, put them in the pan, had a conversations, and wait for it to finish. Using halal certified seasonings for soup broths, so that Muslim tourists can enjoy it in peace.
The bedroom, you can also feel the unique experience of sleeping in a Japanese-style room with tatami mats.
<Day 3>
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to mom (micchan).
Towards the destination on day 3!
At Kibi Chuo-cho, there is a beautiful valley called “Gokei”, which is designated as a scenic spot in Japan. In this valley there is a clear river flow and momji trees that presented as a harmony, when Icha visited the colour of momiji trees were very beautiful.
Although it is not very well known to foreign tourists visiting Japan, it is a great photo spot for viewing autumn leaves.
Next visit is Ashikaga area in Okayama City.
At Omizuen, you can see historical Japanese architecture in the Sukiya style.
After that, visit Ashikaga Plaza where you can enjoy pottery. There is a prayer room available for Muslim tourists.
Next we will head to Kibitsu Shrine. This is a shrine that is closely related to the legend of Momotaro who came from Okayama. Not only are the main shrines and shrines of worship that designated as national treasures as the only Kibitsu buildings in Japan, but there are also beautiful corridors with 360m length, which unwittingly make you want to take photos. It is said that the head of the devil is buried in this temple, and you can also try fortune telling.
Take lunch at Indian restaurant “Mirenga”. “Mirenga” has a halal certificate, you can choose and eat all menus without worry. All the food has volume and of course makes the stomach full. In Mirenga, a prayer room is also provided.
Next, visit the historic Okayama Castle which has been around for 400 years. You can enjoy Okayama Castle not only from the inside, but also from the outside, but inside the castle you can try various activities and experiences. One of the experience is trying to wear a kimono. Icha took a photo wearing a beautiful kimono worn by the palace princess. To try the kimono, it is free of charge.
* Due to the renovation of Okayama Castle, you will not be able to enter Okayama Castle from around June 2021 to autumn 2022.
How about trying Kibi Dango for a snack?
Hiroeido’s Kibi Dango has been certified halal, and also has white peach and matcha flavours, which can be packaged as souvenirs.
Before starting activities at night, check in at Hotel Gravia.
It is directly connected to Okayama Station and there is also a prayer room that can be used by non hotel guests, and if you make a reservation in advance, you can have dinner using halal meat. In addition, some deluxe family rooms can accommodate up to 7 people, making them perfect for staying with friends and family.
After a short break at the hotel, take the tram from Okayama station and get off at Okayama Korakuen.
Enjoying the Okayama kourakuen garden and Okyama Castle that glow at night, you will surely be surprised by the different views from the daytime view.
* Night ligh-up is usually held during certain periods in spring, summer, and autumn.
The last dinner in Okayama was sukiyaki at the hot pot restaurant “Megu”.
Everyone has their own hot pot, using halal-certified meat, halal-certified seasonings, and even halal hot pot, so you can eat sukiyaki and shabu shabu as much as you want.
On the way back to the hotel, enjoy the illuminations along the river across the city.
<Day 4>
The last day, starting with the first “Maneki Neko museum” in Japan.
At a power spot that brings happiness with more than 700 “Maneki Neko”, you can also experience “Maneki Neko” painting and bring home your original “Maneki Neko” as a souvenir.
At a sushi restaurant Kidoairaku, you not only can eat sushi but also try the experience of making sushi. First practice using special ingredients for practice, then using real sushi rice and all ingredients. Icha gets the results from her practice and can make sushi perfectly.
After lunch and rest, going to visit Oninojo.
Onino Castle is one of Momotarou’s legends and is said to be the castle where demons live. The castle was once built on the mountain, and the gates have now been renovated. There are rooms located in an open area on top of the mountain and have a superb view overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.
At the end of the trip in Okayama, go visit Kurashiki Bikan district.
You can enjoy views of the old town created by traditional buildings and retro-modern landscapes along the Kurashiki River that captivate visitors.
At “Ote Manju Cafe”, you can eat “Ote Manju”, one of Japan’s three main manju, which are steamed manju that can be enjoyed with coffee or tea. Next, try out the many mysterious and surprising attractions at the “Karakuri Momotaro Museum”. No doubt this will be very fun.
Kurashiki is the number one canvas manufacturer in Japan, producing around 70% of canvas domestically. The highest quality canvas made in Kurashiki is called “Kurashiki Canvas”, and there are many beautiful bags such as totes and backpacks. You’ll find a bag that will make you fall in love at the first sight.
Finally, try a very delicious dessert.
Kurashiki is also the birthplace of Japanese jeans and is also said to be a holy place for jeans enthusiasts. There is a denim street in the beauty area of Kurashiki, and you can enjoy denim ice cream with denim colours. For the taste …. please try it by yourself!! haha
Icha has enjoyed 3 days and 4 nights in Okayama, but seems to want more.
In Okayama, Muslim tourists can enjoy everything without worry.
So, please come and visit Okayama!