12 Nov Muslim-Friendly Honeymoon Destination in Japan: 2-Day Itinerary in Okayama with Marco Ivanos and Debi Sagita
Okayama is one of Japan’s hidden gems located in the Chugoku region. This charming city makes for a perfect Muslim-friendly honeymoon destination. Known as “The Land of Sunshine” and the home of Momotaro, Okayama offers tons of history, beautiful gardens, and a peaceful atmosphere far from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
Join Marco Ivanos (@marcoivanos12) and Debi Sagita (@debisagita) as they explore Okayama in a memorable 2-day Muslim-friendly honeymoon trip.
Upon arrival and check-in at their hotel, Marco and Debi started their honeymoon journey in Okayama with a warm brothy bowl of Muslim-friendly ramen at Mensake Isshoan. This Michelin Guide-listed restaurant is famous for its rich chicken broth and is a local favorite. Mensake Isshoan offers a special curated menu and beverages for Muslim guests, allowing guests to enjoy authentic ramen with peace of mind.
(source from: @marcoivanos12)
Their first day in Okayama began with visits to two iconic landmarks—Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden. Also known as the “Crow Castle” for its striking black exterior, Okayama Castle offers a taste of authentic Japanese culture, where they dressed in traditional kimonos and posed like royalty from the feudal era.
After exploring the castle’s interior and taking in its historical charm, they took a relaxing stroll through Okayama Korakuen Garden, which is known as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Korakuen Garden has been awarded 3-star rating by the Michelin Green Guide Japan and it is a must-visit destination, especially for couples seeking an exciting yet romantic experience.
In addition to wandering the beautiful grounds, visitors can admire the magical landscape of the garden while enjoying traditional ceremonial matcha tea that is served alongside sweet mochi in Korakuen Garden—perfect for experiencing unforgettable honeymoon memories.
As for their first day lunch, Marco and Debi enjoyed warm sukiyaki at Hitori Nabe Megu. A cozy hotpot restaurant where they let visitors cook their own sukiyaki with their choice of broth and vegetables, allowing personalized flavors.
Hitori Nabe Megu also known for its certified halal Australian beef, stored in separate equipment for Muslim customers and prepared under strict hygiene and halal standards—ensuring a safe and flavorful experience for Muslim travelers.
Furthermore, after filling their tummies and strolling for a bit, Marco and Debi visited the famous Kibitsu Jinja Shrine which is well-known for its 360-meter-long wooden corridor surrounded by tranquil garden scenery. A truly magical place for reflection and admiration.
Then, the journey continued to Maneki Neko Art Museum, home to more than 700 lucky cat statues made from materials like paper, wood, and stone. A must-visit destination for art lovers and culture enthusiasts, this museum offers a unique opportunity for guests to paint their own Maneki Neko figurines—a fun and romantic activity to share with your partner.
Next destination, Marco and Debi visited Kubo Farm, where they enjoyed grape picking in the open fields. Okayama is known as Japan’s “Fruit Kingdom” due to its ideal climate, which produces fragrant and sweet fruits, including in-season muscat grapes during their visit.
At Kubo Farm, visitors can experience an unlimited amount of time of grape picking with all-you-can-eat experience. Once you finish your first bunch, you can request another—allowing you to savor fresh grapes to your heart’s content without time restrictions.
After a full day of exploring Okayama, Marco and Debi moved from Okayama City to Kibichuo Town, an area rich in nature where you can experience the “Japanese countryside.” They stayed overnight at Micchan’s Farm House, a traditional Japanese farmhouse to experience traditional Japanese life. During their stay, they learned to make sushi with the accompaniment of the host, Micchan. A special dinner was also served with customized dishes to celebrate their Muslim-friendly honeymoon in Okayama. A nice experience to end the day.
On their 2nd and final day in Okayama, Marco and Debi began their morning in Okayama by learning how to make traditional mochi at Farmhouse Micchan from scratch. From pounding the rice dough to shaping and filling the mochi with the classic red bean paste, it was a hands-on and heartfelt experience.
For breakfast, Michan served Japanese-style dishes, made with fresh vegetables handpicked from Micchan’s garden. Staying at Micchan’s farmhouse offered a healing moment away from city life. Micchan always ensures all meals are Muslim-friendly and made with fresh vegetables picked from the garden in front of her home.
After bidding their goodbyes to Michan, Marco and Debi continue their trip by visiting Hiruzen Kogen Plateau, a stunning natural area with lush green fields, vibrant seasonal flowers, and breathtaking views—perfect for romantic walks and photos.
For lunch, Marco and Debi headed to Hiruzen Kogen Center, where they savored a delicious and juicy Mongolian Lamb BBQ made with halal-certified lamb, so they can enjoy their meal without worry.
This Lamb BBQ, Genghis Khan, in Hiruzen Kogen Center has received Peach Mark 2 certification. Making it a perfect place for Muslim visitors in Okayama who are looking for muslim-friendly food options. Besides the lamb dishes, visitors can also find the largest souvenir shop on the first floor of the building—a nice place to go shopping sprees.
Located just across the street from Genghis Khan restaurant, Marco and Debi visited GREENable Hiruzen, a landmark in Hiruzen designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma. The main building, designed with the theme of “sustainability,” is very unique and sure to be Instagrammable.
On this second day in Okayama, Marco and Debi also visit another touristy place in Okayama where you can feel the old Edo era of Japan, which is Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. Just a 15-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station, this area is often referred to as the “Venice of Japan” for its charming white buildings and willow-lined canal. It’s a peaceful destination, perfect for couples to unwind and take in the beauty of historical Japan.
Kurashiki is a very famous area for jeans production, Marco and Devi headed to Kojima Jeans Street, where they picked up a pair of authentic Japanese jeans from the iconic local brand Momotaro Jeans. In this area, visitors can shop for high-quality Japanese jeans and learn about the history and evolution of Kojima’s denim industry – known as Japan’s “jeans town.” Kojima Jeans Street is a must-visit for fashion lovers, local culture enthusiasts, and those seeking an authentic shopping experience.
Marco and Debi’s 2-day honeymoon trip in Okayama is coming to an end. Before they head back, they make time to find muslim-friendly souvenirs to keep from their honeymoon in Okayama.
How was it? Isn’t it an exciting Muslim-friendly trip to Okayama with Marco Ivanos and Debi Sagita? From natural attractions, muslim-friendlu culinary delights, cultural experiences, to authentic Japanese shopping—Okayama truly has it all. Which place would you like to learn and explore more in Okayama? Let’s make your dream trip to Okayama come true! This friendly, peaceful, and beautiful city will always welcome you.
Okayama Muslim Tourism (OMT) is an organization run by Okayama City, Kibichuo Town, and Maniwa City. Through OMT, you can find information about various tourist destinations, muslim-friendly restaurants, and accommodations that meet the needs of Muslim travelers. OMT also assists in arranging travel plans such as student exchange programs, conventions, and etc.
Okayama City / Kibichuo Town / Maniwa City
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