04 Feb Okayama Muslim Friendly Trip with Syaza Yusof and Saffa Yusof
Let’s explore Okayama together with Malaysian influencer Syaza Yusof (@syazaayusof) and Saffa Yusof (@fayusof) on their 3D2N trip!
It might seem like a short trip, but you can still get the best of Okayama beauty and culture. In this interesting trip, Syaza and Saffa introduce us to some Muslim friendly places that everyone can go without worry.
On the first day of their 3-day trip, Syaza and Saffa arrived at KIX and then went to Okayama riding the famous and iconic Hello Kitty Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Okayama station in the morning. 
After arriving at Okayama in the afternoon around 1 p.m., they warm their body by eating a bowl of hearty halal ramen at Okinoshima Ramen. This restaurant serves a mild and rich soup base that uses mineral-rich sea salt and clam broth which are produced locally in Okinoshima.
After warming up their bodies and filling themselves with stamina, the next fun and exciting activity was a visit to the Manekineko Art Museum Manekineko Art Museum. This is no ordinary museum filled with more than 700 cat figures that were made of paper, wood, ceramics, pottery, stones, but you can also do activities with your friends or partner too here!
Manekineko Art Museum offers painting activity if you are looking to spend your day in a different way and to explore that artistic side of yours! The end result of your painted maneki neko can be brought home as a souvenir and memory to keep forever. Not only make your own figure, but you can also buy the cat figures there as well for your loved ones or just for another souvenir to bring home.
To end their first day, Syaza dan Saffa spent their first night at Micchan’s Farmstay. You do not need to worry about anything living in this farmstay, because all meals and bedding are provided and you can also learn more about Japan’s local culture and foods together with the host.
At dinner, Micchan helps Syaza and Saffa by making Japanese mochi from scratch and delicious colorful filling sushi.
On the second day of the trip, the morning was still spent at Micchan’s farmstay, where the sisters were served another warm meal and a Japanese staple breakfast before heading off to their next stop in Okayama.
To start their day, after saying goodbye to Micchan, they went to Katsuyama town to stroll around and enjoy the nostalgic town of the district. They went to Mount Taratara Hakuryu waterfall which also has a magnificent cave.
After a long day of strolling Katsuyama town, they decided to take a break for a while at Capybara Coffee. Through this cafe, visitors can still enjoy the beauty of Katsuyama town while sipping a cup of coffee.
Still in Maniwa City, the Yusof sisters depart to their next destination Maniwa Agri Garden where you can find 2 restaurants and shop some of the local crafts and produce, and even a little enclosure with rabbits and capybara!
Before ending the day, it is not a trip without shopping time and another stroll to Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter that has been awarded 2 stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. In this area, visitors are able to learn more about Japanese culture as well as the architecture.
Still in the same area of Kurashiki, the two sisters end their day with a shopping spree at Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki. This outlet park is foreigner friendly, because not only you can use credit cards, but the place is also filled with free wifi. In addition to that, you can also get tax free with a minimum purchase of ¥5,000.
On the second night, the sisters stayed at Hotel Granvia Okayama. This hotel is recognized as one of Muslim Friendly hotels at Okayama for having all the amenities, foods, and services that are able to fulfill Muslim guests’ needs. For more information about this hotel, please click HERE.
It doesn’t feel like you’ve truly been to Okayama if you haven’t visited one of Japan’s top three traditional gardens, which have been awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan tourism guidebook, Okayama Korakuen Garden. So, to start their last day in Okayama, both sisters went there as well as Okayama Castle.
At the garden, not only are we able to take pictures and stroll around, but we can also find small stalls that sell some Japanese snacks. Moreover, we can enjoy refreshing fruit parfait to refresh ourselves.
Did you know that in Korakuen Garden and inside the Castle, not only can we stroll around and enjoy the view, but we can also do other fun activities such as experiencing wearing a kimono as well as having pottery class? And that’s what the Yusof sisters did in the area to spend their time to the fullest here.
Do not need to worry if you are a beginner in the pottery world, because there will be a guide to help you make the products that you want from scratch to your desirable product. Isn’t it another fun activity to spend together while also having the end product as another souvenir and memory to keep on about Okayama?
After a long day of strolling around, the next stop is to fill their tummy with another hearty meal in Hitori Nabe Megu. This restaurant is a specialized hot-pot restaurant for Shabu-shabu and Sukiyaki. The meat used in this restaurant is also a Halal Australian beef that paired perfectly with the warm soup of the sukiyaki.
After filling their stamina and tummy with this warm sukiyaki, their next stop is Mt. Ojigatake which is located at Seto Island where you can see a breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea.
Other than hiking this iconic mountain with a mesmerizing view, visitors are able to find a coffee shop to take a rest for a while as well as try tons of fun activities such as paragliding over the coastal scenery. This place is 100% worth it for you hiking lovers or even when you just want to take a break and enjoy the view of Seto Island.
Mt. Ojigatake marks the end of Yusof’s sisters’ 3 days and 2 nights trip in Okayama. What do you think about this trip? What is still holding you back from visiting Okayama?
There are still tons of other places that you can enjoy while you are in Okayama. Make sure to come to Okayama and enjoy the beauty of every place that this city holds. Okayama will always be waiting for you! 😊
Okayama Muslim Tourism (OMT) is an organization that provides Muslim Friendly tourism, which is run by Okayama City, Kibichuo Town and Maniwa City. 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 / Kibichuo Town / Maniwa City
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