Okayama

The city of Okayama claims to have the most sunny days in Japan. A beautiful black castle is set amid a spacious and luxuriant garden, justly rated among Japan's top three. Hop on one of the frequent streetcars plying Momotaro-dori, the main boulevard heading east from the Shinkansen station (¥100); ride three stops east; and walk southeast to the castle, park, and museums. For ¥520 you can buy a combined park-castle ticket.

The Shinkansen station makes Okayama an attractive base for visiting the quaint charms of Kurashiki—only a 15-minute local JR train hop to the west. The city also serves as a gateway to the remote and beautiful realm of Matsue, 2 hours, ¥5,670 by JR train to the northwest.