Summary
This time we visited Kasaoka and Kitagishima for one night and two days. Here is the plan for the first day.
Take a sightseeing train with a very nice design from Okayama Station and get off at Kasaoka Station, where the train stops for a limited time only.
After filling our stomachs with popular local delicacy “Kasaoka Ramen,” we headed to the port and took a ferry to Kitakishima!
As some of you may know, Kitagishima is famous as “Stone Island,” the birthplace of comedian Chidori’s Daigo.
Please refer to this ✨
*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.
Travel Itinerary
10:00am Okayama Station（岡山駅）
This trip will start from Okayama Station! Looking forward to it!
La malle Shimanami
Take the “La Malle Shimanami” to Kasaoka Station!
They stop at Kasaoka Station only from July to September!
place for storing bicycles
There is also space for bicycles inside the car!
It’s a must for cyclists.
store
There is also a store in the car.
There were boxed lunches and local delicacies for sale!
nector
White peach nectar purchased at a concession stand.
It was rich and delicious!
View from the car window
The scenery from the car window was peaceful and relaxing✨
Spot Outline
Okayama Station is a station of West Japan Railway Company (JR West) located in Kita-ku, Okayama City. It takes only 50 minutes from Osaka by Shinkansen bullet train and less than one hour from Kyoto. You can also take a sightseeing train, SAKUBI-SAKURA, to Tsuyama Station.
11:06am Kasaoka Station（笠岡駅）
I would like to get off at Kasaoka station and go sightseeing!
Please note that “La Malle Shimanami” stops at Kasaoka Station only from July to September.
Spot Outline
Kasaoka Station, located in Kasaoka City, is a station on the West Japan Railway (JR West) Sanyo Main Line. It is a popular starting point for trips and can be reached on foot when heading to Kasaoka Port. There are many restaurants and souvenir shops in the area, making it a convenient place for tourists.
11:30am Chinese Soba noodles Idehara（中華そば いではら）
Lunch at a popular Chinese noodle restaurant with a long line.
On this particular day, we arrived 15 minutes early and there were already about 20 people in line…
The menu is simple is best! Thank goodness I don’t have to wonder!
Chinese soba noodles (600 yen)
The thick soy sauce broth, thin and crispy noodles, chewy oyadori, thickly sliced green onions, and bamboo shoots are all delicious on their own, of course, but even more so when eaten together to spread the various flavors ✨
Spot Outline
Chinese Soba noodles Idehara, located in Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, is a ramen restaurant where Kasaoka ramen is served. It is only a 5-minute walk from Kasaoka Station for convenient access. The most distinctive feature of Kasaoka ramen is the chicken meat called kashiwa chashu on top of the chicken broth soy sauce flavored ramen. This “Idehara” is also known as a representative of such Kasaoka Ramen.
1:00pm Fushigoe Port（伏越港）
From here I’ll take the ferry to Teshima Port.
guide plate
Today I’m going from Fushigoe Port to Kitagishima!
Ferry to board
The ferry we boarded this time.
It was bigger than I had imagined!
timetable
There are not many flights, so be sure to check the timetable carefully.
On board the ferry
The waiting room on the ferry was spacious and very relaxing!
captain’s cabin
The captain was very friendly and even gave us a special look at the captain’s quarters ✨
View from the boat
The day was truly blessed with beautiful weather and great views!
Spot Outline
Fushigoe Port, located in Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, is used as a ferry port. From this port, you can take a ferry to Teshima Port.
2:00pm Toyoura Port（豊浦港）
Arrival at Kitagishima! There was a very prominent sign, so I took a picture.
Glad to feel welcome!
Spot Outline
Toyoura Port, located in Kitagishima-cho, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, is used as a boat terminal. It is also known as an access point to Kitakishima and can be reached by ferry to Kasaoka.
2:30pm K’s LABO
A cafe and stone museum located just outside Toyoura Port.
There are cute murals on the walls, penguins? s, dinosaurs, and female objects ✨
Ticket machine
Ticket vending machines are used to purchase admission tickets to the Stone Museum and the café menu!
Shaved ice and calpis (lactic acid bacteria drink)
We got shaved ice and Calpis and took a short break.
There are eating and drinking areas on the first and second floors.
View from inside the store
The restaurant has a view of the ocean and is a great place to take a break and relax!
Spot Outline
K’s LABO is a complex facility located in Kitagishima-cho, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture. It includes a stone museum that introduces the history, culture, and charm of stones, a museum store, a café, and rental bicycles that can be easily experienced.
3:30pm K’s LABO STONE MUSEUM
Visit the museum to learn about the history of quarrying and processing on Kitagijima ✨
display items
You can see the quarry. It must have been really hard to transport and process the big, hard stones…
Quarry Tools
There are many types of tools for processing stone ✨
Stone Sales
There were processed stones for sale, too!
Here is a marble dog. Cute!
View from the 2nd floor terrace
From the terrace on the second floor, I could see the ocean, but I also saw a cool dinosaur sculpture.
Spot Outline
K’s LABO STONE MUSEUM, located in Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, is a museum where visitors can learn about the history of quarrying and processing methods on Kitagishima. With exhibits and information on the abundant stone materials of Kitagishima, this is a recommended spot for those interested in quarrying.
5:00pm Amanoya Ryokan（天野屋旅館）
We will be staying at a three-story old-fashioned ryokan.
As soon as I arrived, the director greeted me with a warm smile!
room
Rooms are Japanese-style rooms with an old-fashioned retro atmosphere✨
Japanese tea-cake
When we arrived at our room, tea and sweets were prepared for us!
This thoughtfulness makes me happy!
washroom
The washroom has a nice retro tile feel again ✨
Here’s where you can wash your hands after using the bathroom
Interesting!
toilet
The bathroom door had a retro feel to it, but the inside was properly clean✨
The director of the museum told us that the doors are intentionally left in their retro style!
dinner
Dinner was barbecued on the beach! Location too good to be true.
Fresh ingredients
Great atmosphere, and we’re starting the barbecue with these fresh ingredients✨
finish baking
The barbecue was very tasty, even the meat and fresh seafood! The best!
bathroom
The bathroom is also retro! The tiles have a lovely feel✨
It will be a relaxing soak and relieve fatigue.
Spot Outline
Amanoya Ryokan is a long-established ryokan located in Kitagishima-cho, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture. This ryokan is a three-story building with a nostalgic atmosphere, and the manager welcomes guests with a warm smile. Guests can rest and relax.
Read More
Watch the video
See article on Day 2
