A Sweet Japanese Girls’ Getaway: Admire the Scenery in Kurashiki and Rejuvenate at Hot Springs for a Beauty Boost

Text provided by Qidou Travel Network; Photos by Xiangsheng Travel

Okayama Prefecture is located at the heart of the Chūgoku region in Japan, which also happens to be the central point of the entire country. To the north, you can explore the lesser-known San’in and San’yō regions, while heading south takes you to the currently trending Shikoku area. To its left lie Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe—the most culturally rich hubs in Japan—while to its right are Hiroshima and Kyushu, both strongholds of culture and world heritage sites. With such an ideal location, it serves as the perfect gateway for those who wish to delve deeper into Japan.

A girls’ getaway should be in Japan, in our opinion. Join your besties Y and Monkey Girl on this trip to relax, enjoy local delicacies, shop, and take tons of photos. You’ll also get to immerse yourselves in Japanese culture and architecture.

In Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter in Okayama Prefecture, white-walled streets abound, exuding an Edo-period atmosphere. Especially enchanting are the long, swaying willow trees along the Kurashiki River, which are particularly lush and green in summer. Gently dancing in the breeze, they create a picturesque scene that captures the essence of the season.

When exploring this area, once directly governed by the Tokugawa shogunate, take your time. Stroll beneath artistic paper umbrellas, don a kimono, and wander among Western-style buildings; or take a boat ride to view the traditional merchant houses from a unique perspective—history will naturally envelop you. At night, the renowned light show by lighting designer Kazuko Ishii transforms the old buildings and bridges into a dazzling spectacle of light and shadow, offering a rich visual treat for the summer evening.

Tired of Taiwan’s farms? The famous Kisarazu Bay Farm Garden in western Japan will offer you a different kind of experience. Highly recommended by netizens, Kisarazu Bay Farm Garden was created on reclaimed land, and its seasonal flowers blanket the land in vibrant colors that are truly breathtaking. Photography enthusiasts, make sure to bring your selfie gear. In May, there are 10 million poppies; from June to August, 1 million sunflowers; and in October, 30 million cosmos flowers. No need to go all the way to Hokkaido—this place offers the perfect backdrop for photos. Or, use a 360-degree app on your phone to capture panoramic shots and share the flower fields and blue skies on Facebook to flood your feed with joy from your Japanese adventure.

Exploring sights and scenery during the day and soaking in hot springs at night makes for an ideal itinerary. And for girl groups, the ultimate hot spring destination is Tamatsukuri Onsen. Legend has it that Tamatsukuri Onsen has been around since around the 8th century, making it an ancient hot spring passed down from the age of the gods, known as the “divine hot spring.” The name “Tamatsukuri” originates from the discovery of agate here. According to the Izumo Fudoki (Chronicles of Izumo), soaking in this hot spring once beautifies your face, and a second soak cures all illnesses. There are also stone arrangements in the riverbed, making it a great spot for friends to soak their feet and chat. The area also features a cute legend about a white rabbit and mysterious energy believed to bring good connections. A trip to Japan wouldn’t feel complete without experiencing a hot spring soak.

Next, head to the Adachi Museum of Art, a three-star Michelin sightseeing spot and a Japanese garden that has been ranked No. 1 by the American journal “The Journal of Japanese Gardening” for 14 consecutive years—a must-visit for any aesthetic education on your Japan trip. The museum houses many works of modern Japanese art, including paintings by masters like Yokoyama Taikan. But the highlight is the 13,000-tsubo (approximately 43,000 square meters) Japanese garden, a must-see. Each window frame presents a different painting across the four seasons. During the autumn maple season, we highly recommend sitting down with a rich cup of coffee or a stunning cup of matcha—it’s pure bliss.

Adachi Museum of Art Official Website
https://www.adachi-museum.or.jp/archives/exhibition/autumn2017

More Related Information
San’in & San’yō | Okayama, Tottori, Shimane, Yamaguchi, Hiroshima >>> https://goo.gl/CsKNC3
▲ [Tiger Peach] San’in & San’yō ~ Detective Conan & Kitaro, Owl Family 5-Day Tourhttps://goo.gl/Jf91Tj
[Tiger Peach] San’in & San’yō ~ Izumo Legends & Hot Springs & Food 5-Day Tourhttps://goo.gl/o1RwHx
★ Limited Offer: Tigerair Taiwan & Tiger Peach Group Tours – First 10 Registrants Get NT$2,000 Off Group Fees
▲ Okayama Super-Value Group Free & Easy 5-Day Tour – Starting from NT$9,999　https://goo.gl/b9rp4G

Welcome to call for the latest travel information and promotions.
Xiangsheng Travel Agency (02)2507-4688
Websitehttp://www.1travel.com.tw