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Okayama is just 75 minutes from Tokyo by plane and less than an hour from Osaka on the Shinkansen bullet train. A hub of western Japan’s Chugoku Region, the city of Okayama has a population of 630,000. It spreads out over a broad plain between a range of gently sloping mountains to the north and the Seto Inland Sea to the south. Not only is the city blessed with exceptional geography, it is also a stop on the Shinkansen, which traverses Japan stopping only at key cities. Moreover, eight other train lines climb mountains and cross the sea to connect Okayama to other nearby cities. Business people in suits are a constant presence on the city’s streets.
The main street stretching south from Okayama Station, where these train lines converge, is called Momotaro-dori, named after a well-known fairy tale character called “Peach Boy”. Amid the bustle of traffic, a colorful red and light-blue street car glides along at its own pace. The street car is a key mode of transportation for students, business people and shoppers alike and adds something to the character of the city.
Momotaro is among the most famous characters in Japanese folklore. In the story, long ago, an impassioned young man teams up with animals—a dog, a pheasant and a monkey—to defeat a demon that had been plaguing the people. The story originated in Okayama, so many places and street names around town are connected to the story and the town is replete with statues of the animals that appear in the story. This illustrates how modern Okayama keeps alive links to its rich history and traditions. |
