Okayama Prefecture is located in the Chugoku region and the Sanyo area of Honshu, Japan. Known for its warm climate and frequent sunny days, it is affectionately called "Hare no Kuni Okayama" (The Sunny Land of Okayama). The prefectural capital is Okayama City, which functions as a government ordinance-designated city and serves as one of the most prominent urban centers in the Chugoku-Shikoku region. Together with neighboring Kurashiki City, it forms a metropolitan area that surpasses even the Hiroshima metropolitan area in scale.
A Key Hub of Geography and Transportation
Okayama is bordered by Hyogo Prefecture to the east, Hiroshima Prefecture to the west, Tottori Prefecture to the north, and faces Kagawa Prefecture across the Seto Inland Sea to the south. Major transportation arteries of western Japan such as the Sanyo Shinkansen, Sanyo Expressway, and Chugoku Expressway run through the prefecture. The opening of the Seto Ohashi Bridge has further strengthened economic and cultural ties with Kagawa.
Three first-class rivers—Takahashi River, Asahi River, and Yoshii River—run from north to south across the prefecture, supplying abundant water resources that support agriculture and industry.
Industry and Economy
Okayama has a rich history dating back to its time as the ancient Kibi Province and continues to maintain a well-balanced development in agriculture, industry, and renewable energy.
Agriculture
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The warm and relatively dry climate along the Seto Inland Sea, combined with land reclamation efforts dating back to the Edo period, makes Okayama ideal for agriculture.
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The prefecture boasts one of the highest production volumes in Japan of white peaches, Muscat of Alexandria, and Pione grapes, earning it the nickname “Fruit Kingdom.”
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In the Hiruzen Plateau area, Jersey cattle are raised, and dairy production is thriving.
Industry
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The Mizushima Industrial Zone in Kurashiki City is one of Japan’s largest heavy chemical industrial areas, centered around steel and petrochemicals.
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In particular, JFE Steel’s Kurashiki-Fukuyama works is a globally significant steel production hub.
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Kasaoka and Mizushima ports are among the leading international trade ports in the Chugoku-Shikoku region, supporting global expansion of the manufacturing industry.
Renewable Energy
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Cities like Setouchi and Maniwa are actively promoting renewable energy projects using solar power and woody biomass, with environmentally conscious initiatives well underway.
Climate Characteristics
While the climate varies across regions, Okayama Prefecture generally exhibits the following characteristics:
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Southern Area (Seto Inland Sea Coast): Characterized by a typical Seto Inland Sea climate—mild temperatures, low rainfall, and many sunny days. It has some of the lowest annual precipitation in Japan, and snow is rare even in winter.
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Northern Area (along the Chugoku Mountains): More similar to the Sea of Japan climate and designated as a heavy snowfall area. In Hiruzen Plateau, snow accumulation can exceed one meter, and winters are quite cold.
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Central Area (such as Kibi Plateau): Exhibits intermediate characteristics—relatively cool with somewhat higher rainfall and cold winters.
Okayama City enjoys more than 2,100 hours of sunshine annually, and the number of days with more than 1mm of rainfall is among the lowest in Japan—key factors that support its "Sunny Land" nickname.
History and Culture
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In ancient times, Okayama flourished as the Kibi Kingdom and is rich in burial mounds, legends, and mythology.
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During the Edo period, the Okayama Domain (ruled by the Ikeda clan) prospered culturally and educationally, leaving historical legacies like Korakuen Garden and Shizutani School.
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With numerous historical and scenic destinations such as the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and islands in the Seto Inland Sea, Okayama is also recognized for its cultural richness.
A Balanced and Livable Region
Okayama Prefecture is a well-balanced region blessed with a warm climate, abundant natural resources, excellent transportation access, and a strong industrial base. Its diverse strengths in agriculture, industry, tourism, and energy make it an appealing area that combines "livability" with "growth potential."