Okayama City is located in the southeastern part of Okayama Prefecture and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the prefecture. It is also one of Japan's government-designated cities. As the prefectural capital, Okayama has the second-largest population in the Chugoku-Shikoku region after Hiroshima City, while its urban employment zone is the largest in the area.
The city is nationally renowned for the legend of Momotaro (the Peach Boy), and is famous for local cultural events such as Kibidango (millet dumplings) and the Saidaiji Eyo (commonly known as the "Naked Festival"). Its warm Seto Inland Sea climate also makes Okayama a premier fruit-producing region in Japan, known for high-end fruits like Muscat of Alexandria, Shine Muscat, Hakuto white peaches, Momotaro grapes, Atago pears, and Ya pears.
The city's central area blends historical and natural attractions, such as Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Okayama Castle once served as the stronghold of the Ikeda clan during the Edo period. As the castle town developed, Okayama gradually became the regional hub. Today, the city center is lined with tall buildings, while the suburbs still retain the natural charm of farmland and hilly terrain.
Okayama has long been a center of learning and education. Since the Meiji period, it has been home to many institutions of higher education, including the former Sixth High School (now part of Okayama University), Okayama Medical College, and Okayama Agricultural College, earning it a reputation as a “city of learning.”
Since the 1980s, the city has rapidly developed into a transportation hub for the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, thanks to the opening of the Seto Ohashi Bridge, the Sanyo Expressway, and improvements to the JR railway network. Okayama Station plays a major role as a transit center, served by the Sanyo Shinkansen and various limited express trains connecting to the San'in and Shikoku regions.
In terms of urban development, Okayama’s population has steadily grown since World War II. After merging with four surrounding towns in 2005, its population surpassed 700,000. In 2009, it was promoted to a government-designated city and now consists of four administrative wards: Kita Ward, Naka Ward, Higashi Ward, and Minami Ward. Kita Ward serves as the city center, housing Okayama Station, Omotecho shopping arcade, the prefectural office, and the city hall.
