Enjoy Japanese Hospitality by Following the Unique “Peach Mark” in Okayama, a Muslim-friendly Area | JAPAN Welcome Guide for Muslim Visitors / English

Enjoy Japanese Hospitality by Following the Unique “Peach Mark” in Okayama, a Muslim-friendly Area

Okayama city in Okayama prefecture has excellent access from The Golden Route, as it is only about 45 minutes from Osaka by Shinkansen (Bullet Train). With its warm and comfortable climate and sunny days, along with its abundant nature and delicious food, Okayama is known as “The Country of Sunny Days” (“Hare no hi” in Japanese). It is surely a best area for you to enjoy the best of the Japanese seasons and gourmet dishes.

And another thing… Okayama is the place which is famous for an old tale, called Momotaro (“peach boy” in Japanese). Ask anyone who grew up in Japan, and they can tell you about it.

Okayama, the spot strongly connected with the old tale “Momotaro, a boy born from peach”, has a unique system catering to Muslim tourists. A certification mark, known as the “Peach Mark” is awarded to facilities which are Muslim-friendly. The “Peach Mark” was created for Muslim tourists to enjoy Okayama with complete peace-of-mind, marking certified facilities and products which have satisfied specific requirements for Muslims (such as availability of English menus or dishes/products without pork or not containing any alcohol). This mark is used in restaurants, hotels, and shops in Okayama city, Kibichuo town, and Maniwa city.

You can also refer to their Muslim Friendly Travel 2022, a local guidebook especially for Muslim tourists to learn more about the Peach Mark. Please check the following website, in which English and Indonesian versions are available.
Okayama is filled with warm Japanese hospitality, a concept dubbed “omotenashi”. It is surely a must for your travel plans in Japan. Read on to see what it has to offer!

Muslim Friendly Travel 2022

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A Beautiful Seasonal View in Okayama Korakuen, One of the Three Great Gardens in Japan

Here are some attractions and recommended spots in the Okayama area. In the central area of Okayama city, there is the Okayama Korakuen, one of the Three Great Gardens in Japan. The other two gardens are Kenrokuen in Kanazawa city, Ishikawa prefecture and Kairakuen in Mito city, Ibaraki prefecture. Korakuen is next to Okayama Castle, which was once the residence of the feudal lord of Okayama, so paying a visit means you can get to enjoy both attractions at the same time.

Okayama Korakuen is a circuit-style garden, where a wide lawn area, pond, tsukiyama (small hill), and tea room are connected via a garden path and waterway. Simply following the route grants visitors views of an almost ever-changing scenery. In the garden, you can enjoy beautiful trees and flowers specific to each season. In spring, cherry, azalea, and tree peony bloom in pink hues. While peony, Satsuki azalea, iris, and lotus flowers herald the coming of summer. Autumn is the season of colored leaves, and here we can see fiery maple and golden ginkgo. Even in winter, you take in the bright colors of camelia and narcissus, and feel early spring coming upon seeing the swelling buds of plum. Adding to this spectacle, you can also enjoy the gorgeous view of Okayama castle from the garden. This garden was certified as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1952, and is known as a place of tranquility, welcoming many visitors inside and outside of Okayama as well as from overseas.

Okayama Korakuen
Address: 1-5, Korakuen, Kita-ku, Okayama-City, Okayama
Access (by city bus): JR Okayama Station ―Kourakuenguchi West exit ― approx. 10 min walk
Access (by tram): JR Okayama Station (Bound for Higashiyama) ― Shiroshita Station ― approx. 4 min walk

Okayama, a Muslim-friendly Gourmet Paradise

When you are hungry, take a look at the guidebook mentioned earlier. With its pleasant climate and geographical advantage facing the Seto inland sea, Okayama boasts excellent meats, seafood, and fruits. In Okayama, you will have no trouble finding a Muslim-friendly restaurant from the wide variety of choices available.

For some good ramen, “Okinoshima Ramen” in front of the Okayama station is a must to visit. Using flying fish for their dashi (soup stock), this ramen is totally Muslim-friendly, free from soy source or any ingredients of caution to Muslims. The mild taste of the mineral rich seaweed salt (moshio) perfectly complements the already-delicious fresh seafood.

“Hitorinabe Megu” offers a special shabushabu dish for Muslim guests. Shabushabu is a Japanese hotpot dish, usually consisting of thinly sliced meal and vegetable cooked in flavorful broth. Each visitor is served the shabushabu in individual cooking pot sets, so you need not worry about having to share with other guests. Upon request of the Muslim-friendly menu, your meal will be prepared with only permissible food ingredients and seasonings. In addition to that, the utensils, dishes, and even the cooking pot you are served with will come from a separate stash, designated only for their Muslims customers.

Okinoshima Ramen
Okinoshima Ramen
Address: 2-23, Honmachi, Kita-ku, Okayama-City, Okayama
Access: 3-min walk from JR Okayama Station

Hitorinabe Megu
Address: 1F Tenjin building, 201, Tenjincho, Kita-ku, Okayama-City, Okayama
Access: 10-min walk from JR Okayama Station, 3-min walk from Okayama Electric Tramway Higashiyama Line Yanagawa Station

Safe and Cozy Lodging, with Muslim-friendly Measures

In Okayama, hotels and lodgings also strive to be Muslim-friendly. Hotel Granvia Okayama offers a prayer mat and Qibla compass in a prayer room just above their main lobby, also open to non-hotel guests. They are also able to serve a Muslim-friendly menu in-house, provided given three days booking notice.

At their breakfast buffet, it is clearly described when pork or alcohol is used in the preparation of a certain dish, allowing Muslim guests to easily recognize and avoid as needed.

Hotel Granvia Okayama
Hotel Granvia Okayama
Address: 1-5 Ekimoto-machi, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama
Access: 3-min walk from JR Okayama Station

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, a Quaint Cityscape Imbued with History and Art

If you want to experience Japanese historical scenery, you can visit the Kurashiki city area, which is 30 minutes from Okayama city by train. Stepping into the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter bathes you in a classic old-town Japan vibes: passing through daimyo’s city storehouse (called Kurayashiki) with its white walls, traditional Japanese wall patterns (Namako walls), and a road lined with willow trees.

It is as simple as just taking a stroll here to already fully enjoy the beautiful scenery. In old times, the Kurashiki river running through the Historical Quarter was crowded with many riverboats loaded with cargo. Now tourists have the option to ride the riverboat, a chance to relax and take in riverside scenery from a different perspective as traditionally dressed boatmen steer the calm waters. Tickets for a trip on this sightseeing boat are available from the Kurashikikan Tourist Information Center.

The area also has long been a place for flourishing textile industries. It is still famous for high quality textile products, such as Kurashiki canvas or Kurashiki denim. Sophisticated shops and stylish cafés are also highlights of this area, which are sure to add even more to your visit.

Thanks to the unique “Peach Mark” system and the many facilities that abide by it, Okayama is surely one of the most Muslim-friendly places to visit in Japan. There is never a dull moment too, as there is so much more to see other than those recommended here. Some examples are fruit picking, especially peaches, (the specialty of Okayama and hence the origin of the Peach Mark idea), and of course Okayama’s hot springs!

So, how do you find some of Okayama’s top attractions? Next time you are nearby, consider zipping off for a day or two to this charming sunny prefecture.

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