CreatripTeam

Okayama prefecture is ramping up promotion to Korean travelers, aiming to build a prefecture-wide tourism brand centered on fruit and art. Governor Ryuta Ibaragi says Korean overnight visitors rose from 18,000 in 2022 to 37,000 in 2024 but remain below Japan’s overall recovery level; restoring more direct flights (Incheon–Okayama) would likely double arrivals. Okayama markets itself as a sunny western Japan hub between Osaka and Hiroshima, famous for white peaches (hakuto) and shine muscat grapes, winery and dessert experiences, and contemporary art events such as the Setouchi Triennale and local projects like the “Mimasaka Art-Onsen” (a project that mixes hot springs and art). The prefecture is building integrated tourism coordination through local tourism associations and aims to attract visitors who have already seen big cities like Osaka and Kyoto to discover Okayama’s fruit, art and onsen (hot spring) offerings.