Ujo｜From White to Black: Driving from Himeji to Find a Jet-Black Castle in Okayama

By Nihongo to Japan · Updated June 17, 2026

After Himeji Castle, I drove to Okayama and found a castle that's the complete opposite. Himeji is pure white, Okayama is jet black. Seeing both in one day makes the contrast feel almost unreal.

【Driving from Himeji to Okayama】

After Himeji Castle, heading west by car brings you to Okayama City — close enough to combine in a single day without feeling rushed.

Okayama has Korakuen, one of Japan's three great gardens, and right beside it stands Okayama Castle, also known as Ujo (Crow Castle). I'd planned just a brief stop, but standing in the courtyard for the first time, my only thought was: that is very black.

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【White and Black: Two Castles in One Day】

Himeji Castle is called Shirasagi-jo (Egret Castle) for its almost luminously white walls. Okayama Castle is called Ujo — 烏 meaning crow — for its jet-black exterior. Seeing the white one first, then the black one, the contrast is strong enough to feel slightly unreal.

Both castles come from roughly the same period in Japanese history, yet they couldn't look more different.

Okayama Castle was originally built in 1597, destroyed in WWII air raids, and the current keep is a 1966 reinforced-concrete reconstruction — not the original wooden structure. Even so, the black lacquered exterior preserves the original visual character, and standing in the open courtyard looking up, the sense of weight is still very much there.

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【Things to Know Before You Go】

Okayama Castle sits directly next to Korakuen. From JR Okayama Station, take the tram to Shiroshita Station and walk about 10 minutes. Admission is ¥320 for adults; hours are 09:00–17:30 (last entry 17:00).

Korakuen is a 5-minute walk — the two can comfortably be done together in half a day. From Himeji by JR San'yo Line it's about 50 minutes; by car it's faster, with parking nearby.

For Okayama tours and transport:

https://klook.tpx.lv/IuSKdjjt

https://kkday.tpx.lv/juFfN7dI

【Worth It?】

If you've already done Himeji Castle the same day, Okayama Castle alone isn't going to be a revelation — but the white-to-black contrast experience, combined with Korakuen next door, makes Okayama worth building a proper stop around.

The castle is at its best from outside. The black keep against clear blue sky photographs extremely well. Even spending just twenty minutes in the courtyard, the stop pays off.