From August 1 to 23, 2026, Okayama Castle stays open after sunset for Ujo Tougenkyo, a summer lighting event. A soft, cool light wraps the black keep – called "U-jo," meaning "Crow Castle," for its dark exterior – each evening from 18:00 to 21:30.
ON THE GROUNDS
The lights pick out the keep and its surroundings in a soft, low glow. The keep itself stays open for entry until 21:00. Across the Asahi River, Okayama Korakuen Garden runs its own night opening, Genso-teien, on the same dates – creating a distinctly Japanese atmosphere you can experience only at this time of year.
HOW TO ATTEND
Walking the lit grounds is free; entry to the keep is 500 yen for adults and free for junior-high students and younger. No reservation needed.
- Dates: August 1-23, 2026
- Time: 18:00-21:30 (keep entry until 21:00)
- Venue: Okayama Castle, 2-3-1 Marunouchi, Kita-ku, Okayama
- Admission: Grounds free; keep 500 yen adults, free for junior-high students and younger
- Enquiries: Okayama Castle +81 86-225-2096
- Access: About 25 min on foot from JR Okayama Station; or tram to "Shiroshita," then about 10 min on foot
- Official Info: okayama-castle.jp
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Okayama Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle face each other across the Asahi River, an easy pair in a single visit. Okayama is a stop on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Osaka and Hiroshima, which makes it a simple add-on to a wider western Japan route.
Source: Okayama Castle | okayama-castle.jp #WestGoldenRoute #Okayama #OkayamaCastle #Nukumori