Okayama is one of those cities that rewards anyone who takes the time to stop. Known as Japan's 'Land of Sunshine' for its immaculate, clear skies, there's plenty to keep you busy: Korakuen, one of Japan's three great landscape gardens; a famously black feudal castle; easy access to the Seto Inland Sea's art islands; and a local cuisine built around sweet white peaches, Muscat grapes and some seriously good scattered sushi. In the middle of it all is the ANA Crowne Plaza, located directly beside JR Okayama Station and linked by an overhead bridge. The 20th-floor dining and lounge give it a useful edge.
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Rooms are cool, calm and quiet, decked out in soothing beige tones with plenty of dark wooden furnishings. They're not especially dazzling, but they are clean, well-organised and comfortable. The beds are wide and properly supportive - and a pillow menu is a great touch for jet-lagged arrivals - whilst bathrooms include deep bathtubs. The Standard rooms are fine, but the Premium rooms offer more breathing room and much better views. Higher floors look out over the station and city lights but the lower, inward-facing rooms are a little less rewarding, so it's worth specifying when you book.
The 20th-floor Sky Bar & Lounge-Sen. Settle in with a cocktail and watch the lights of the city grid below and the distant hills fade to dusk.
The breakfast buffet is built around 10 signature local dishes and the live-made omelette with Okayama eggs and the Muscat fruit spread make it far better than standard hotel fare.
Some of the standard rooms are quite compact and feel a little dated in their fittings. It's worth upgrading to a Premium room if you'd like a more comfortable night.
ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama by IHG can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Japan trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Japan trips featuring ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama by IHG or get advice and suggestions from one of our Japan specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at ANA Crowne Plaza Okayama by IHG start from around $120, or US$120, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Castles, canals & sushi with a fascinating backstory, all found in the sunniest place in Japan.
