생활 Okayama

Okayama Prefecture, with a population of 1.9 million, is located in the Chugoku region of Honshu. A majority of the population lives in and around the capital, Okayama City, with many rural towns and villages seeing a steady and gradual decline in population as residents age. Okayama City's famous castle, Okayama Castle, was originally built in 1597, but mostly destroyed during WW2 bombings. Okayama City is also home to one of the three “Great Gardens of Japan,” Koraku-en, spanning 133,000 square meters. Okayama Prefecture's most famous traditional dish is bara-zushi, sushi rice spread over a dish with various sushi toppings and vegetables placed on top. The Legend of Momotaro originated in and takes place in Okayama Prefecture as well.