Hofu Tenmangu Mitokuji temple Izumo Taisha Omori Silver mine Xavier memorial church peace memorialpark miyajima sanctuary_outline Shukkeien Adachi garden Ikouji Rurikouji temple Amida-ji Sourin-ji Kourakuen Japanese trad.Garden_outline Matsue Yonago Shimonoseki Okayama Hiroshima HAB CITY_outline TSUYAMA TSUWANO MATSUE CHOFU IWAKUNI HAGI SAMURAI towns_outline ONOMICHI YANAI TAKEHARA KURASHIKI TOMO SHIMOKAMAGARI Xavier Cathedral SHIMONOSEKI Washi Touken Bizen Pottery Hagi Pottery & Kilns Japanese trad.artcrafts Experience-outline GEGEGENO Kitaro Matsuda museum Naval Base of Kure MAZDA,Hofu plant Modern Japan-outline Kirin beer Park in Okayama Tottori sand dune Mt.Fuji of Sanin DAISEN SHINJI Lake Iwami coast Oki Hagi coast Nagato SANIN COAST-outline SHUHODO Trail to Hikimi Hiruzen Highland Kibi Highland Tsuyama Travel with Stream locomotive Deep Inland Tour-outline SETO-OHASHI Seto-inland seas OANORAMA view Tiboli Park Tokiwa Park Inland-sea-outline List of Japanese terms Bathing in Japan 7seafood of the Lake Shinji Blow fish Stone fish Show Crab Oysters Buchwheat Noodles Peach and Other fruits Okonomiyaki
 
  Amazing grace made from 300ft. kiln  
     
 
If you go to Okayama you should also take the time to travel a few stops up the Ako train line to Imbe Station (about 35 minutes away from Okayama station) and see the town of Bizen, home of the famous Bizen pottery.(http://www.city.bizen.okayama.jp/shiyakusho/
kankou/bizen/index_e.html) 		 
     
   
 
Bizen has had more Living National Treasures (people who are awarded this highest government honor) than any other pottery style. No less than five Bizen potters have achieved this honor, and the current one, Jun Isezaki, was just chosen in July of 2004. All of these amazing artists' work is on display in various places throughout the town.
If you want to learn about Japanese aesthetics, there is no better way to start than with Bizen pottery. Hard-to-grasp terms such as wabi, sabi and shibui suddenly become very clear when holding a piece of the pottery in one's hands. One good place to go to see a wide selection of Bizen works is the station building itself, which has a large gallery on the second floor. Another is the Bizen Ceramic Museum (closed on Mondays) where admission is just \500.		  
     
  You can also try your hand at making some pottery yourself if you like. And Bizen is home to what will be the world's largest single-tunnel pottery kiln. This anagama, when completed, will run a staggering 90 meters.

Maps in English are available at the station, but finding good places to buy pottery won't be a problem. In front of the station, just across Route 2, is a plethora of shops stocking every sort of Bizen ceramic ware imaginable. If you're short on time, a quick stop in Bizen will enable you to pick up a beautiful and lasting souvenir of your stay in Japan.		  
     
 
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