35 Recommended Power Spots in Okayama Prefecture

A guide to 35 powerful spiritual spots in Okayama. Visit Kibitsu Shrine with its famous oracle ritual, the cliffside Taki Shrine, the cleansing waters of Kanba Falls, and the mysterious ancient Kusayama Ruins. A mix of history, nature, and “sacred Japan.”

Okayama is dotted with places where nature and faith come together — perfect if you like “spiritual Japan” beyond the big cities. At Kibitsu Shrine and Kibitsuhiko Shrine, both linked to the Momotaro legend, you can see unique shrine architecture and experience the traditional boiling-oracle ritual. At Saijo Inari (Saijo Inari-san Myokyo-ji), one of Japan’s major Inari temples, the large temple complex and mountain setting create a very solemn atmosphere.

For mountain energy, the Hiruzen range and Mt. Nagi offer fresh ridge walks, while the ancient mountain fortress of Kinojo gives you wide views over the Okayama Plain and a real “ancient Japan” feeling. For water sanctuaries, Kanba Falls (one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls), the autumn colors of Okutsu Gorge, and the limestone caves Maki-do and Ikura-do feel mysterious and photogenic. You can finish the day in Yubara Onsen, soaking in an open-air riverside bath.

Historically, this was the old Kingdom of Kibi, which stood alongside Yamato and Izumo in the Yayoi–Kofun periods, so you still find burial mounds and archeological sites. It’s an excellent area for travelers interested in early Japanese history and mythology.