Okayama’s Seto Inland Sea: Kojima Jeans Street, Washuzan & Uno Port

Kojima Jeans Street, Washuzan Hill and Uno Port show you the coastal side of Okayama, where the city gives way to the calm, island-dotted Seto Inland Sea. Kojima, in the south of Kurashiki, is known as the birthplace of Japanese jeans and is a must for denim lovers. Nearby, the lookout on Washuzan Hill offers one of the best views of the Seto Ohashi Bridge and the islands toward Shikoku, and Uno Port in Tamano is where many travelers catch the ferry to the art island of Naoshima. This guide explains what to see at each stop, how to connect them by train and bus from Okayama, what things cost, and where to stay by the sea.

1. Kojima Jeans Street

Kojima has been making jeans since the 1960s and is often called the birthplace of domestic Japanese jeans; its mills and sewing workshops supply some of the most respected denim brands in the world. Kojima Jeans Street is the Ajino shopping street, about 400 meters long, now home to more than 40 jeans shops, cafes and galleries, with pairs of jeans hung on lines above the street. Many shops are run by local brands that sell selvedge denim, indigo-dyed goods and hemming services, and staff are used to helping visitors find the right fit. The street is about a 15-minute walk from JR Kojima Station. To go deeper, visit the Betty Smith Jeans Museum, about 10 minutes by bus from Kojima Station to the Tokiwabashi stop, then a 5-minute walk; entry is free, and you can make your own pair of jeans from 11,000 yen. The museum is open from 9:00 to 18:00 (9:30 to 17:00 from December to February), with a weekday break from 12:00 to 13:00.

2. Washuzan Hill and the Seto Ohashi Bridge

Washuzan is a 133-meter hill at the southern tip of Kojima, and its lookout is one of the classic viewpoints of the Seto Inland Sea. From the top you can see more than 50 islands, the coast of Shikoku on a clear day and the Seto Ohashi Bridge stretching across the water, and its sunset is ranked among the top 100 in Japan. The Seto Ohashi Bridge opened on April 10, 1988 and is actually a chain of 11 bridges and viaducts about 13 km long, with a four-lane expressway on the upper deck and a railway below; the JR Marine Liner uses it to link Okayama and Takamatsu. The viewpoint is free and open 24 hours. From Kojima Station, take a Shimotsui-line bus for about 25 minutes, then walk about 5 minutes; buses run roughly once an hour, so check return times before you go. Combine the hill with a stroll in Shimotsui, an old port town at its foot, or ride the Marine Liner across the bridge for the view from the train.

3. Uno Port, Gateway to the Art Islands

Uno Port in Tamano is the main ferry gateway from Okayama to Naoshima and Teshima, the art islands made famous by the Benesse Art Site and the Setouchi Triennale. Note that these islands belong to Kagawa Prefecture, but most travelers coming from Okayama reach them through Uno. The trip from Okayama to Uno Station takes about an hour on JR, usually with a change at Chayamachi, although some direct trains run; the port is a 5 to 10-minute walk from the station. Ferries to Miyanoura Port on Naoshima take about 15 to 20 minutes. Even if you are not crossing, the port town is worth a short wander: it has a relaxed waterfront and small cafes, and during Setouchi Triennale years you may spot outdoor artworks around the harbor. Arrive early in the day if you plan to visit Naoshima’s museums, which often require advance reservations, and check the ferry timetable for the last boat back to Uno before you set out.

Where to Stay Near Washuzan & Kojima

Where to stay: Washuzan & Kojima

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To enjoy the Seto Inland Sea at sunset and sunrise, stay on the coast near Washuzan or in Kojima. These hotels are best if you have a car or plan a slow day by the sea; for the fastest trains, Okayama Station is about 25 minutes from Kojima.

Luxury

Setouchi Kojima Hotel Kurashiki is a hotel in the Shimotsui area near Washuzan Hill, convenient for the viewpoint, the old port of Shimotsui and the drive to Kojima Jeans Street.

Mid-Range

Washu Blue Resort Kasago sits on the Washuzan coast with sea views, an open-air bath, a garden and a terrace, a relaxing place to watch the sun go down over the islands.

Budget-Friendly

DENIM HOSTEL float is a denim-themed hostel in Kojima with free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms, a fun, affordable pick for jeans fans.

Quick Tips for Visiting

• Some independent shops on Kojima Jeans Street keep irregular hours, so check ahead if you have a specific brand in mind.
• Plan the Washuzan bus around the timetable, since buses from Kojima Station run only about once an hour.
• Time your visit to Washuzan for the late afternoon to watch the sunset over the islands.
• If you are heading to Naoshima, book museum tickets in advance and check the last ferry back to Uno.
• Ride the Marine Liner across the Seto Ohashi Bridge to Takamatsu for a scenic train trip to Shikoku.

Getting there by train: From Okayama, JR Seto-Ohashi Line trains reach Kojima in about 25 minutes, and the Marine Liner to Takamatsu stops at both Chayamachi and Kojima. For Uno Port, take the JR Uno Line, about an hour from Okayama with a change at Chayamachi on most trips. The JR Pass covers these JR lines but not local buses or ferries. Okayama itself is on the Sanyo Shinkansen, about 45 minutes from Shin-Osaka and about 35 minutes from Hiroshima by Nozomi. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Kojima Jeans Street?

Take a JR Seto-Ohashi Line train from Okayama to Kojima, about 25 minutes, then walk about 15 minutes to Kojima Jeans Street.

How do I get to Washuzan from Kojima Station?

Take a Shimotsui-line bus from Kojima Station for about 25 minutes, then walk about 5 minutes to the viewpoint. Buses run roughly once an hour.

How long is the Seto Ohashi Bridge?

The Seto Ohashi Bridge is a chain of 11 bridges and viaducts about 13 km long. It opened in 1988 and carries an expressway on top and a railway below.

How do I get from Okayama to Naoshima?

Take JR trains from Okayama to Uno, about an hour with a change at Chayamachi on most trips, walk 5 to 10 minutes to Uno Port, and take the ferry to Miyanoura on Naoshima, about 15 to 20 minutes.