-taro, the dog, Why the monkey did you come? MOMOTARO and the pheasant, headed toward 日 本 一 Ogre Island.

Momotaro quickly grew to be a strong boy. We came At that time, in the village… to subdue you! Wahaha! Help! Because Momotaro and his followers ate the millet , YAAA!! they had become tremendously powerful. Once upon a time, One day, the old man there lived an old couple. went to a forest to cut firewood, and the old CHOMP Everyone was troubled woman went to the river to by the Ogres which plagued the village. wash clothes.

I'm going to go subdue the Ogres! HIIYAH! OUCH Are you sure ? HELP-P-P-P!! I'll wipe out Ogres!

The old couple made Each of the Ogres were beaten down, and they surrendered. Splosh~ 一 本 日 some millet dumplings Splosh~ OH! What a big peach! and a banner for Momotaro. We're sorry! Please forgive us! Brrr We'll wait for you! We promise, that we'll never do bad things again and we'll return everything we stole. Along the way.... She picked it up and took it home. If you give me one He gave one Momotaro and his followers filled treasure and returned dumpling, I'll follow you! to the dog, and they home, where they lived happily ever after. When the old man and the old woman began OK! Join me! continued on their way. to slice the peach... a baby boy jumped out of it.

CRACK! Along the way.... He gave one dumpling Oh! aah! aah! W If you give me one to the monkey, W dumpling, I'll follow you! and they continued The old couple were their way..... OK! Join us! extremely happy and they named him Momotaro (Peach Boy), If you give me one OK, Join us! because he was born dumpling, I'll follow you! from a peach. END Welcome to the 日 本 一 “Home of Momotaro”, Mt. Kinojo /Kino Castle This is an area which features in the Ura legend and is connected to the Kibitsu Shrine. According to the “Momotaro” is a folk tale widely known legend, the Ogre “Ura” was imprisoned on Mt. throughout . , famous Okayama Peach Kinojo. On the summit of the mountain, 400m for being the home of Momotaro, boasts many Fruit production flourishes in Okayama Prefecture above sea level, there sits a huge ancient Korean style castle, encircled by due to the regional geography being blessed with regions connected to the tale, and hides many of a castle wall which runs a the keys to understanding the legend of long hours of sunshine and the gentle of climate of total of approximately the Setouchi area. Momotaro. Now, let’ s take a journey to the origin 3km. Due to certain The volume of white peach production is number one similarities between it of the tale of Momotaro! in Japan! The elegant taste is popular as a part of the and the Iseongsanseong Mountain Fortress in Okayama brand. The lovely peach blossoms have Hanam, Korea, the two been designated as the Prefecture’s floral emblem. countries are currently JR Okayama Station Kibitsuhiko Shrine cooperating to carry out Momotaro Statue Momotaro Statue research.

Kibitsu Shrine Momotaro Festival This mountain top grotto is located approximately 3km from Kino Castle. It is said that it was built As the shrine of the ancient Kibi Province, this The festival is carried out every year in summer and from boulders by Ura as a place for him to live in, shrine makes claim to considerable status and autumn. In summer, a firework display and the Kibi and that the cavity behind Oni No Sashiage Iwa was history. Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto (Momotaro) is Road Ura Legend themed “Uraja Festival” is held also formed at that time as a result. enshrined within. The most distinctive feature is on the banks of the Asahi River. Large groups of Address: Okusaka, Souja City the uniquely structured roof top, which is shaped locals dress themselves as ogres and compete by two roof ridges connected into one. Both the against each other with energetic dances. There’s an amazing view main shrine () and main hall (Seiden) have In autumn there are exhibition of local products been designated as national treasures. and folk arts. Address: 931 Kibitsu, Kita Ward, Okayama City Let’s dance with ogres! The tale of Momotaro is said to have been modeled on Kibitsuhiko-no-mikoto

■ Okayama Airport Kibi Momotaro Karakuri Museum http://www.okayama-airport.org/en/ , well known due to their prominence in This museum in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area There are also many the Momotaro Legend, are dumplings made from features many exhibits of historical documents, Momotaro goods, ■ Okayama Tourism millet flour and sticky rice flour, and are popular as a Japanese wood block prints, picture card shows, perfect as souvenirs, http://okayama-japan.jp/en/ regional souvenir. and dolls, all relating to Momotaro, and is a Momo- available. How about comparing the various flavours at taro fan’s paradise. different shops? The exhibits using optical illusions and Karakuri are Have an enjoyable trip! When I eat this Kibi Dango especially interesting. I get the strength of a hundred people woof! Address: 5-11 Hon machi, Kurashiki City Okayama prefecture's official mascot