PIZZA KING

When passing through Okayama to get to Hiroshima or Kyuushu, -make sure to stop by 和気(WAKE) for the BEST pizza in Japan! Who would have guessed the best pizza in Japan would be in a small countryside town? Well, you should check it out for yourself and you won’t be disappointed. There are about twenty different styles/toppings you can choose from and it’s all baked in a charming brick-oven. My personal favorites are Hawaii, Nasu(eggplant) or Spinach. The exquisite Mediterranean décor and warm atmosphere is a lovely bonus –during the spring or summer the grand windows are left open so you can enjoy the soft breeze, or you can also eat outdoors under a lofty umbrella and enjoy the scenery of the green mountains and the eggshell blue sky.

How to get to WAKE? If you are coming from Kyoto and Osaka area –just take the local SANYO line to Okayama. You will have to transfer either at HIMEJI station or AIOI station to take the train headed to Okayama. You can take the trains that head to Okayama, Mihara, or Hiroshima, as any of the local SANYO line trains will make a stop at WAKE station. From Osaka, it takes about one hour and forty-five minutes to get to WAKE. If that seems like too long a ride, you could take a break and stretch your legs at Himeji by going to check out Himeji castle for a few hours. From Himeji station, it takes about an hour or less to get to WAKE. If you are coming from Okayama city, it takes only thirty minutes on the SANYO line. Just take a Himeji, Mitsuishi, Yoshinaga or Wake bound train from platform 3 or 4 (be careful you don’t hop on the AKO line trains).

When you arrive at WAKE station, -from the entrance you’ll see a parking lot to your right and in front of you, to your left, you’ll see the CHUGOKU bank building.

Straight ahead is a main road, and when you walk along that road, you’ll immediately see KIMURA bakery on your right.

Shortly after, you’ll see an empty arcade on your right next to the old PACHINKO sign. Well, just pass by those things and keep walking straight along the main road. In a very short time, you’ll end up at a dead end and the river.

You’ll see the pedestrian bridge(which is the dead end) –take that bridge and cross the river. The restaurant is right at the base of that mountain.

Keep walking until you get to the steps and crosswalk. From there cross the street(like the guy with the yellow bag in the picture).

Then take a right towards the dry cleaning shop(the brown building with the blue sign).

Go straight for a just few more seconds, and you’ll find Pizza King on your left! It should only take five minutes or less by walking from the station. So if you have not found it by then, you are on the wrong track. Just remember it’s nestled right under the mountain. ENJOY.

Dinner time pizza prices are from 1500YEN – 2000YEN
Lunch time pizza prices are 1000YEN(with a drink and salad too! Highly recommend this! おすすめ) Weekdays OPEN:11:30～14:00 17:00～21:30 Sundays: 12:00～21:00

Pizza King is closed during regular National Holidays and also for summer break from June to mid-July. Check their website for further information.