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Ikeda Mitsumasa, a lord of Okayama, commissioned Tsuda Nagatada to build this school. Completed in 1701, it was open not only to samurai but also farmers — it is said to be the first school in the world to be open to all classes of people. Now designated a national treasure, the school is still in its original condition, and the shining ebony floor is an impressive sight. Naturally, the roof tiles are made with bizen-yaki. The kai (楷) trees (Chinese pistache, nicknamed "trees of learning") on the grounds were brought here from a Confucius Temple in China are lovely, especially during cherry blossom season and the autumn. It's about 10 minutes by taxi from JR Yoshinaga Station (¥1200), or a longer ride from JR Imbe (¥2500).
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正楽寺
The third temple of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage.
藤原啓記念館
A museum featuring the artwork of Kei Fujiwara, a renowned Bizen potter who was designated a Living National Treasure in 1970.
備州窯
Try your hand at pottery. Reservations required. Shipping can take several months.
天津神社
A shrine whose approach is lined with Bizen pottery tiles and zodiac animals. They even have ema made of Bizen pottery.
備前市立備前焼ミュージアム Bizen shiritsu bizenyaki myujiamu
This concrete block displays both old and new examples of Bizen-style pottery. It also has informative displays on how Bizen-yaki is produced, the various ways it is fired, and displays results of each of the firing techniques.
BIZEN中南米美術館
A museum containing a variety of historic artifacts from Central and South America.