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Core city in Chūgoku, Japan
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Gorilla Jones at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kurashiki (倉敷市 Kurashiki-shi) is one of Japan's great old merchant towns, with around half a million citizens today. Sitting along a scenic canal at the foot of Mt. Tsurugata, Kurashiki's white-walled storehouses are beautifully preserved and open for exploration.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
大原美術館 Ōhara bijutsukan
The first museum of Western art in Japan,it houses a deservedly renowned collection of classic European and American art, including major works by Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Matisse, and many others. There's another building for exhibitions by modern Japanese artists, which tend to be very good. Set aside some time to wander the grounds as well, with Rodin statues out front, a small sculpture garden out back, and neoclassical columns beatifically out of character with the rest of the area.
児島虎次郎記念館
Dedicated to the work of the Japanese artist who directed the acquisition of most of the Ohara Museum's collection.
倉敷考古館
Housed in a particularly lovely old rice warehouse, this museum has Japanese, Chinese, and even Incan artifacts on display.
日本郷土玩具館
A collection of over 40,000 toys, although only 5,000 or so are generally on display. Most are show-pieces (and occasionally eerie ones at that), but there are some that kids can play with hands-on.
倉敷民藝館
Hosts excellent seasonal and permanent exhibitions of Japanese folk crafts. Even if you're not captivated by the subject matter, the space in which it's housed — three vintage structures connected by narrow corridors and old stairwells — is worth checking out.
星野仙一記念館 Hoshino sen'ichi kinenkan
Kurashiki native Sen'ichi Hoshino (1947-2018) was a long-time pitcher and manager for the Chunichi Dragons of Japanese pro baseball noted for his open hatred of the Yomiuri Giants; later led the Hanshin Tigers and Rakuten Golden Eagles. This museum collects some of his memorabilia and career highlights.
大山名人記念館
Yasuharu Oyama (1923-1992), also a Kurashiki native, was an eighteen time champion of shogi; upon his retirement, he was crowned the 15th Lifetime Meijin (Grand Master) of the game.
桃太郎のからくり博物館
With the figure of Momotaro outside and souvenirs sold inside, it is often mistaken by foreign tourists as just another shop and a cute photo-op, but this building is actually a "museum of mystery" dedicated to Momotaro, the Peach Boy. The museum features a variety of fun and interactive mind tricks that bear no real connection to the tale but are quite fun, especially for children. From there, prepare yourself for a walk through the dark lair of the ogres that Momotaro defeated before ascending the stairs to see some historical depictions of the tale and other items of nostalgia.
いがらしゆみこ美術館
Memorabilia and artwork from Candy Candy, one of the most popular manga among Japanese girls and a cult favorite overseas. (There is, however, no actual candy here.).
倉敷市立美術館
Exhibits of work by artists from Kurashiki, with a focus on the renowned painter Yoson Ikeda (1895-1988). The building, designed by Kenzo Tange, is an odd attempt to reinterpret warehouses of the Bikan area in concrete.
倉敷昆虫館
Local insects, pinned and displayed for your examination. It's about 10 minutes north of the Bikan area, though, so it's only worth seeking out for serious entomology fans.
倉敷市立自然史博物館
Local flora, fauna, insects, and geology; the star attraction is a Naumann's Elephant, a giant prehistoric mammal from southern Japan.
大橋家住宅
If you've had it with ordinary merchants, visit the home of this family of retired samurai who went into business in Kurashiki.
円通寺 Entsū-ji
Entsuji Temple is famous as the site where the famous poet Priest Ryokan wrote many of his most famous poems. From the temple grounds, there is an impressive view of the factories in the Kojima area (which is quite beautiful, despite how it may sound), as well as the Seto Inland Sea. This temple is also the seventh temple along the Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage route.
西爽亭; Yunoki House
This is one of Kurashiki's true hidden gems. The Saisou-tei is where local clan leader, Kumata Ataka committed seppuku, which prevented a war from breaking out in the Tamashima area. What makes it so fascinating is that the building has been preserved so that the actual blood stains from the seppuku remain visible on the ceiling; a rare sight. When you enter, you will be given a short tour in Japanese only however, after reading this, you should be able to follow along and see what they are showing you when they point towards the ceiling.
旧野﨑家住宅
This building was constructed in 1833 as the home of Buzaemon Nozaki, a wealthy salt farmer. Not only can you roam about the residence, there are also storehouses on site that contain information and tools related to salt farming.
ジーンズミュージアム
The Kojima area of Kurashiki is known throughout Japan for its high-quality jeans, and the museum displays items made in the factory and the history of Kojima jean production. You can also buy or order custom jeans.
児島学生服資料館
A museum showcasing the history of school uniforms and their development through the years. It's located here because the Kojima area produces a large percentage of the school uniforms worn nationwide.
由加山蓮台寺
A unique complex composed of both a shrine and a temple. The torii gate is made of Bizen pottery. The shrine is a sister shrine to the famous Konpirasan in Kotohira. It is also the 6th temple along the Chugoku Pilgrimage Route.
通仙園
A garden that features over 3,000 azalea bushes that bloom during the spring. Like much of the area's attractions, there is also a great view of the Seto Inland Sea from the garden grounds.
下津井城 Shimotsui-jō
Built as a fort in the late 16th century, it was expanded into a proper castle in 1603. It lasted until the one castle per province edict was implemented in 1639 when the castle was torn down. Today the ruins of some of the castle walls are all that remain. There is also a great view of the Inland Sea and Seto Ohashi Bridge from the castle grounds.
鷲羽山
A popular place for locals to picnic and relax while enjoying one of the best views of the Seto Ohashi Bridge and the Seto Inland Sea.
鷲羽山ハイランド
A fun Brazil-themed amusement park, with a variety of rides (including the pedal-powered, electricity free SkyCycle), karaoke, roller skating, ice skating, a swimming pool, and live performances. There are two hotels attached: the Washu Highland and Washuzan Shimoden.
倉敷スポーツ公園
A large sports park with a variety of facilities for those interested in getting in shape (or just for fun), such as tennis courts, a fitness center, park, and more. Inside its precincts is Muscat Stadium, the biggest baseball stadium in Okayama, established in 1965. Entrance to the stadium is only permitted when events are being held there. The 1500-m running/walking course around the perimeter is popular with locals.
倉敷市屋内水泳センター
An excellent 50-m swimming pool within easy cycling or walking distance of Kurashiki's Bikan historic area, close to the City Office. There's a separate 25-m pool for splashing about in. Like many public pools in Japan, everyone is required to get out of the water for 5 minutes each hour (at this pool, between 25 and 30 minutes past the hour), so check the time before going in if you want an uninterrupted swim.
倉敷雛巡り
A display of Hina Dolls for the Girls' Festival from late February to mid-March. The dolls can be viewed in historic buildings in the Bikan area, as well as other areas of the city, such as the Kojima, Tamashima, Mizushima, and Makibi areas.
せんい児島
Held in Kurashiki's Kojima area, the textile capital of Japan, the festival features a variety of vendors with the locally-made denim being the star. There are a lot of fun activities for kids and lots of vendors selling local favorites, such as Shimotsui octopus and the jeans ice cream.
ハートランド倉敷
Also known as the Kurashiki Wisteria Story (くらしき藤物語), the festival takes place in the Bikan Historic District. The event features amazake drinking, traditional music performances, and singing. However the highlight of the event is watching the "wisteria maiden", a young bride-to-be, ride on a boat down the canal. As for the wisteria, it is rather secondary to the rest of the festivities, but there is a small wisteria trellis and some wisteria-themed decorations at Achi Shrine.
倉敷天領夏祭り
A big festival with drums and events during the daytime and a large evening parade to kick off the start of summer and the end of the rainy season.
ぶっかけうどん
The Kurashiki brand of udon carries influence from Edo-period Tokyo, courtesy of the local business magnates who did trade with the shogunate. Today, Kurashiki natives will tolerate no other noodles. The sauce is served separately, so customers can pour it (bukkakeru) onto the noodles themselves. This popular chain has eight locations in the city, including four surrounding JR Kurashiki Station; hours vary, but the HQ at 2-3-23 Achi-dori (07:00-21:00) is the easiest to find. Look for the distinctive yellow and black logo.
カフェ ビスキュイ
A sandwich shop that is known for its crackers and jellies. It's a good place for a quick, light meal. The crackers and jellies can also be purchased independently if you'd like to take them home as souvenirs.
ラ・チェネッタ
Japanese pizzerias are famously creative (and sometimes bizarre) with their choice of pizza toppings, but La Cenetta is an exception; chef Sekizen Kohara serves authentic Neapolitan-style pies, made in a small wood oven.
みそかつ梅の木
Umenoki serves a Nagoya specialty: breaded, fried (without oil) pork cutlets with a thick miso-based sauce, usually served over shredded cabbage or noodles.
高田屋
A smoky yet fantastic little yakitoriya (grilled chicken kebab joint) in the back alleys of the Bikan Area. Prices are reasonable and the food is fantastic. No English spoken.
八重
Always packed with locals, Yae serves good seafood and sake, and the talkative staff will be happy to make recommendations.
保乃家
This is the first restaurant in the Shimotsui area to start serving dishes featuring the locally caught octopus that has since become so famous in the region.
あっちゃん
Famous for its octopus okonomiyaki which uses the fresh, locally fished Shimotsui octopus.
喫茶 エル・グレコ
A nice coffee shop next to the Ohara Art Museum — look for the red awning, and the building covered in ivy. Coffee and blueberry pie is the house specialty. It's named for the Spanish artist, whose The Annunciation is among the major works in the Ohara's collection.
兆屋
Food, local microbrews and inventive food (very Japanese) at this friendly pub/drinking hole.
倉敷珈琲館
Get educated and caffeinated in this beautiful, atmospheric coffee shop, managed by people who are serious about their beans. Brewed by French press, the coffee is served straight or mixed with honey and liquers to make their house "Queen of Amber" concoction.
スーラバー
A cozy pub/coffee shop/clothing store (named for a Cream song) located two minutes south of JR Kurashiki Station — look for the green building. The friendly staff serves good food and desserts until 8PM and drinks until late.
倉敷ユースホステル
Rooms contain two sets of bunk beds and a small TV area. There is also a nice commons area with a fireplace and musical instruments, and meals are served. Pick-up may be available if you phone ahead. Otherwise, take bus #6 to Shiminkaikan-mae (last departure 20:50) and walk uphill for ten minutes.
ホテル・アルファ－ワン倉敷
A standard hotel with the desk and TV. There are showers in the rooms, but large shared baths are also available.
東横INN倉敷駅南口
A popular Japanese hotel chain.
ホテル セントイン倉敷
A business hotel.
倉敷ステーションホテル
Five floors and 111 small rooms slightly more pleasant than the average business hotel. They offer steep discounts for online booking; buffet Japanese breakfasts are available for ¥1000.
倉敷せとうち児島ホテル
A nice hotel near Washuzan Highland with a large onsen area to enjoy.
倉敷アイビースクエア
Small, decent rooms in a splendid location. All of the amenities of Ivy Square (shopping, a restaurant, a beer garden) are on hand. Some rooms face a parking lot and some face a grove of palm trees, so you may wish to state your preference between those two alternatives.
倉敷ロイヤルアートホテル
Nice, well-appointed Western-style rooms, with notably spacious bathrooms. Western and Japanese buffet breakfasts are available to mix and match as you please.
旅館くらしき
A traditional inn, occupying an atmospheric complex of old buildings, facing the canal in the Bikan section. There are various styles of suites — Western, traditional, mixed — scattered along a maze of corridors. Little English is spoken, but the staff welcomes foreigners, and breakfast is available. Guests should arrive early enough to sip tea by the garden and soak themselves before dinner. It's on the left side of the canal as you walk from the train station, at a bend in the canal.
鶴形
Another beautiful ryokan, in business for more than 250 years with eleven Japanese-style rooms. The garden, in particular, is pure Kurashiki atmosphere. Stellar meals of seafood (and nothing but seafood, mind you) are included in the rate, and a little English is spoken.
平翠軒
The Food of Life is stocked at this store of delicacies from all over Japan, sold in gift sets. The headquarters of the Morita Shuzo Sake Brewery (森田酒造株式会社) is on the premises as well.
伊勢屋
If you enjoyed the Toy Museum, stop here for a mix of European wooden toys from the cheap & nifty to the expensive & hand-crafted.
アイビースクエア
There is some historical charm in this old cotton mill, built of red bricks and covered in green ivy, but it's mainly here to sell high-end art, fabrics, and other traditional wares.
廣榮堂倉敷店
The favorite sweet of Okayama and Momotaro, kibi dango (吉備団子), is sold here. The main shop in Okayama was founded in 1856.
天満屋
Directly adjacent to JR Kurashiki Station, this branch of the department store chain has a fair amount of space set aside for local merchants.
The Kojima area is one of the largest producers of jeans in all of Japan. All of the local jeans producers have shops located somewhere along the street where you can buy or order their jeans. The "street" is actually two streets. It starts where our marker is located on the map but when the road ends, it continues down towards the Nozaki House.
By train
Kurashiki is on the San'yo Main Line between Okayama and Fukuyama.
By bus
Several companies run daytime and overnight bus routes from Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Matsuyama, Tokushima, Kochi, Fukuoka, and elsewhere. Operators include Chugoku JR Bus Company (+81 86-236-1123).
By train
Although the city is all connected by land, in terms of rail travel, it feels disconnected.
By bus
Some parts of the city are most easily accessed by bus.
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