In case you’re in search of a standard Japanese townscape with out the crowds, Kurashiki Bikan Historic Quarter in Okayama would be the excellent spot on your itinerary.
Travellers alongside the Golden Route typically skip Okayama, however I feel it makes for an awesome stopover between Osaka/Kyoto and Hiroshima. Okayama metropolis has some nice sights, together with Korakuen Backyard and Okayama Citadel, and when you take a brief prepare journey south, you possibly can add Kurashiki to your itinerary too.
A part of Kurashiki, the Bikan Historic Quarter, is a well-preserved service provider city with cobblestoned streets, conventional wood homes, a small canal lined with willow timber and outdated black-and-white warehouses that present a extra European affect.
This a part of Kurashiki provides you that conventional ambiance many individuals try to discover in Kyoto, however with out the massive crowds. And because it’s really easy to entry from Okayama, it makes for a day (half)-day journey. Right here is my in the future Kurashiki itinerary.
Kurashiki Itinerary Overview & Map
Kurashiki is kind of a big city, with almost 500,000 folks calling it dwelling. Nevertheless, when referring to Kurashiki by way of tourism, I’ll primarily concentrate on the Kurashiki Bikan Historic Quarter. It’s solely round quarter-hour from the prepare station on foot.
This a part of Kurashiki is a well-preserved service provider city, full of almost 500 conventional homes alongside a canal lined with willow timber. That is the kind of conventional ambiance many individuals go to Kyoto for, however you will discover it with out the massive crowds in Kurashiki.
Through the Edo Interval (1603–1868), the Kurashiki River that flows by means of the historic quarter was the realm’s essential entry level for ships from the Seto Inland Sea. Kurashiki thrived as a rich service provider city with some Western affect, as might be seen in a few of its structure.
The land on which Kurashiki stands is especially reclaimed land from the Seto Inland Sea, which induced the soil to be too salty for rice to develop correctly. As a substitute, the folks right here grew cotton because the plant might stand the salty soil, turning Kurashiki right into a hub for cotton.
As Kurashiki’s river was a gateway to the Seto Inland Sea, neighbouring cities the place rice might develop would ship it to Kurashiki to be saved. The various warehouses that saved the rice and cotton gave town its identify – Kurashiki interprets to “city of warehouses”.
As Kurashiki is fast and simple to go to from Okayama, taking a (half)day journey right here is a good concept. If you’re planning a day journey to Kurashiki, you should utilize the next map to find a few of the essential sights:
Kurashiki is nice to go to all 12 months spherical, however is very lovely from cherry blossom season to late autumn. The timber that line the canal in Kurashiki are one of many essential issues that make this city so charming.
We had been right here in early March, which was a little bit too early to see the timber with leaves. I’m planning to return sooner or later to see the city in its full glory (and can replace this information with any new data/photographs once I do!).
Kurashiki Bikan Historic Quarter Itinerary
Here’s what I recommend testing on a day journey to Kurashiki:
1. Take a Punting Boat Journey Alongside the Canal
Top-of-the-line issues to do in Kurashiki is to discover the Bikan Historic Quarter and take a ship journey alongside the canal. Kurashiki additionally goes by the nickname “Venice of Japan” (to not be confused with Yanagawa, the Venice of Kyushu) because the boats on the canal are being pushed with a big pole, much like the gondolas in Venice.
Tickets for the boat rides might be purchased on the Vacationer Info Centre. This Western-style constructing sits on the nook of the 2 essential streets alongside the canal – it’s onerous to overlook!
On the time of writing, tickets value ¥700 for adults and ¥350 for kids. The primary journey begins at 9:30 am and runs each half-hour till 5 pm. You’ll be able to pre-book slots on the day on the Vacationer Info Centre, so it’s finest to do that as quickly as you arrive in Kurashiki. The slots e book up fairly rapidly.
The information on the boat will give some info and particulars about Kurashiki on the boat, nevertheless it’s solely in Japanese. However even when you don’t converse Japanese, the journey may be very enjoyable and it’s nice to see the city from this angle.
2. Take a Free Strolling Tour By way of Kurashiki
There’s a group of round 40 locals in Kurashiki who supply free guided excursions in English by means of the Bikan Historic Quarter. They’ve been doing this since 1990! The strolling excursions begin at 1:30 pm on weekdays exterior the Tourism Info Centre.
We took one of many excursions throughout our go to and it was incredible! Not solely did we study a lot concerning the space, it was additionally nice to attach with one of many locals. Our information lived in Kurashiki most of his life and had a lot to share about how the city has modified, together with many attention-grabbing details concerning the buildings.
I gained’t spoil an excessive amount of by sharing all the pieces we realized, however I couldn’t suggest it extra. It’s such an awesome initiative! You could find some extra details about the excursions on their web site.
There are some rickshaw excursions in Kurashiki Bikan Historic Quarter. They often stand across the canal space, so you possibly can converse with them and organize a tour on the day. If that is in your Japan bucket record, Kurashiki is a good spot to strive it.
3. Discover Kurashiki Denim Avenue
Town of Kurashiki sits on principally reclaimed land, making the soil fairly salty. Not all vegetation develop properly on salty soil, however fortunately, cotton does! Because the folks of Kurashiki began farming cotton, additionally they began dyeing it, changing into the hub for Japanese denim.
The Kojima district in Kurashiki (which is situated additional South) is named the birthplace of Japanese denim. However you will discover these well-known denims and different denim merchandise on Kurashiki Denim Avenue.
Aside from style gadgets, you may as well get just a few “denim” themed snacks. These pork steamed buns, gentle serve ice cream and pudding are all colored blue as somewhat nod to the denim bought on the road.
4. Attempt Kibi Dango
Most Japanese Prefectures have just a few dishes or snacks that they’re recognized for. Okayama is not any exception, with Kibi Dango being one in every of their specialities.
Kibi Dango performs a giant position within the native folklore or Momotaro (Peach Boy), the hero of Okayama Prefecture. Lengthy story brief, however Momotaro was born in an enormous peach and was discovered by a girl who adopted him. A part of the story consists of him recruiting a canine, monkey and pheasant by providing them a part of this Kibi Dango.
The gentle Mochi is roofed in syrup and sugar. As they’re one of many snacks Okayama is known for, they’re straightforward to search out in Kurashiki. They’re even higher recent!
5. Go to Achi Shrine
On high of Mount Tsurugata, you will discover Kurashiki’s essential shrine, Achi Shrine. You’ll be able to observe the steps in the direction of the shrine from Bikan Historic Quarter, and also you’ll be handled with a stunning view of the normal roofs of Kurashiki.
Previously, the shrine was an necessary cease for retailers who had been travelling throughout the Seto Inland Sea from Kurashiki to hope for security.
In case you’re visiting in April or Might, be sure that to cease by Achi no Wisteria. This wisteria is alleged to be someplace between 300 and 500 years outdated. Sadly, we had been visiting a bit too early for it to be blooming, however that’s simply one more reason to come back again.
6. See Inside Ohashi Home
Kurashiki thrived as a wealthy service provider city through the Edo Interval, and the Ohashi household was one of many richest. The Ohashi residence in Kurashiki nonetheless stands immediately and is even open to the general public.
Inside this conventional machida, you will discover lovely tatami rooms and sliding doorways. Exterior, you may as well get pleasure from views of a standard backyard. The home is classed as an Essential Cultural Property in Japan.
7. Go to Ivy Sq.
You’ll be able to most likely instantly see that Kurashiki Ivy Sq. is closely influenced by British factories. With its crimson brick facade, Kurashiki Ivy Sq. was once the house of the Kurashiki Spinning Mill – the primary fashionable cotton mill in Japan.
These days, it’s dwelling to a museum, a lodge, eating places and a few retailers. There are some koi within the pond on the sq..
8. Go to One of many Many Museums in Kurashiki
One factor that stunned me about Kurashiki is that it has so many museums! Relying on how a lot time you will have in Kurashiki, it could possibly be price including one or two to your itinerary.
A number of the most notable museums embrace the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum, Momotaro Karakuri Museum, the Piggy Financial institution Museum and the Ohara Museum of Artwork (which is full of each Japanese and Western artwork, together with Monet and Picasso).
9. Store For Washi Tape on Honmachi-dori
One of many enjoyable details I realized throughout our strolling tour by means of Kurashiki is that the city is the birthplace of washi tape. The colourful ornamental tape with enjoyable patterns and designs has gotten fairly fashionable all the world over, however washi tape’s authentic might be traced again to Kurashiki.
Bikan Historic Quarter has some nice retailers to take a look at promoting stationery, together with washi tape. Our information took us to at least one particular store referred to as Nyochiku-do on Honmachi-dori. They’ve tons of of various washi tape patterns, together with a big choice of different stationery gadgets. There actually is not any higher spot to purchase washi tape than the native land!
Honmachi-dori is a good road to discover, even when you’re not after stationery. You could find retailers promoting all types, from conventional crafts and sweets to small native cafes and eating places. In case you handle to go to Kurashiki early within the morning, the streets ought to nonetheless be good and quiet.
10. Spot the Pokémon Manhole Covers
There are numerous artsy manhole covers scattered throughout Japan. We like them a lot that we’ve a complete Fb group devoted to them. However out of all of the manhole covers, my favourites must be the Pokémon ones.
Kurashiki is dwelling to all 4 of Okayama Prefecture’s Pokémon manhole covers, three of which might be discovered across the Bikan Historic Quarter. Quantity 4 is situated in Kojima, which is on the South finish of Kurashiki.
The Pokémon manhole covers are a enjoyable little treasure to search out. Those in Kurashiki are literally the very first ones I ever discovered, and it undoubtedly received me in search of them in different places in Japan too!
Conclusion – Is Kurashiki Value Visiting?
Kurashiki might be price visiting when you have sufficient time and are planning to go to close by locations already. I most likely wouldn’t exit of your method simply to go to Kurashiki, because it’s solely a small space and generally is a little bit of a trek if Okayama isn’t on your itinerary already.
Nevertheless, Kurashiki can undoubtedly be price visiting if Okayama is in your radar. Okayama Metropolis is dwelling to one in every of Japan’s three most lovely gardens, Korakuen Backyard, and Okayama Citadel. As town sits between Osaka and Hiroshima, including a day or two could possibly be price it when travelling the Golden Route.
Okayama can also be intently linked with Shikoku Island. The Seto Ohashi Bridge connects Okayama Prefecture in Honshu with Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku. In case you’re planning to make a stopover in Shikoku (which I extremely suggest on a second or third journey to Japan), Okayama could possibly be an awesome addition for a few days.