Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, Okayama - Japan


Kurashiki is a city located in Okayama. It is one of old merchant towns. There are many historical townhouses and some has become museums. One of the highlight in Kurashiki Historic Bikan District is traditional boat tour of canal. Many visitors are afraid of the flood hit effect but Kurashiki's Historic Bikan District and Ohara Museum are not affected even it is located in Okayama. I went to Kurashiki in summer. The weather is very hot so I did not see many people visited there. During the spring and autumn, you can enjoy the scenery in good weather along the canal. 


Kurashiki Map

Kurashiki Map: Okayama Prefecture Tourism Website
Access

From Shin-Osaka Station: Shinkansen Nozomi / Sakura / Mizuho to Okayama Station (50 minutes).

From Okayama Station: JR Hakubi Line / JR Sanyo Line to Kurashiki Station (16-17 minutes).

From Kurashiki Station, South exit. You can either turn left or right and go straight. Then, Cross the road.  



Here is in front of Kurashiki Station. Information Centre is on the right side of South exit. On the left, there is department store "Tenmaya".  



Follow the main road is the easiest way and you will not get lost.



The sign point to Bikan Historical Quarter. It takes 10 minutes walk from Kurashiki Station.
I turned left instead of going straight so I would see the shopping street first. I recommend you go straight first because it is easy to find the Kurashiki Canal and when you go back to station, you will pass this shopping street. 



Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area

As I mentioned earlier, the traditional boat tour is popular here. The admission fee is 500 yen for adult and 250 yen for child. Below 5 years old is free admission. You may have doubt that why don't see many people come here. I went there in the afternoon, the weather is very very hot in summer and the visitors also concern about the safety after the flood-hit. 



There are some souvenir shops in these traditional house. You may also take a break and try some kakigori (Japanese shaved ice dessert flavored with syrup and a sweetener).




Ohara Museum of Art

The first private Western museum of art in Japan was established by Magosaburo Ohara in 1930.  

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Mondays and 28 to 31 December (If a national holiday falls on a Sunday or Monday, the museum will be open on Monday.)

Admission Fee: 1,300 yen (includes entrance to the Kojima Museum)



Kurashiki Ivy Square

It was renovated from the factory of the Kurashiki Spinning Works into Kurashiki Ivy Square for a multi purpose facility.



Apart of the above sightseeing places, there are another two museums that I recommend. I did not visit both of them because I had an appointment.




Momotaro Karakuri Museum
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (extended hours during the summer)
Closed: No closing days

Admission: 600 yen (discount 100 yen if you show JR West Pass)

Toy Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: January 1

Admission: 400 yen

Going back to Kurashiki Station, you can walk pass this shopping street but it is not lively street. The shops sell the local and traditional products, not a fashion one. If you look for the souvenir goods or supermarket, please go shopping at the back of Kurashiki Station.



The north exit of Kurashiki Station, there are department stores. You can find the tax-free shops, supermarket, food center, cafe, restaurants and etc. at Ario. Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki (Brand name products outlet) is behind Ario Shopping Mall. 



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