Kurashiki City: Features, Popular Tourist Attractions, Gourmet

Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture is renowned as a tourist destination where the white-walled townscape and historical buildings from the Edo period are beautifully preserved. In particular, the Bikan Historical District features traditional merchant houses and storehouses, creating a charming landscape alongside the willow-lined Kurashiki River.

Within the Bikan District stands the Ohara Museum of Art, an Important Cultural Property of Japan, which attracts art enthusiasts from both Japan and abroad as a temple of Western art, displaying masterpieces by Impressionist painters such as Monet and Renoir. The city also promotes its appeal as an art town through various cultural facilities, including the Kurashiki Museum of Folk Crafts and the City Art Museum.

In terms of cuisine, visitors can enjoy creative food culture, including dishes made with fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea and unique jean-shaped sweets from the Kojima district, famous as the birthplace of Japanese denim. Furthermore, various dining establishments, from traditional Japanese restaurants to modern cafes, cater to tourists.

Regarding accessibility, major tourist attractions are within walking distance from JR Kurashiki Station, allowing visitors to fully experience the city’s charm even on a day trip. The convenient location, just about 15 minutes by bullet train from Okayama Station, attracts many tourists from the Kansai and Kanto regions.