Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter: Walking the Edo-Period Commercial City Where White Walls and Willows Shine

The "Bikan Historical Quarter" in Kurashiki City, Okayama is a historic townscape retaining the atmosphere of the commercial city of Kurashiki, which flourished as a direct shogunate territory (tenryo) during the Edo period. The scenery of white-walled storehouses, namako-plaster walled Kurashiki lattices, and weeping willows lining both banks of the Kurashiki River is known as one of Japan's most beautiful townscapes.

Ohara Museum of Art: Treasure House of Western Art

The biggest attraction of the Bikan Historical Quarter is the "Ohara Museum of Art." This private museum focused primarily on Western art, opened in 1930 (Showa 5) by local businessman Ohara Magosaburo as Japan's first of its kind, holds many masterpieces of European modern painting including El Greco, Monet, Renoir, and Cezanne.

Kurashiki River Boat Cruise

On the Kurashiki River, visitors can enjoy "kawa-fune nagashi" (river boat drifting) by hand-rowed river boats (donbune). Viewing white-walled storehouses and willow trees from the water surface allows experiencing the tranquil Kurashiki atmosphere.

Traditional Crafts and Kurashiki Denim

Around the Bikan Historical Quarter, many craft shops utilizing local industries including Kurashiki canvas, Kurashiki denim, and Kurashiki glass offer distinctive shopping.

Access

About 15 minutes on foot from JR Kurashiki Station. About 1.5 hours from Osaka by Shinkansen and conventional train.