Archaeological Museum

This museum of archaeology is housed in an old, whitewashed earthen storehouse. Artifacts on display were unearthed mainly in the Kibi region (southern Okayama), and range from prehistoric stone implements to ancient bronze bells.

Hours

9:00–17:00

Closed

Mon and Tue (but open all national
holidays), Dec 29–Jan 2

Admission

Adults ¥500 (reduced for children)

Kurashikikan (Tourist Information Office)

Municipally Designated Important Cultural Property

The wooden, Western-style building was originally erected as the Kurashiki town hall in 1917. Located in the center of the canal-side district, the tourist information office not only provides tourist information, but also serves as a free rest area with vending machines, coin lockers, and restrooms.
During Kurashikikan repair work between January 15, 2018 and August 31, 2019, Kurashiki Monogatarikan will serve as the tourist information office.

Hours

9:00–18:00
*Open : 10:00-16:00 (Dec 29-Jan 3)

Inquiries

TEL. 086-422-0542(+81-86-422-0542)

Ohashi House

Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property

The Ohashi family, having amassed great wealth through the development of new rice fields and other ventures, erected this house in 1796. It provides an excellent example of Kurashiki merchant house and it retains its original form to this day. It has been designated as an important cultural property by the national government.

Hours

9:00–17:00

Closed

Fri (Dec–Feb *but open all national
holidays), Dec 28–Jan 3

Admission

Adults ¥550 (reduced for children)

Ohara Museum of Art

The Ohara Museum of Art was the first privately operated museum of Western art in Japan. In addition to world-renowned European masterpieces such as El Greco's The Annunciation and Claude Monet's Water Lilies, the museum displays a variety of works ranging from pieces by Shiko Munakata and other Japanese artists to older works of Asian and Egyptian art.

Open

9:00–17:00 (reception closes at 16:30)

Closed

Mon (but open all national holidays and during summer vacation and Oct), The year-end

Admission

Adults ¥1,300 (Main Gallery / Annex / Craft Art and Asian Art Gallery)

For inquiries

TEL. 086-422-0005(+81-86-422-0005)

Shinkei-en Garden

A Japanese garden adjoining the Ohara Museum of Art, Shinkei-en contains a hall (Keiken-do), a tea room (Yushin-tei), and a restaurant.

Open

9:00–17:00

Closed

Dec 29–Jan 3

Admission

Free

Ohara House

Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property

With features such as windows and latticework in a unique Kurashiki style, and austere white walls, this is a classic example of a Kurashiki merchant house. It survives to this day in its original form.

Yurinso Villa

Magosaburo Ohara, who played a great role in making Kurashiki what it is today, built this detached villa for his wife. It is nicknamed “the Green Palace” for its unique roof tiles, fired with a special technique, that appear green from certain angles.

* Only the exterior can be viewed except on special public opening days.

Museum of Folkcraft

The Museum of Folkcraft revolves around the folkcraft movement in Japan that sprang from the desire for beauty in everyday objects. Pottery, glass and other charming works of folkcraft are displayed in a restored rice granary. The building, dating from the late Edo (1603–1868) period, is a tourist attraction itself.

Hours

(Mar–Nov) 9:00–17:00
(reception closes at 16:45)
(Dec–Feb) 9:00–16:15
(reception closes at 16:00)

Closed

Mon (but open all national holidays),
Dec 29–Jan 2

Admission

Adults ¥700 (reduced for children)

Japanese Folk Toys Museum

This museum exhibits rural toys from all over Japan from the Edo, Meiji, and Showa (1603–1989) periods. Attached facilities, including galleries, shops, and cafes, are arranged around a central garden courtyard.

Hours

9:00–17:00
(times differ for attached facilities)

Closed

January 1

Admission

Adults ¥400 (reduced for children)

Momotaro Karakuri Hakubutsukan Museum

Momotaro, the protagonist of one of Japan's best-known folk tales, is said to be based on someone actually active in the Okayama region. This museum displays woodblock prints, picture-card shows and other materials related to Momotaro, and fascinating karakuri wind-up dolls that fool the eye are on display throughout the museum.

Hours

10:00–17:00

Closed

Open daily

Admission

Adults ¥600 (reduced for children)

Kurashiki Ivy Square

This multi-purpose public space was formerly a cotton mill. The picturesque, ivy-covered, red brick buildings house a cotton mill memorial museum, a studio offering pottery workshops, a hotel, and more.

Kurabo Memorial Museum

Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property

Located in Kurashiki Ivy Square, this building housed the original factory of textile-maker Kurabo and is a cherished piece of historic architecture.

Traditional Boat Tour of Kurashiki Canal

Enjoy the sights of the Kurashiki canal from an old-fashioned boat on this 20-minute cruise.

Hours

9:30–17:00
(depending on weather conditions)

Closed

(Mar-Nov) Closed second Mon (but open all national holidays)
(Dec-Feb) Open only Sat and Sun and national holidays (but closeYear-end and New Year holidays)

Fare

Adults ¥500, children ¥250

Tickets

Tickets available at Kurashikikan Tourist
Information Office
Tel. 086-422-0542 (+81-86-422-0542)

Honmachi and Higashimachi

A glimpse into Japanese daily life

This east-west street on the southern edge of Tsurugata-yama was once the main route to destinations east of Kurashiki, and thrived as a merchants' and artisans' quarter. It has an altogether different atmosphere from the Kurashiki canal district and gives visitors a sense of everyday life in Japan. Cafés, galleries, and izakaya pub restaurants in renovated storehouses and townhouses make it a charming and picturesque area.

Inoue House

Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property

Of the many houses of traditional construction in Kurashiki, this is the oldest.Currently it is closed to the public as it undergoes preservation repairs. It is scheduled to re-open in April 2018.

Kusudo House

This combined shop and residence is a prime example of Meiji-period (1868–1912) architecture and has unique features including “mushikomado” latticed windows. It has been designated by the city as an important cultural property and currently houses a kimono shop.

Achi Shrine

With a history stretching back 1,700 years, this shrine is proudly perched atop the Tsurugata-yama hill. It features a stage for Noh plays and the Achi wisteria, a national treasure which is estimated to be 300–500 years old.

Bikan Historical Area
Nighttime Scenic Lighting

At sundown, gentle lights appear along the Kurashiki canal and in the Ivy Square area. Developed under the direction of a lighting designer, this scenic illumination provides a fantastic glimpse into an old-time Japanese townscape. The lights stay lit until 22:00 from April to September, and until 21:00 from October to March.

Kurashiki Monogatarikan

This tourism and cultural center includes old homes and storehouses built between the Edo (1603-1868) and early Showa Periods (1926-1989) that have been completely restored. It also features a multi-purpose hall and an exhibition room that shows townscape of Kurashiki.

Hours

(Apr–Nov) 9:00-21:00
(Dec-Mar) 9:00-19:00

Closed

Dec 29–Jan 3

Admission

Free

Kurashiki Craft Work Village

Renovated from a traditional merchant’s house in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area, this commercial complex highlights the attractiveness of order-made traditional crafts. Visitors can see and experience art craft making at six ateliers. There is a full-scale Japanese tea room on the 2nd floor where visitors can experience the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Hours

10:00-18:00

Closed

Thu