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
- (Mar–Nov) 9:00–17:00
(Dec–Feb) 9:00–16:30 - Closed
- Mon and Tue (but open all national
holidays), Dec 29–Jan 2 - Admission
- Adults ¥400 (reduced for children)
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 ¥500 (reduced for children)
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.
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 1 - Admission
- Adults ¥700 (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)
Traditional Boat Tour of Kurashiki Canal
Enjoy the sights of the Kurashiki canal from an old-fashioned boat on this 20-minute cruise.
- 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) - Hours
- 9:30–17:00
(depending on weather conditions) - Fare
- Adults ¥500, children ¥250
- Tickets
- Tickets available at Kurashikikan Tourist
Information Office
Tel. 086-422-0542 (+81-86-422-0542)
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.
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.
Kurashikikan (Tourist Information Office)
Nationally Registered Tangible 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.
- Hours
- 9:00–18:00
- Closed
- Dec 29–Dec 31
- Inquiries
- TEL. 086-422-0542（+81-86-422-0542）
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 / Kojima Torajiro Memorial Hall)
- For inquiries
- TEL. 086-422-0005（+81-86-422-0005）
Torajiro Kojima Memorial Museum
Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property
Housed in a renovated warehouse in Kurashiki Ivy Square, this memorial museum celebrates the achievements of painter Torajiro Kojima, who helped the Ohara Museum of Art acquire a large amount of art. Some of Kojima's best-known works as well as ancient Asian and Egyptian art are also on display.
- Open
- 9:00–17:00 (reception closes at 16:30)
- Closed
- Mon (open on all national holidays and during summer vacation and Oct), The year-end
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.
Japan Toy 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)
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.
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.
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.
Bikan Historical Quarter:
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.
