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Before you go
Your trip to Kurashiki.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Kurashiki – Okayama Destination Okayama and Kurashiki about 18 km from Okayama
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Okayama (OKJ) Okayama · 33 km
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Estação de Kurashiki 1 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Local Sanyo Line trains link Okayama and Kurashiki in about 15 minutes. Visitors from Hiroshima can change from the shinkansen at Shin-Kurashiki and take a local train for about 10 minutes. The Bikan district is about a 15-minute walk from Kurashiki Station.
How many days
Half a day for the canal, the Ohara Museum and the surrounding streets. An overnight stay lets you see the district lit and empty and take an early walk before tour groups arrive.
When to go
The district is attractive year-round. The canal’s willows are greener from spring to summer; in autumn the days are mild. The rainy season runs from June to July. The museum and many shops close one day a week; check ahead.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. The Bikan district is pedestrian-only and can be explored on foot from the station. For Kojima and the Seto Ohashi Bridge, there are local trains.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Kurashiki
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Morning
Bikan Canal
Walk from the station to the canal and stroll along the banks before the shops open, with willows and warehouses reflected in the water.
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Afternoon
Ohara Museum of Art
Visit the Ohara Museum of Art, with El Greco, Monet and Gauguin in the main building and ceramics and Japanese art in the annexes.
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Late afternoon
Ivy Square and Achi
Pass the brick mills of Ivy Square, covered in ivy, and climb to Achi Shrine for views of the district’s roofs.
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Evening
Illuminated district
Return to the canal at night, when the lights come on and the district is almost empty, and dine in one of the old houses converted into a restaurant.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Can you take a boat on Kurashiki’s canal?
Yes, there are short rowboat rides on the canal during parts of the year, with tickets sold at the district’s tourist information center. Capacity is limited.
Why do Kurashiki’s warehouses have white walls with black bands?
It’s the namako-kabe style, with black tiles fixed to the wall and raised white mortar joints, which protected warehouses from fire and damp.
Is Kurashiki far from Okayama?
No. It’s about 15 minutes by local train, with frequent departures. Many people visit both cities in the same day.
What is Kojima denim?
Kojima, in the south of Kurashiki, is a Japanese denim production center with a street of local-brand shops. It is about a 25-minute train ride from the center.
Beyond the guide
