Kurashiki

The viewing room of Kurashiki Observatory, the first private observatory built in Japan, is available for one hour. A small bottle of beer and snacks will be provided. Why not spend a wonderful time lying on a reclining chair and looking at the night sky? On starry days, we will set up a telescope so you can see the stars to your heart's content. The "Kuraten Concierge" will be stationed at the facility to give you instructions on how to use and enjoy the telescope and other facilities, so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them anytime.

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kurashiki! The main attraction in Kurashiki is its atmospheric Bikan quarter, an area of historic buildings along an old willow-edged canal, laneways lined with old wooden houses and shops, and perfectly preserved Edo period mills. Visiting Kurashiki Bikan is like takling a step back in time! Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Hiroyuki Hara, the famous Hara family that lived in Kurashiki for 400 years (Edo period), represents a deeper history of Kurashiki with an interpreter. Speaking of the origin and history of Kurashiki, we will visit places in the Bikan Historical Quarter. At the end of the tour, we will enter Cafe Ueda, established in 1972 and loved by the locals for a long time, you can talk with Hiroyuki Hara. You will experience the "real Kurashiki" that you cannot find on the Internet. You will be able to discover the charm of the Bikan Historical Quarter, which only locals who actually live in Kurashiki can talk about. Let's learn more about Kurashiki from the city's history, not just sightseeing. At the end of the tour, you will receive a wonderful souvenir.

Why don't you make your one and only Temari in the world? She usually runs a glasses shop, but for everyone's benefit, Grandma Yasue will teach you how to make them for those who come to Kurashiki! Temari has long been a favorite folk craft of Kurashiki. Temari is made by wrapping thread around a core filled with rice husks and embroidery. In this experience, you will start by embroidering the core that has been made in advance.

Together with a guide, explore the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which retains its appearance from 400 years ago, while unraveling its history and culture. Then, cycle upstream along the Kurashiki River towards the Sakazu Reservoir. In the past, the Kurashiki River resembled a canal, with a wide riverbed where Takasebune boats used to travel back and forth. Currently, part of the waterway flows underground as a culvert (ankyo). You will experience both the past and present by viewing materials that showcase the remnants of the era. The destination, the Sakazu Reservoir, is about 3 kilometers away. Along the way, you will encounter many points of interest, including locations that were once entertainment districts, places that highlight Kurashiki as a transportation hub, and sites where spinning mills once stood. ★This activity involves the use of bicycles. Children are welcome to participate, but it is recommended that they be 140cm or taller. ★Our guide is a joy to explore with！

• Sample some of Morita Sake Brewery's original sake and enjoy the varying aromas and tastes of each drink. • After the brewery tour, you will receive either a small bottle of collaboration sake from Kurashiki Ivy Square Hotel, a landmark hotel in Kurashiki, or chocolate bonbons filled with Morita Sake Brewery's own blend of sake—either one makes a great souvenir! *Please note that you are not able to choose which gift you will receive. • Indulge in the region's unique flavors and sake at Inter Bridge Sake Tasting, a standing bar that opened in May 2024. You can also enjoy snacks made with seasonal ingredients visitors rarely get the chance to try, including bamboo shoots from Mabi and mozzarella cheese from Tamashima's Miyake Farm. *Snacks and alcoholic beverages vary by season.

Let's try to deepen your understanding of the Japanese people's love of nature and the culture ikebana experience!! Firstly, the interpreter will explain the history and spirit of ikebana at a flower store that has been loved by the locals for 70 years. After that, you will be able to choose one type of flower for yourself. Then, You will travel from the flower store to the classroom through the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter with an interpreter. A teacher from Ikenobo, Japan's oldest school of Ikebana, who has been arranging flowers for 65 years, will teach you everything from techniques to etiquette. This tour is not just a hands-on experience, but also a springboard to a deeper understanding of Ikebana and Japanese culture. The spirit of ikebana is rooted in the idea of giving life back to life by arranging flowers that had once been cut off by plucking. If flower arrangement is an aesthetic of addition, ikebana is an aesthetic of subtraction.

A qualified tea master will hold a full-fledged tea ceremony in a traditional tea room. You can listen to the etiquette of the tea ceremony and how to use the utensils while enjoying the matcha that is made in front of you and the beautiful Japanese sweets. It will be a wonderful experience.

In Kurashiki, you can explore a beautifully preserved townscape lined with 400-year-old traditional Japanese houses—without the overwhelming crowds. Enjoy a peaceful night stroll through the historic district! Okayama Prefecture is a food lover’s paradise, blessed by both the Seto Inland Sea in the south and the Chūgoku Mountains in the north. From Chiya beef, Okayama’s historic Wagyu, to fresh Spanish mackerel (sawara), conger eel (anago), and octopus, there are plenty of must-try local delicacies. Plus, with numerous sake breweries, Okayama is home to some of the finest Japanese sake. If you're worried about navigating unfamiliar restaurants or figuring out what to order, our guide will be there to assist you. With no need to worry about payments (unless you order extras), you can fully relax and immerse yourself in an authentic Japanese nightlife experience!

If you are going to rent a kimono, why not walk through the photo spots? Don't worry! Our English-speaking guide will help you from the moment you rent your kimono to the end of the tour. If you want to wear a more authentic kimono, this is the place to go! There are more than 100 types of kimono to choose from.

• Enjoy a unique Kurashiki indigo dyeing experience with a view of the Seto Ohashi Bridge over the calm sea! • Access to Mt. Washu can be tricky without a car, but free round-trip transportation is provided by for your convenience! • Create your very own one-of-a-kind scarf—the only one of it's kind in the whole world! • Special lunch boxes are made with local ingredients from Cafe Flago. Vegetarian, vegan, and halal lunch boxes will be provided by Tsubame Cafe. Please let us know your preference three days in advance when making the reservation. • The Halal lunch boxes from Tsubame Cafe do not contain pork or alcohol as ingredients or seasonings. However, please note that the cooking utensils are used for both halal and non-halal and options. Please make a reservation only if you are comfortable with this.

Explore Kurashiki’s rich history and beautiful streets on this two-hour short tour with a British-made Brompton bicycle. Starting from Kurashiki Station, the tour enters the Bikan Historical District, Kurashiki Archaeological Museum, and a local café. Enjoy a relaxed cycling experience through the historical streets of Kurashiki, packed with memorable sights within a short time.

During the day, the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is bustling with tourists, but at night, it takes on a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. This bar-hopping tour with a local guide allows you to discover hidden spots that are difficult to find on your own while enjoying food and drinks. Along the way, you'll also learn about the history and culture of the Bikan District, making it a unique experience that blends exploration and education.

Enjoy the history and scenic beauty of Kurashiki on a leisurely 3.5 hours cycling tour with the British-made Brompton bike. Guided in English, this tour takes you to hidden gems known only to locals, such as the picturesque Bikan District, artisan workshops, and a café on a strawberry farm. Experience Kurashiki’s unique charm and the warmth of local hospitality, creating a special journey that will linger in your memory.

Experience a tea ceremony in a space curated with only the finest selections by the current owner of a 150-year-old kimono shop. This is more than just an experience—it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the tea culture deeply rooted in the everyday life of Kurashiki. Historically, tea was originally a practice reserved for men, and to this day, there are tea rooms where women are still not allowed. This rich tradition raises intriguing questions: Why tea in Kurashiki? What led to the spread of tea culture here? Step away from the hustle and bustle of tourist spots and walk through local streets, where you can feel the daily life of Kurashiki’s residents. In a space rich in history, enjoy Japanese hospitality in a beautifully renovated kura, built 190 years ago, as the current owner personally prepares your tea. This is your chance to connect with the traditions of the past in a way that feels both authentic and intimate.

・Take a thorough tour of Korakuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter accompanied by a National Government Licensed English Guide Interpreter. ・Experience making "kakushi sushi" (seafood chirashi sushi), a local dish from Okayama with a history of about 300 years, invented during the Edo period (1603-1868), and enjoy lunch. ・At Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, after touring the Inoue House which is one of the largest, most iconic townhouses in the Important Traditional Building Preservation District, freely enjoy exploring Kurashiki's traditional townscape with a sightseeing coupon which can be used for your choice among admission to the Ukiyo-e Museum, eating out on the go, or a simple experience activity. ・Please book this Okayama round-trip tour if you have a JR Pass.

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area ; "Even just an alley looks pretty" This area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the prefecture and is lined with specialty shops, including canvas, jean, and Japanese sake shops and cafes made from renovated traditional wooden townhouses. This area also offers other attractions, such as riverboat rides and the museum of art, and visitors will never get bored strolling in this area all day.

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced English Speaking tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kurashiki! The main attraction in Kurashiki is its atmospheric Bikan quarter, an area of historic buildings along an old willow-edged canal, laneways lined with old wooden houses and shops, and perfectly preserved Edo period mills. Visiting Kurashiki Bikan is like taking a step back in time! Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.

This is the only tour that allows you to visit the Kurashiki Museum of Folk Craft with a folk craft expert and a nationally-licensed guide! (As of September 2023) By touring the Kurashiki Museum of Folk Craft with a folk art expert and interpreter, who usually does not have written explanations of the exhibits, you can learn more about folk craft and the exhibits!

Departure: Kobe Sannomiya/Himeji　Arrival: Kurashiki/Uno Port Join our exclusive bus tour to discover the ancient art of katana and the secrets of Kurashiki Bikan historical quarter. The included activities for this day are the following: ・Katana workshop with an experienced swordsmith ・Exploring Kurashiki's historical district with a local guide Yui Prima Olivia vehicle will provide you with hassle-free access to local areas that would not be easily reachable by other means of transportation. Inside the bus, our dedicated attendants cater to your every need, providing beverages, travel tips, and unparalleled service in both English and Japanese. [ROUTE] Kobe Sannomiya (boarding) → Himeji (boarding) → Katana Experience → service area → Kurashiki (drop off) → Kurashiki guided tour → Uno port (drop off)