24 hours in Kurashiki | Highlights in Japan’s Charming Canal City
Snapshot: Where is Kurashiki and Why is it #Worthy?
Kurashiki is in Japan’s Okayama Prefecture, less than 20 mins from Okayama City (which is ~50 mins via Shinkansen, or ~2 hrs 45 mins via local trains, from Shin-Osaka station).
With its atmospheric historical quarter, picturesque canal area and tempting artisanal goods like high-quality denim, this charming city is well worth a visit. But what truly sealed the deal for us was the Happy Pudding (it’s no misnomer!).
10 am: Stepping back in time in Bikan Historical Quarter
Exploring the Bikan Historical Quarter feels like stepping back in time. Edo-period buildings with namako (sea cucumber) walls line its streets and seem to hold juicy secrets of the past.
With such a unique setting, I couldn’t pass up the chance to immerse myself in the experience by renting a gorgeous kimono at Vasara!
#WoWa tip If you’re watching your spending, be prepared to resist the many add-ons at the rental store and stick to the basic (or one tier up) kimonos.
Wander up to Achi Shrine for a higher vantage point and an elevated heart rate, especially if you’re lucky enough to be there in spring when its ancient wisteria tree is in bloom.
A stroll along the weeping willow-lined central canal—once used for transporting goods between the city’s storehouses and a nearby port—is a must.
You can even don a straw hat and sail down the canal on a sightseeing riverboat (find out more here)!
12 pm: Discovering why Happy Pudding is truly worth the hype
Confession: We used to proclaim we weren’t ‘pudding people’… until our first Japanese pudding experience at the popular Yuurin-an.
100% worth the hype, this creamy and uplifting dessert isn’t made for sharing (don’t make the mistake we did!). Yep.. we’re now pudding converts!
They even provided adorable ‘guidelines’, suggesting we take a picture to reminisce about the experience two weeks later.
Part of the happy memory for us was their refreshing peach juice, served in an exquisite glass handcrafted by a local artist (check out the previous picture!).
2 pm: Getting an intimate tour of a traditional sake brewery
Morita Brewery is a long-standing sake producer that prides itself on using time-honoured techniques to gently craft quality sake, avoiding machines whenever possible.
For an insider’s perspective, don’t miss their guided tour. While it’s available only in the brewing ‘off season’ (Apr-Oct), the excellent English-speaking guide and brewer, Bud, brings the process to life with pictures and detailed explanations.
The brewery tour aptly ends with a tasting of their signature sake varieties, as well as a trendy yuzu sake. It certainly made us thirsty for more, so we headed to their retail store next door to pick up a bottle!
#WoWa tip The tour costs ¥1300 each and must be booked in advance—find out more here (in Japanese, but translatable via Chrome).
4 pm: Shopping for artisanal denim & washi tape
Kurashiki is the birthplace of denim in Japan and remains its denim capital. If there’s one place to splurge on premium denim, it’s here!
Kojima, a district south of Kurashiki city, is home to most of the workshops, but the historical quarter has plenty of denim stores to explore too.
#WoWa tip Check out Heart Made Base for a great selection and friendly service—my partner happily bought two lightweight denim shirts there!
Denim-themed snacks? Why not! Find ‘denim’ ice cream, buns and drinks at Kurashiki Denim Street.
#WoWa tip Not all denim products sold in Kurashiki are made there or elsewhere in Japan. So if that matters to you, be sure to ask beforehand (especially if the price seems oddly low).
The humble masking tape gets a major glow-up in Kurashiki, where the concept of decorative washi tape was born.
These beautifully crafted tapes blend traditional paper-making with contemporary design, and come in an endless array of patterns.
If you won’t be exploring more of Okayama, head to Toraiya for a taste of the prefecture’s local cuisine, like their kibi soba (buckwheat noodles made with locally grown takakibi) and chiya beef.
At nightfall, the historical quarter exudes a serene charm and feels even more like a scene from a bygone era—perfect for a post-dinner stroll back to our hotel.
9 pm: Recharging at a distinctive hotel with ample amenities
This room at the Royal Park Hotel was our home for the night. Clean and comfy despite its compact size, it was mostly typical of a mid-range hotel in Japan
What added a lovely local touch was its decor, which paid homage to Kurashiki’s history through elements like the artwork and denim cushion covers.
Our stay was sweetened with perks like sake tasting (chargeable after the first cup) and complimentary tea, coffee, and juices at a spacious lounge.
There’s also a billiard table, a small workout room and, best of all, an onsen for relaxing after a day of sightseeing (enough said, I know!).
The expansive city view from the terrace is another standout feature of the hotel. It’s a pity we didn’t have time for breakfast there; it would have been a beautiful backdrop to our final meal in Kurashiki!
#WoWa tip Book early! We reserved our stay for Summer 2024 five months in advance and paid about ¥10,000 (A$100)—amazing value considering the hotel’s amenities.
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