Kurashiki

Archaeological Museum

倉敷考古館

Housed in a particularly lovely old rice warehouse, this museum has Japanese, Chinese, and even Incan artifacts on display.

Wed-Sun 09:00-17:00·¥400 adults, ¥250 students

Betty Smith Jeans Museum

ジーンズミュージアム

The Kojima area of Kurashiki is known throughout Japan for its high-quality jeans, and the museum displays items made in the factory and the history of Kojima jean production. You can also buy or order custom jeans.

Closed · opens 9 am

City Art Museum

倉敷市立美術館

Exhibits of work by artists from Kurashiki, with a focus on the renowned painter Yoson Ikeda (1895-1988). The building, designed by Kenzo Tange, is an odd attempt to reinterpret warehouses of the Bikan area in concrete.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·¥200 adults, ¥100 students

Entsuji Temple

円通寺 Entsū-ji

Entsuji Temple is famous as the site where the famous poet Priest Ryokan wrote many of his most famous poems. From the temple grounds, there is an impressive view of the factories in the Kojima area (which is quite beautiful, despite how it may sound), as well as the Seto Inland Sea. This temple is also the seventh temple along the Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage route.

Insect Museum

倉敷昆虫館

Local insects, pinned and displayed for your examination. It's about 10 minutes north of the Bikan area, though, so it's only worth seeking out for serious entomology fans.

Tue-Sat 14:00-17:00·Free

Japanese Folk Toy Museum

日本郷土玩具館

A collection of over 40,000 toys, although only 5,000 or so are generally on display. Most are show-pieces (and occasionally eerie ones at that), but there are some that kids can play with hands-on.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·¥300 adults, ¥200 teenagers, ¥100 kids

Kojima School Uniform Museum

児島学生服資料館

A museum showcasing the history of school uniforms and their development through the years. It's located here because the Kojima area produces a large percentage of the school uniforms worn nationwide.

Closed · opens 10 am·Free

Kojima Torajiro Memorial Hall

児島虎次郎記念館

Dedicated to the work of the Japanese artist who directed the acquisition of most of the Ohara Museum's collection.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·¥1300 adults (includes Ohara Museum admission)

Momotaro Museum

桃太郎のからくり博物館

With the figure of Momotaro outside and souvenirs sold inside, it is often mistaken by foreign tourists as just another shop and a cute photo-op, but this building is actually a "museum of mystery" dedicated to Momotaro, the Peach Boy. The museum features a variety of fun and interactive mind tricks that bear no real connection to the tale but are quite fun, especially for children. From there, prepare yourself for a walk through the dark lair of the ogres that Momotaro defeated before ascending the stairs to see some historical depictions of the tale and other items of nostalgia.

Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00·Adults ¥600, young students ¥400, children ¥100

Museum of Folkcraft

倉敷民藝館

Hosts excellent seasonal and permanent exhibitions of Japanese folk crafts. Even if you're not captivated by the subject matter, the space in which it's housed — three vintage structures connected by narrow corridors and old stairwells — is worth checking out.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 (Dec-Feb to 16:15)·¥700 adults, ¥400 students

Museum of Natural History

倉敷市立自然史博物館

Local flora, fauna, insects, and geology; the star attraction is a Naumann's Elephant, a giant prehistoric mammal from southern Japan.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:15·¥150 adults, ¥100 students

Nozaki House

旧野﨑家住宅

This building was constructed in 1833 as the home of Buzaemon Nozaki, a wealthy salt farmer. Not only can you roam about the residence, there are also storehouses on site that contain information and tools related to salt farming.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·¥500

Ohara Museum of Art

大原美術館 Ōhara bijutsukan

The first museum of Western art in Japan,it houses a deservedly renowned collection of classic European and American art, including major works by Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Matisse, and many others. There's another building for exhibitions by modern Japanese artists, which tend to be very good. Set aside some time to wander the grounds as well, with Rodin statues out front, a small sculpture garden out back, and neoclassical columns beatifically out of character with the rest of the area.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·¥1300 adults (includes Kojima Torajiro Memorial Hall admission). English audio guide for main hall ¥500

Ohashi House

大橋家住宅

If you've had it with ordinary merchants, visit the home of this family of retired samurai who went into business in Kurashiki.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·¥500 adults, ¥300 kids

Saisou-tei

西爽亭; Yunoki House

This is one of Kurashiki's true hidden gems. The Saisou-tei is where local clan leader, Kumata Ataka committed seppuku, which prevented a war from breaking out in the Tamashima area. What makes it so fascinating is that the building has been preserved so that the actual blood stains from the seppuku remain visible on the ceiling; a rare sight. When you enter, you will be given a short tour in Japanese only however, after reading this, you should be able to follow along and see what they are showing you when they point towards the ceiling.

Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·Free

Senichi Hoshino Museum

星野仙一記念館 Hoshino sen'ichi kinenkan

Kurashiki native Sen'ichi Hoshino (1947-2018) was a long-time pitcher and manager for the Chunichi Dragons of Japanese pro baseball noted for his open hatred of the Yomiuri Giants; later led the Hanshin Tigers and Rakuten Golden Eagles. This museum collects some of his memorabilia and career highlights.

Closed · opens 9:30 am·Adults ¥500, students ¥200

Shimotsui Castle Ruins

下津井城 Shimotsui-jō

Built as a fort in the late 16th century, it was expanded into a proper castle in 1603. It lasted until the one castle per province edict was implemented in 1639 when the castle was torn down. Today the ruins of some of the castle walls are all that remain. There is also a great view of the Inland Sea and Seto Ohashi Bridge from the castle grounds.

Shogi Master Oyama Memorial Museum

大山名人記念館

Yasuharu Oyama (1923-1992), also a Kurashiki native, was an eighteen time champion of shogi; upon his retirement, he was crowned the 15th Lifetime Meijin (Grand Master) of the game.

Thu-Tue 09:00-17:15, Fri 09:00-21:00·Free

Tsusenen Garden

通仙園

A garden that features over 3,000 azalea bushes that bloom during the spring. Like much of the area's attractions, there is also a great view of the Seto Inland Sea from the garden grounds.

Washuzan Hill

鷲羽山

A popular place for locals to picnic and relax while enjoying one of the best views of the Seto Ohashi Bridge and the Seto Inland Sea.

Free, and large free parking

Yugasan Rendai-ji

由加山蓮台寺

A unique complex composed of both a shrine and a temple. The torii gate is made of Bizen pottery. The shrine is a sister shrine to the famous Konpirasan in Kotohira. It is also the 6th temple along the Chugoku Pilgrimage Route.

Yumiko Igarashi Museum

いがらしゆみこ美術館

Memorabilia and artwork from Candy Candy, one of the most popular manga among Japanese girls and a cult favorite overseas. (There is, however, no actual candy here.).

Closed · opens 9 am·¥600 adults, ¥400 students