The Bikan District, Kurashiki

Classic 17th century buildings in a picturesque town

Ben Beechey Jul 24, 2012 - 1 min read

Taking a boat along the river is a great way to take in the sights of the Bikan district

The Bikan district is known for its traditional buildings with their distinctive white walls and black tiles

A typical side street in the Bikan district

The gate to a shrine in the Bikan district

The Bikan district is a popular destination for Japanese people who want to connect to their historical roots

A couple enjoying their wedding day in the Bikan district of Kurashiki

All along the river you can find local artists painting the scenes and chatting with passers by

The river is so picturesque and peaceful

There are many open houses giving you a glimpse of traditional living in Japan

An Udon noodle restaurant along the riverside

A restaurant shows its menu on the walls of the building

A local sweet maker prepares his pastry for the day

Local sake for sale—all of the bottle labels were painted by local artists

This mask museum has a collection of masks dating back many years, and includes many Japanese folk tale characters

The Bikan district is a part Kurashiki city (倉敷市), a historic city located in the west of Okayama Prefecture. The city itself has a long history associated with feuds between different clans. It was a thriving river port during the Edo period, a time when many distinctive white-walled, black-tiled warehouses were built to store goods. The Bikan area contains many fine examples of these 17th century wooden warehouses, along a picturesque canal surrounded by weeping willows and filled with koi carp. The locals of this part of the city have worked very hard to maintain the traditional feel of the Edo era.

More info

Find out more about Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.

Ben Beechey @ben.beechey

I moved to Japan in late 2007 and lived in the beautiful mountainous setting of Nagano-ken for two very fun years. Although the scenery in Nagano was stunning and the snowboarding conditions second to none, I decided to try life in the fast lane and moved to Tokyo in 2009. I have been in Tokyo si...