If you plan on traveling across Japan, you absolutely cannot miss this hidden gem: Kurashiki! This little town is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. It was so quiet, and doesn’t seem to be known by many other tourists. With a picturesque canal running right through the historical district, this place is beautiful any time of the year.
I heard about this place while doing research for my trip across Japan last year, and haven’t seen many other people talking about it. So, I made this Kurashiki guide for you to help you plan out your own trip to this incredible town.
And if you’re traveling all over Japan, be sure to check out my travel tips here and my 2-week Japan itinerary guide here!
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The Best Time to Visit Kurashiki, Japan
Japan experiences four distinct seasons, each with its own charm and reasons to visit:
- Spring (March to May): This is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Japan, with the peak season in Kurashiki typically from mid to late-March. While beautiful, it’s also the most crowded and expensive time to visit.
- Summer (June to August): Summer is a good time for festivals and hiking, but be prepared for hot and humid weather. If there’s an off-season in Japan, this is it.
- Autumn (September to November): This is the best time to visit Japan for fall foliage, with pleasant temperatures and stunning backdrops. Mid-November to early December is the peak time in Kurashiki. It’s also popular, like cherry blossom season, so expect more crowds, but not as many as in spring.
- Winter (December to February): Winter is perfect for snow festivals, skiing, and enjoying the outdoor onsen (hot springs). While you won’t find many winter sports in the city, there are plenty of options within a couple of hours’ train ride north.
Overall, the best time to travel to Kurashiki (and Japan in general) is from October to May. For fewer crowds and good weather, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons in late spring or early autumn. Kurashiki may not be as popular with foreign tourists yet, but it’s quite popular with local tourists.
If you’re traveling beyond Kurashiki, keep in mind that climate can vary significantly between regions, with Hokkaido in the north being much cooler than subtropical Okinawa in the south.
How to Get to Kurashiki
While Kurashiki doesn’t have its own airport, there are three international airports in nearby cities. The closest is Okayama Momotaro Airport, about a 40-minute drive or 1.5-hours by public transport. The next closest is Hiroshima Airport, about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car or 2.5 hours by train.
However, you’ll find less flight options at those airports as well as higher prices. The best option is likely Kansai International Airport in Osaka. You’ll need to take a 2.5-hour train ride with a few transfers to get from Osaka to Kurashiki.
If you’re traveling around Japan, you’ll likely pass right by Kurashiki on your way from Tokyo to the south of Japan. So, why not stop and stay a while!
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How to Fight Off Jetlag
You’re likely going to be dealing with a significant time difference when you land in Japan. If you struggle with jetlag, I’ve got some great tips for you:
- Slowly adjust your sleep schedule leading up to your trip. This sunrise simulator alarm clock can help you get up more easily when it’s darker in the mornings.
- Take a nap on the plane if you’ll be arriving earlier in the day (this memory foam neck pillow, sleep mask, and ear plugs are great for this). If you’re arriving later in the day, try to stay awake for at least the second half of the flight.
- Pack little snacks to munch on between meals to keep your energy up (and the hanger away!). You can also buy tasty snacks at the local stores or markets while you’re there. These reusable bags are great to use for travel and on-the-go!
How to Get Around Kurashiki
You can very easily walk all around the Historical Bikan District of Kurashiki, which is where you’ll likely spend most of your time. Make sure you wear comfy sneakers or sandals that are easy to walk in!
In general, public transportation in Japan is very efficient and reliable, and is a great way to travel from city to city and to get around each city. Ubers and taxis are also available in most places, but can be expensive, especially during late-night and peak hours.
The Shinkansen (bullet train) is really cool and a great way to travel between cities across Japan. For easy payment on public transport, get a rechargeable IC card like SUICA or PASMO, which can also be used for purchases at konbini (convenience stores).
How to Navigate Public Transportation
Navigating Japan’s public transport system can be scary at first, but understanding how to use your tickets and IC cards is key to a smooth journey. For Shinkansen travel, you’ll typically receive two tickets: a passenger ticket and an express ticket. Both must be inserted simultaneously into the entrance gate at the start and end of your trip.
At entry, the machine returns both tickets, but at exit, it keeps them. If you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to ask the friendly station staff. Your passenger ticket lists your car and seat numbers, and platform signs guide you to the correct boarding areas. Orderly queuing is VERY important in Japanese culture, so pay attention to these signs.
For local travel, SUICA, PASMO, and other IC cards can be easily swiped at the entrance and exit to every subway station. I added my SUICA card directly to my phone, which made tapping in and out of the subway and adding funds incredibly easy.
Check out my other post on Japan travel tips for more info on navigating the trains, subways, and buses.
Where to Stay in Kurashiki
Choosing where to stay in Kurashiki depends on your budget. You’ll definitely want to stay close to the Historical Bikan District, but it’s fine if you stay a couple blocks away. Here are the different types of accommodations you can find in Kurashiki:
- Hotels: From Western-style to traditional Japanese-style.
- Ryokans: Traditional Japanese inns offering a cultural experience with tatami rooms, often with onsen access and kaiseki (set, multi-course) meals.
- Minshuku: Family-run guesthouses (bed-and-breakfast style), typically more budget-friendly than ryokans.
- Hostels: Ideal for budget travelers and those seeking a social atmosphere.
For a truly authentic cultural experience, I recommend spending at least a couple of nights in an onsen hotel or ryokan. Your whole stay is an experience to enjoy and relax rather than just a place to rest your head at night.
A few notes about booking accommodations in Japan:
- Not all hotels have air conditioning available year-round. I visited in the fall, and they had already switched the central air to heating instead of cooling, even when the weather wasn’t that cold yet. You can ask the front desk for a mini fan to use during your stay.
- Always check if you’re booking a traditional-style or a Western-style room. Many traditional rooms include tatami mats on the floor, which are actually more comfortable than they sound.
- If you have tattoos, you may not be able to visit most onsen as they are still considered taboo. In that case, look for hotels with a private onsen.
Hotels in Kurashiki
As I mentioned, you’ll want to stay either in or close to the Bikan Historical Quarter. There are plenty of hotel options around here for all different budgets, from 1 to 4 stars.
We stayed two nights at the The OneFive Garden Kurashiki, a great hotel with sizeable rooms that’s very close to the historical quarter. It was an easy 5-to-7-minute walk to get to the top of the canal from the hotel.
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Other Accommodation Options
If you prefer short-term rentals, VRBO has some options in Kurashiki. You’ll have more space and privacy, and it’s often more affordable than hotels for longer stays or group travel. There aren’t as many options as the larger cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, so book as early as you can.
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Things to Do in Kurashiki, Japan
It may be a smaller town, but there are still some amazing things to do in Kurashiki, from wandering the canal in the historical quarter and admiring the seasonal foliage to exploring the museums and learning to make pottery. Expect your time here to be peaceful, with a slower pace than in cities like Tokyo or Kyoto.
You can easily explore the Bikan Historical Quarter in 2 days. If you have more time, consider going further south to the coast and wandering the seaside area.
Wander the Canal & the Bikan Historical District
The main draw in Kurashiki is the Bikan Historical District, which is absolutely gorgeous! There’s a picturesque canal running through the center of it, lined with historical buildings that hold shops, restaurants, and museums. Wander in and out of the shops, take a boat ride on the canal, and admire the seasonal foliage.
Kurashiki Ivy Square is just off the canal and is known for having beautiful autumn-colored ivy leaves. They can also be quite nice in spring and summer, too, when the ivy is in full bloom.
Go Stargazing at the Observatory
Just a 5-minute walk from the canal is the Kurashiki Observatory, where you can book a star-gazing experience. The night we did this, it was too cloudy to see anything but the moon through the telescope, but our guide was so nice. He told us all about the history of the observatory and showed us the older telescopes in the old observatory building.
I highly recommend booking this, but be sure to check the forecast.
Visit Kanryu Temple and Achi Shrine
It’s well worth a short walk up some stairs to Kanryu Temple and Achi Shrine for incredible views of the city. There are actually several temples and shrines on this hilltop, so give yourself at least an hour to explore them.
If you’re visiting in springtime, there is a huge wisteria vine that blooms in various shades of pink. Around mid-April, they have a special festival to celebrate the wisteria blooming.
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Explore the Museums
There are quite a few museums in Kurashiki, but the most popular and well-known one is the Ōhara Museum of Art. Opened in 1930, it’s Japan’s oldest private museum with French sculptures & modern Japanese paintings. There’s also the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Folkcraft, several art museums, and a Folk Toy Museum.
There are some whimsical museums, too, like the Piggybank Museum and Momotaro’s Karakuri Museum, dedicated to a famous character from Japanese folklore.
Go Shopping
Kurashiki has a ton of shops that are great for buying authentic souvenirs. This area of Japan is well known for its longtime tradition of making denim, so be sure to shop for some high-quality denim. They even have a “denim street” right off the canal. It’s also a great place to shop for bizen ware, including plate, bowls, sake cups, vases, and more.
Make Pottery & Other Crafts
One of my favorite activities of the whole Japan trip was making pottery in Kurashiki! I went to Atelier & Gallery to learn how to make my very own sake cups. Yoshihiro-San, the owner and artist, was very nice and patient with me. He kept the cups I made to glaze them and finish the process, which took several months. (I got my sake cups in the mail about 3 months after the trip, and they look great!)
There are also places where you can make your own denim, hand dye igusa mats or hand weave your own mat, and make “Sakura Light” lanterns. What better souvenir than one you made yourself!
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What & Where to Eat in Kurashiki, Japan
Japanese cuisine is a huge reason many tourists visit Japan, with diverse flavors and culinary experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. Don’t miss out on trying some amazing foods such as sushi, ramen, kara-age (fried chicken), tempura, udon/soba, curry rice, yakitori, and okonomiyaki (to name a few). And, of course, you have to drink some sake and matcha, too.
Use the Tabelog app to find places to eat based on local reviews rather than Google Maps. The rating system is stricter, so a 3.5-star rating can be equivalent to a 5-star rating on Yelp or TripAdvisor. Don’t miss out on a fantastic restaurant because you think it has a “bad” rating!
In Kurashiki, be sure to try some of the denim-themed foods and desserts in honor of their history of making denim! There are a ton of fantastic local restaurants here, so if you don’t have a lot of time, you might want to go on a food tour.
Here are some of my favorite spots to eat and drink in Kurashiki, Japan:
- 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson (everywhere!)
- Kurashiki Ramen Masuya
- Inter Bridge Sake
- Trattoria Musica
- Onishi (soba and udon)
- Suiyobi Sake Bar
More Tips for Visiting Kurashiki
Learn Some Japanese Phrases Before You Go
Before your trip, try to learn some Japanese to help you order food, ask for directions, and buy things in the shops run by locals who don’t speak a lot of English. In general, it’s considered good etiquette to make an effort at the local language, no matter where you travel.
If you’d like to learn more of the language, including how to read Japanese characters like kanji and hiragana, start learning now with Rosetta Stone!
Currency & Cash
Japan’s currency is the yen (¥). While credit card acceptance is increasing, many places prefer cash, and some won’t take credit cards at all, especially outside major cities. ATMs accepting foreign cards can be found at most 7-Eleven stores and Japan Post offices. When withdrawing cash or paying by card, always select the local currency, NOT your home currency!
It’s always a good idea to have small bills (10 yen and 100 yen coins, as well as 1,000 yen notes), as many ticket and vending machines will not accept larger ones (especially 5,000 and 10,000 yen bills). I recommend getting a coin purse to keep track of all the coins you’ll get back as change!
On another note, tipping is not customary in Japan and can sometimes be considered rude. Excellent service is the norm and is not expected to be rewarded with extra payment. Some tour guides do appreciate tips, but it’s best to ask first. And always hand over (or accept) money with two hands.
If you’re planning a trip across Japan, check out my other post on my 2-week Japan itinerary. It includes Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and more!
Bring a Credit Card with Travel Perks
I always travel with one or more of my favorite credit cards for travel perks. I typically look for things like low or no foreign transaction fees, discounts on airport lounge access, and VIP customer service for booking exclusive events and experiences.
And, of course, I want one that has an amazing earning system that allows me to get points or miles with every purchase. I’ve saved thousands of dollars on flights and hotels using travel credit cards like these!
Check with your credit card company before you go to see what kind of foreign transaction fees they charge. And be sure to let them know when and where you’ll be, so your card isn’t declined for making a foreign purchase.
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Ready to book your trip to Kurashiki, Japan?
Hopefully, this Kurashiki guide gave you some good ideas for your own adventure! If you plan on venturing outside of the “big three” cities (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka), then Kurashiki should definitely be on your list.
Have a fantastic time in Japan and then come back and let me know your favorite spots in the comments below!
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