Kurashiki, known as the city of merchants and also the city of white walls, features one of the most beautifully restored historic districts in Japan. Its white-walled storehouses and merchant houses dating from the Edo period (1603-1867) are set along the willow-lined banks of the Kurashiki River. For centuries, the town prospered as a port on the Inland Sea and was a major transportation hub. Today, visitors stroll along the old stone-paved streets and enjoy the preserved landing steps and streetlights that still distinguish the old shipping port.

Later, during the Meiji period (1867-1911), local merchants made various efforts to modernize Kurashiki. The Ohara family, having made its fortune in the textile industry by taking advantage of the efficient canal transport along the river, founded an art museum and made various contributions to the cultural development of the city. The family also built Western-style houses along the river that complement the traditional Japanese storehouses and add to the overall appeal of the town.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Kurashiki is that its architectural heritage has survived some 400 years, untouched by either natural disaster or war. The proactive efforts of the city's forefathers, deeply aware of the cultural value of the buildings, and the community's love for its city and enthusiasm for preservation, have made it all possible.

Links to More Information about Kurashiki:

Official Kurashiki Tourist Website

Information on Kurashiki from Japan National Tourist Bureau (JNTO) [PDF]

(Photo Credits: Sekai Bunka Photo)