When we think of autumn, we might think of “autumn for the arts” or “autumn for food.”
A perfect event for autumn is “Art de Furatto Kurashiki 2023.”
Kurashiki has strong ties to art, led by the Ohara Museum of Art.
In fact, the Bikan Historical Area isn’t the only place to enjoy art.
There are many places to enjoy art throughout Kurashiki City, including Kojima, Tamashima, Mabi, and Mizushima.
But it can take a little courage to visit an art museum or gallery for the first time.
Now in its fourth year in 2023, this event encourages you to take the first step toward experiencing Kurashiki’s art through sweets and puzzle-solving.
As someone who loves sweets and often visits cafes around Kurashiki, I went around art spots and sweets spots.
The information provided was current when this article was published in November 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Art de Furatto Kurashiki?
Art de Furatto Kurashiki is a campaign organized by the “Art City Kurashiki” Executive Committee.
It began in 2019. Although it was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it resumed in 2022, making 2023 its fourth year.
The event runs from Tuesday, October 3, to Thursday, November 30, 2023.
Solve puzzles at “art spots,” where you can enjoy art during the event, and earn points by eating a participating sweet at a “sweets spot,” where you can savor sweets inspired by works in the Ohara Museum of Art’s collection.
Collect points and enter for a chance to win fabulous prizes related to Kurashiki.
The biggest difference from previous years, up to 2022, is that puzzle-solving has been added.
Even if you think art is a little intimidating, we recommend starting by going along to enjoy the puzzles.
Visit art spots and sweets spots
There are as many as 25 participating art spots and 16 sweets spots.
The participating spots are as follows.
- Ohara Museum of Art
- Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts Kake Museum of Art
- Kurashiki City Art Museum
- Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft
- Kibibi Museum
- Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel
- Lagarto Plus
- MAGO GALARRY KURASHIKI (Mago Gallery Kurashiki)
- Cafe & Gallery Aoi Tori
- Gallery Merino
- Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan
- Ohara House Katalyzer
- Machiya Space VOMN (Von)
- UKIYO-E KURASHIKI/KUNIYOSHI
- Art Space Jiji
- Yumiko Igarashi Museum
- Igusaya Hanamushiro
- Kurashiki Ivy Square
- Kurashiki City Minki Isozaki Memorial Hall
- Nozaki's Historical Residence
- Kojima Civic Exchange Center
- Yumi Kobo
- Old Yunoki House (Saiso-tei)
- Mabi Showa-kan Second Exhibition Hall Gallery Yugen
- Mabi Showa-kan
Some spots charge admission. Please check their websites and other sources.
| Sweets spot | Participating sweet |
|---|---|
| Future Hyaku Cafe | Cezanne-style Jelly Punch Float, Bathers |
| Sweets cafe & bar Moon grace | Apple and Mont Blanc Parfait |
| Niwa to Bungaku | Bounty of the Earth |
| Kimuraya | Sleeping Young Model |
| coffee&more Scarecrow | A Plate of Apples |
| QINOCO | Adult Matters |
| Kashi Kobo Kano Mori | Caramel Pomme |
| Bunkindo | Morning Glory |
| La Pâtisserie Piaget | Water Lilies |
| Okashi Kiyomasa-do | Sleep of the Lotus |
| Tea Room aura | Landscape with Milon Plate |
| patisserie ALBa | Haystacks |
| Pâtisserie La Biche | Japanese-Style Miserable |
| Mark Ole Cafe | Modigliani Cake Parfait |
| Okashi Tsukasa Tamaido | Canal at Auvers |
| CAFE & DINING GLITTER | Dancers’ Tea Time Set |
A distinctive feature is that spots are located not only in the Bikan Historical Area and around JR Kurashiki Station, but also across a wide area of Kurashiki City, including Kojima, Tamashima, Mizushima, and Mabi.
You can enjoy art whether you rarely get the chance to visit central Kurashiki or would like to use this opportunity to explore areas beyond the city center.
Get a pamphlet
First, get a pamphlet.
Pamphlets are available at art facilities, restaurants, tourist information offices and tourist facilities in Kurashiki City, and JR Kurashiki Station.
You can also download the PDF from the website and print it out.
Art in a hotel!? Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel
I started by visiting some of the art spots.
The first spot was Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel.
Even if you think, “I’m not staying at the hotel, so I might feel out of place,” there’s no need to worry.
They said that visitors who aren’t staying overnight but want to solve the puzzles are also very welcome.
In the lobby of Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel, works by Munakata Shiko greet visitors with their striking presence.
I’d never thought of hotels as being connected with art, but this event gave me the chance to take a close look at the works.
It’s not just about staying overnight or dining; letting your thoughts wander—“What is happening here?” or “What is this work trying to express?”—is another way to enjoy Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel.
Art nestled among Japan Heritage exhibits: Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan
The next spot is Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan.
Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan is strongly associated with exhibits about Kurashiki’s Japan Heritage, but you can actually enjoy art here, too.
I found it right away.
Let’s try solving the puzzle at Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan, too.
I’ve visited Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan many times, but had never looked at it with art in mind.
I was able to focus on the artistic technique, thinking, “Was it painted with such delicate strokes? The gentle colors, which aren’t too bright, are so appealing.”
Dive into the words: Ohara House Katalyzer
When it comes to the Ohara family and art, the first thing that comes to mind is the Ohara Museum of Art.
However, you can also enjoy art at Ohara House Katalyzer, across the street.
This is a paid facility, so you’ll need to pay the admission fee before entering.
Just inside the building, you’ll find word art.
Apparently, many people stand in the middle to take photos.
Taking in the work while reflecting on the weight of each word made it feel even more powerful.
Water Lilies turned into sweets!? La Pâtisserie Piaget
Next, let’s visit a sweet spot.
La Pâtisserie Piaget in Shimonomachi, Kojima.
Here, you can enjoy sweets inspired by Claude Monet’s Water Lilies.
A replica of Water Lilies is also displayed inside the shop.
▼Here is the featured sweet, Water Lilies.
Its appearance recreates the colors and atmosphere of the painting “Water Lilies”.
▼Here it is from above.
Now, let’s give it a try.
As soon as you take a bite, the sweetness of white chocolate and the tartness of raspberry come together.
When you bite into it, there are all kinds of textures: not only the light, fluffy mousse, but also the crisp yet moist rice puffs and crumble base, and the crunchy pearl croquant.
At first, I expected the crumble to have the crisp texture of biscuit dough, but its unusual combination of crispness and moistness was a delightful surprise.
As it turns out, the crumble is made by setting chocolate-flavored white bean paste.
There’s another detail inspired by Water Lilies.
A creme brulee made with extract from lotus leaves grown in Okayama Prefecture is enclosed inside.
Learning about the maker’s care and attention hidden behind not only the appearance and flavor, but also the creation itself, made it even more delicious. I strongly felt that this is a charm it shares with art.
Enter once you’ve collected enough points
Once you’ve collected enough points, mail in your postcard to enter.
Dedicated entry boxes are available at three locations: Kurashikikan (tourist information office), Kurashiki City Tourist Rest Area, and the Kurashiki Ekimae Tourist Information Office.
If you enter using one of the entry boxes, you don’t need to affix a stamp.
Of course, you can also affix a 63-yen stamp and mail it in a postbox.
The chance to win fabulous prizes in a drawing is another highlight of this event.
Winners can receive prizes such as a pair of overnight-stay vouchers for Kura Tsuchiya-tei, a storehouse inn overlooking the Kurashiki River, glass products made by Yukiko Nakano, and assortments of local specialties.
I dropped my entry into the dedicated box, wishing, “I hope I win.”
So, how did Art de Furatto Kurashiki come about?
We interviewed Utagawa Kazuki of the Kurashiki City Tourism Division, which organizes the stamp rally.
Art de Furatto Kurashiki 2023 Information
| Name | Art de Furatto Kurashiki 2023 |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 3, 2023–November 30, 2023 |
| Locations | Kurashiki, Kojima, Mizushima, Tamashima, Mabi |
| Admission (tax included) | Varies according to facility admission fees |
| Website | Art de Furatto Kurashiki 2023 |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
