On Honmachi Street in the Bikan Historical Area, there is the Eritate Hat Factory Kurashiki Honmachi Store, which handles 400 types of seasonal hats throughout the year.
All hats made in factories within Okayama Prefecture are original products. The hats, born from a pursuit of design and comfort, are supported by hat-making techniques that have continued since 1960.
We interviewed about their passion for hat making.
The information provided is from an article published in July 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Eritate Hat Factory Kurashiki Honmachi Store on Honmachi Street
When you think of the Bikan Historical Area, you imagine the willows lining the Kurashiki River and the white-walled streets.
However, if you go one block north from the Kurashiki River, you will find Honmachi Street, where traditional townscapes remain.
As you walk past renovated townhouses that house Kurashiki canvas bag shops and jazz cafes, you will see a store with hats displayed through glass doors. This is the Eritate Hat Factory Kurashiki Honmachi Store.
Eritate Hat Factory started producing straw hats in 1960 and now manufactures and sells its own original hats.
A store full of hats
Once inside, you see hats everywhere... Hats, hats, hats...
The store is filled with hats made by skilled staff using sewing machines. Hearing that they have over 400 types of hats available is quite surprising.
Upon closer inspection, you will notice hat designs that you won't find in other stores.
Eritate Hat Factory operates under the belief that design advances technology. First, designers create ideas, and then they consider how to make them. Even hats that seem ordinary at first glance have details like wavy brims or pleats that show their dedication to craftsmanship.
You might find a special hat that you can only encounter here.
Introducing unique hats
At Eritate Hat Factory, many hats are lined up. Here are some of the featured items.
A braid hat that can be stored in a bag
First, we have the classic braid hat.
Braid refers to materials made by weaving fibers such as hemp into a cord-like shape. A braid hat is made by sewing tape-like braids together into a hat shape.
A straw hat made from braid is called a straw hat, and Okayama Prefecture was once a production area for straw hats. In Kamogata (present-day Kamogata-cho, Asakuchi City), known for its production of somen and udon noodles, wheat has been cultivated for a long time, and hats were also produced using that wheat.
What makes the "braid hat that can be stored in a bag" unique is the fabric switch at the top. Instead of just attaching fabric to the hat, it is sewn together. This method requires skill and is unique to Eritate Hat Factory, which makes hats by hand.
Additionally, the main part uses a softer paper material than traditional wheat, allowing it to be folded. It is convenient to store it in a bag after taking off the hat indoors.
A stylish braid hat with a patterned underside
A hat with fabric sewn on the underside of the brim.
Hats with fabric on the inside are not commonly seen.
It is recommended to wear it by folding the tip of the brim to reveal the pattern. Additionally, having fabric helps block sunlight, providing sun protection. It seems to match well with a light, natural-looking dress.
A wide selection of men's hats
At Eritate Hat Factory, there is a rich selection of men's hats as well.
What surprises about men's hats is the variety of fabrics. Even the same bucket hat shape can look completely different with different materials.
With a wide variety available for both ladies and men, it seems that couples often visit the store together to make purchases.
The bucket hat, popular among men, is part of the ROUBOU series.
In Okayama, straw hats were once referred to as "roubou," which means "worker's hat." The ROUBOU series is named after this term. They offer hats made from durable materials, including denim from Ibara City, that can be used for a long time.
Buying a unique hat from here as a travel memory is also a wonderful idea.
At Eritate Hat Factory, where unique hats are lined up, there is a strong passion from CEO Shigeki Eritate behind the hat-making process. We interviewed him about his thoughts.
Data on Eritate Hat Factory Kurashiki Honmachi Store
| Name | Eritate Hat Factory Kurashiki Honmachi Store |
|---|---|
| Address | 11-26 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-6544 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | Weekdays: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Weekends and Holidays: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Closed | Tuesday, Wednesday |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Eritate Hat Factory |
