【Until 9/27 (Sun)】The 44th Heartland Kurashiki Autumn - Enjoy the light festival in the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki, adorned with projection mapping and fantastical lights.

The night in the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki is a place where you can enjoy tranquility, accompanied by soft landscape lighting. Some people may prefer to visit at night because they love that calm atmosphere.

However, several night events are held a few times a year.
One such event is the 44th Heartland Kurashiki Autumn, which will illuminate the Bikan Historical Area with projection mapping and fantastical lights this year.

We would like to introduce the 44th Heartland Kurashiki Autumn, which will be held from September 18 (Friday) to 27 (Sunday), 2026.

What is Heartland Kurashiki?

The "Heartland Kurashiki" event started in 1981.
Originally, it was an event held during the Golden Week, featuring activities such as kawabune nagashi (river boat floating) during the day, but it was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2022, in order to avoid crowds and encourage enjoyment in a more dispersed manner, as well as to connect night stays to accommodations, the event has restarted as a light-up event primarily held on relatively less crowded nights in August. However, due to recent extreme heat, the timing has been shifted to around the end of September.

Currently, it is held twice a year in spring and autumn, with the spring event in 2026 (April 25 and 26) featuring river boat floating by Kurashiki Komachi.

The upcoming 44th Heartland Kurashiki Autumn will be held from September 18 (Friday) to 27 (Sunday), 2026, at the Bikan Historical Area (including Kurashiki Ivy Square, Kurashiki River, Shinkei-en Garden, and Kurashiki SOLA).

The theme is "The Town of White Walls: A Feast of Light Invited by the Autumn Breeze".
The event content varies by day. Please check the images below for details.

Interview with Mr. Tatsuya Suwaki from the Kurashiki City Tourism Division

We spoke with Mr. Tatsuya Suwaki from the Kurashiki City Tourism Division about Heartland Kurashiki.

Could you tell us the intention behind the Heartland Kurashiki Autumn project?

Suwaki (no honorifics)

Heartland Kurashiki Autumn is, to put it simply, a night light-up event.

The Bikan Historical Area is usually a place where people can enjoy tranquility with landscape lighting at night. However, during this period, we change the atmosphere to create a special event that incorporates the splendor of projection mapping amidst the tranquility.

Heartland Kurashiki was originally an event to welcome visitors during the Golden Week. After the pandemic, we transformed it into an event that can be enjoyed in less crowded areas.

Additionally, we wanted to encourage overnight stays, so we held it on the nights of August, which is a slow season, but in recent years, August has been too hot even at night.

For this reason, we have shifted the timing to around the end of September.

Could you tell us about the highlights or points of interest for this event?

Suwaki

Unlike last year (2025), the venue does not include Kurashiki Ivy Square.

Instead, we are focusing on projection mapping.
Last year, the content centered around Kurashiki's local products and seasons, but this time we have changed the taste to highlight the charm of projection mapping itself.

While Kurashiki elements will not be completely absent, we are emphasizing that aspect in the production, so I believe visitors will enjoy a different atmosphere than before.

Another highlight is the thread art at Kurashiki SOLA. This concept uses thread for art, reflecting Kurashiki's identity as a textile town.

Please give a message to the readers.

Suwaki

Due to parking issues, local residents may not have many opportunities to visit the Bikan Historical Area. However, I believe this event is a chance for locals to see it and rediscover its charm.

The event will last for 10 days, so I hope you can visit even for just one day.

Conclusion

In recent years, extreme heat has made it difficult to walk outside during the day in summer. Perhaps because of this, the Bikan Historical Area has taken on a "quiet season" atmosphere in summer.

Originally, "Night Heartland Kurashiki" was started as a measure against the spread of COVID-19, but now it seems to have become an event that matches the times in a way.

As September has arrived, the heat has begun to ease a bit.
Why not enjoy the evening coolness and visit the 44th Heartland Kurashiki Autumn?

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