Through Sunday, September 27: 44th Heartland Kurashiki Autumn ～ Enjoy a dazzling celebration of light in the Bikan Historical Area, illuminated by projection mapping and enchanting lights

At night, the Bikan Historical Area is usually a place to enjoy the quiet atmosphere alongside its soft landscape lighting. Some people may even choose to visit at night because they love its peaceful ambience.

However, a few times a year, nighttime events are held.
“Heartland Kurashiki Autumn, 44th Edition” is one such event. This year, projection mapping and fantastical lights will illuminate the Bikan Historical Area.

Here is an introduction to “Heartland Kurashiki Autumn, 44th Edition,” held from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 27, 2026.

What Is Heartland Kurashiki?

Heartland Kurashiki is an event that began in 1981.
Originally, it was held during Golden Week, with daytime activities such as boat rides on the river, but it was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting in 2022, it was relaunched as an event centered on illuminations on summer nights in August, when crowds are relatively small, with the aim of avoiding congestion and encouraging visitors to extend their stay into the evening and stay overnight. However, in response to the extreme heat in recent years, the event has gradually been moved to around the end of September.

It is now held twice a year, in spring and autumn. In spring 2026 (April 25 and 26), Kurashiki Komachi performed boat rides on the river.

This year’s “44th Heartland Kurashiki Autumn” will be held from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 27, 2026, at venues in the Bikan Historical Area (Kurashikikan, Kurashiki River, Shinkei-en Garden, and Kurashiki SOLA).

The theme is “A town of white walls: a feast of light beckoned by the autumn breeze.”
Events vary by day. Please see the images below for details.

Interview with Suwaki of the Kurashiki City Tourism Division

We asked Suwaki Tatsuya of the Kurashiki City Tourism Division about Heartland Kurashiki.

Could you tell us the purpose behind the Heartland Kurashiki Autumn event?

Suwaki (honorific omitted)

Simply put, Heartland Kurashiki Autumn is a nighttime illumination event.

At night, the Bikan Historical Area is usually a place where visitors can enjoy the quiet atmosphere and landscape lighting. During this event, however, we change the mood, adding a festive touch to the tranquility with projection mapping and other attractions to create a special experience.

Heartland Kurashiki was originally an event held during Golden Week that also served to welcome visitors. After the pandemic, we changed it into an event that people could enjoy away from the crowds, in a less busy period.

We also held it on August evenings, during the off-season, because we hoped that visitors would stay overnight after spending the evening here. But in recent years, August has been too hot, even at night.

That is why the event has gradually been moved to around the end of September.

What are the highlights this year, and what should visitors look out for?

Suwaki

Unlike last year (2025) and previous years, Kurashiki Ivy Square is not included in the event venue.

Instead, we are putting more effort into projection mapping.
Until last year, the content focused on things associated with Kurashiki, such as local specialties and the four seasons. This time, we have changed the style and put the appeal of projection mapping itself front and center.

Kurashiki elements have not disappeared entirely, but we have focused on this new approach in creating the show, so I think visitors will enjoy an atmosphere unlike anything they have seen before.

Another highlight is the string art at Kurashiki SOLA. Inspired by Kurashiki’s history as a textile town, it is an art installation made using thread.

Do you have a message for our readers?

Suwaki

Because of factors such as parking, local residents may not have many opportunities to visit the Bikan Historical Area. But I think this event is a chance for local people in particular to see it and rediscover its appeal.

The event runs for 10 days, so I hope you’ll come by, even if just for one of them.

From the Writer

In recent years, extreme summer heat has made it difficult to walk around outdoors during the day. Perhaps as a result, summer feels like the off-season even in the Bikan Historical Area.

“Nighttime Heartland Kurashiki” originally began as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but it now seems to have become an event that, in a way, suits the times.

September has arrived, and the heat has eased a little.
Why not visit “Heartland Kurashiki Autumn, 44th Edition” and enjoy a cool evening?

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