While walking through the Bikan Historical Area in Kurashiki or the townscape of Shimotsui, have you ever wondered, "What kind of story does this building hold?"
In the Takahashi River basin, there are four cities—Kurashiki City, Takahashi City, Soja City, and Kasaoka City—that have stories recognized as Japan Heritage. The cultural properties that shape each story are scattered throughout the entire basin.
You can actually enjoy touring these cultural properties through the "Takahashi River Basin Digital Stamp Rally - Let's Explore Japan Heritage Cultural Properties." It will be held until November 30, 2026 (Monday).
By collecting stamps, you can apply for prizes such as local specialties. Here’s an introduction to the event details.
This article is based on information provided by Kurashiki City in accordance with the "Comprehensive Partnership Agreement on Municipal Information Dissemination" with the Haretoco General Incorporated Association, and has been edited and published by the editorial department of Haretoco General Incorporated Association.
About the "Takahashi River Basin Digital Stamp Rally - Let's Explore Japan Heritage Cultural Properties"
The "Takahashi River Basin Digital Stamp Rally - Let's Explore Japan Heritage Cultural Properties" is a digital stamp rally that takes you around the cultural properties recognized as Japan Heritage in the four cities (Kurashiki City, Takahashi City, Soja City, and Kasaoka City) within the Takahashi River basin.
You can visit the sites and learn about the charm of each region's Japan Heritage stories.
The event will be held from September 1, 2026 (Tuesday) to November 30, 2026 (Monday), and participation is free.
How to Participate
- Scan the QR code in the flyer, answer a simple questionnaire on the displayed website, and review and agree to the terms of use.
- Check the map on the website to confirm the stamp rally target spots.
- Scan the QR code on the POP at the target spot or use the GPS function to obtain the stamp.
- Once you collect stamps and reach the designated points, apply for the prize you desire.
Prizes
Depending on the number of points collected, you can apply for the following prizes. All are through a lottery.
- A Prize (40 points; 1 person selected by lottery)
Kurashiki Afternoon Tea meal voucher, Fukiya product & experience full set, Soja large set, Kasaoka luxury set - B Prize (30 points; 1 person selected by lottery)
Textile product accessories, Fukiya product set, Soja medium set, Kasaoka compact box - C Prize (20 points; 2 people selected by lottery)
Washuzan Rest House meal voucher, bengara dyeing or bengara pottery experience voucher, Soja small set, Kasaoka gourmet set - D Prize (10 points; 3 people selected by lottery)
Tatami edge product accessories, Fukiya monaka drink set, Kofun coffee, Petit luxury Kasaoka box
Point Spots
There are a total of 50 spots across the four cities.
Kurashiki City (22 spots)
- Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan
- Ohashi House
- Inoue House
- Kusudo House
- Kojima Torajiro Memorial Gallery (former Kurashiki branch of Daiichi Godo Bank)
- Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office
- Kurashiki Ivy Square
- Takahashi River East-West Water Supply Facility
- Minki Isozaki Memorial Hall
- Yugasan Rendai-ji Temple
- Yuga Shrine Honmiya
- Nozaki's Historical Residence
- Shimotsui Shipping Agent Museum
- Tamashima Historical Folk and Marine Museum
- Old Yunoki House (Saiso-tei)
- Kurashiki Archaeological Museum
- Ohara Museum of Art
- Haguro Shrine
- Gion Shrine
- Tatetsuki Site
- Yata Otsuka Burial Mound
- Koi Kiku Shrine
Takahashi City (14 spots)
- Takahashi City Fukiya Traditional Buildings Preservation District
- Former Katayama House
- Fukiya Local Museum
- Former Hirokane House
- Bengara Museum
- Sabune Mine
- Yama Shrine Ruins
- Yama Shrine
- Enmei-ji Temple
- Do-ei-ji Temple
- Former Fukiya Elementary School Building
- Koshiore Jizo
- Takahashi City Library Tourist Information Center
- Takahashi City Tourist Parking Lot
Soja City (5 spots)
- Kinojo Castle
- Bichu Kokubun-ji Temple
- Kobori Tumulus
- Sakuyama Tumulus
- Tourist Information Center (inside Sunroad Kibiji)
Kasaoka City (9 spots)
- Kitagi granite quarry
- Manabe House
- Oishiyama
- Takashima
- Shiraishi-jima Island
- Former Movie Theater "Hikari Theater"
- O-Asuka Ruins
- Minato-Kobanashi (Kasaoka Port Passenger Ship Terminal)
- Kasaoka Bay Farm Roadside Station
A Word from the Kurashiki City Representative
Regarding the "Takahashi River Basin Digital Stamp Rally - Let's Explore Japan Heritage Cultural Properties," a representative from the Japan Heritage Promotion Office of Kurashiki City stated the following.
Representative
In the Takahashi River basin, each of the four cities has its own Japan Heritage story, and the cultural properties that shape them are scattered throughout the area. There is a significant difference between seeing photos and materials and actually standing in those places.
We hope this stamp rally will serve as a starting point for that. There may be places you usually pass by that are included as targets.
You can start right away if you have a smartphone, so please feel free to participate when you go out.
Contact Information
Kurashiki City Planning and Finance Bureau Planning and Finance Department Japan Heritage Promotion Office
〒710-8565 Kurashiki City Nishinakaida 640
Phone number: 086-426-3018
https://www.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp/culture/tourism/1002215/1026898.html
