Where are the restrooms around the Bikan Historical Area? Introducing 18 restrooms!

Have you ever been in a situation while walking around the city for sightseeing, where suddenly a child says, "I need to go to the bathroom!" and you panic, wondering where the nearest restroom is?

Parents raising children, of course, may have experienced this, as well as when they were children themselves.

You want to enjoy sightseeing at a leisurely pace, but it can be troublesome if you suddenly need to go to the bathroom.

Adults can also be struck by sudden health issues.

That’s why it’s important to know the locations of restrooms at tourist spots.

So, here’s a summary of the restrooms around the Bikan Historical Area in Kurashiki!

Please use this as a reference when sightseeing in Kurashiki.

Recommended Restrooms by Purpose in the Bikan Historical Area

There are various types of restrooms with different features, cleanliness, and conditions.

Therefore, I will introduce recommended restrooms based on purpose.

Emergency! Finding a Nearby Restroom

Let’s introduce a map of locations with restrooms around the Bikan Historical Area.

By pressing the "Restroom Icon" on the map, Google Maps will open.

If you are in a hurry, please use this map to find the nearest restroom.

Additionally, there may be other conditions you would like, such as needing a diaper changing table or a baby chair.

After the map introduction, I have summarized "Recommended Restroom Information by Situation," so please continue reading.

▼ Here is a map summarizing the restrooms around the Bikan Historical Area (Google Maps).

Restrooms around the Bikan Historical Area – Google My Maps

Google My Maps

▼ I have also prepared an illustrated map.

Restrooms with Diaper Changing Tables

Babies cannot adjust their timing for bathroom needs on their own, nor can they change their clothes by themselves.

Therefore, it is helpful to have places where diaper changes can be easily done while sightseeing.

In the Bikan Historical Area, the following restrooms have diaper changing tables:

• Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot
• Kurashiki City Tourist Rest Area
• Kurashiki Central Library (women's only)
• Kurashiki City Art Museum
• Ohara Museum of Art (Annex) West Side Public Restroom
• Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office
• Tsurugatayama Park Achi Shrine Grounds East Side Public Restroom
• Kurashiki Community Center
• Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan
• Kurashiki Ivy Square (inside the building only)
• Kurashiki Civic Hall (inside the building only)

Except for Kurashikikan, there is only one diaper changing table in each of the multipurpose restrooms.

If it is in use, you will have to wait until it is free.

In the case of Kurashikikan, there is also a diaper changing table in the nursing room on the second floor.

Restrooms with Baby Chairs

I have introduced restrooms with diaper changing tables, but diaper changing tables cannot be used as baby chairs (a place to sit the baby while the caregiver uses the restroom).

If you use it as a baby chair, it could lead to accidents such as the baby falling.

Therefore, it can be quite difficult when a caregiver with a baby needs to use the restroom and there is no one else to watch the baby.

This is where restrooms with baby chairs come in handy.

The restrooms with baby chairs around the Bikan Historical Area are as follows:

• Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot
• Ohara Museum of Art (Annex) West Side Public Restroom
• Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan
• Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office
• Kurashiki Ivy Square (inside the building only)
• Kurashiki Civic Hall (inside the building only)

In all of these restrooms, the baby chairs were located inside the multipurpose restrooms.

There is basically one multipurpose toilet per location, so please wait until it is free when it is in use.

Ostomate Toilet

Toilets equipped specifically for artificial anus and artificial bladder provide peace of mind for ostomates.

The ostomate toilets around the Bikan Historical Area are as follows.

• Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot
• Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan
• Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office
• Kurashiki Ivy Square (inside the building only)
• Kurashiki Civic Hall (inside the building only)

All of these are installed within multipurpose toilets.

Since many places have only one multipurpose toilet, you will need to wait until it is free when it is in use.

Wheelchair Accessible Toilet

For those using a wheelchair, having a wheelchair accessible toilet is more convenient.

The toilets accessible by wheelchair around the Bikan Historical Area are as follows.

• Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot
• Kurashiki City Tourist Rest Area
• Kurashiki Central Library (women's only)
• Kurashiki City Art Museum
• Ohara Museum of Art (Annex) West Side Public Toilet
• Tsurugatayama Park Achi Shrine Grounds East Side Public Toilet
• Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan (there is a step at the entrance)
• Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office
• Kurashiki Ivy Square (inside the building only)
• Floral Court
• Kurashiki Civic Hall (inside the building only)

All of these are multipurpose toilets.

Since many multipurpose toilets have only one, please wait until it is free when it is in use.

Note that while the toilet at Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan is wheelchair accessible, there is a step at the entrance of the Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan grounds, so please be careful.

Toilets with Many Toilets Installed

Tourist spots tend to get crowded with visitors on holidays, making toilets busy.

In such cases, a toilet with many toilets installed is convenient as it allows for quicker use.

The toilets with many toilets around the Bikan Historical Area are as follows.

• Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot
• Kurashiki Ivy Square (multiple locations installed within the premises)
• Floral Court
• Kurashiki Civic Hall (multiple locations installed within the premises)

In particular, the Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot has a large number of toilets, including both Japanese-style and Western-style.

Toilets with Clean Western-style Toilets

Some people may prefer Western-style toilets over Japanese-style ones.

Moreover, cleaner toilets provide peace of mind for using them.

The toilets with clean Western-style toilets around the Bikan Historical Area are as follows.

• Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot
• Kurashiki City Tourist Rest Area
• Kurashiki Central Library
• Kurashiki City Art Museum
• Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan
• Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office
• Kurashiki Ivy Square (inside the building)
• Kurashiki Civic Hall (inside the building)

Toilets inside facilities tend to be cleaner as they are regularly cleaned and maintained.

Kurashikikan was just renovated in 2020 and is located almost in the center along the Kurashiki River, making it a recommended spot.

Toilets with Clean Japanese-style Toilets

While some may prefer Western-style toilets, others may prefer Japanese-style toilets.

In the case of Japanese-style toilets, having a clean toilet is also preferable.

The toilets with clean Japanese-style toilets around the Bikan Historical Area are as follows.

• Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot
• Kurashiki City Tourist Rest Area
• Kurashiki Central Library
• Kurashiki City Art Museum
• Shinkei-en Garden
• Kurashiki Civic Hall (inside the building)

Similar to Western-style toilets, toilets inside facilities tend to be cleaner.

Toilets That Are Not Very Clean

The following toilets are not very clean, so please be cautious.

• Public toilet on the north side of the Achi Shrine West Approach (unisex)
• Public toilet at Tsurugata 2-chome Park on the east side of Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School (unisex)
• Public toilet in front of the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum East Side Kurashiki Higashi Fire Station

None of these have a large number of toilets.

Since they are all public toilets, it may be difficult to maintain cleanliness, which is why they may not be very clean.

Additionally, the toilets at the Achi Shrine West Approach and Tsurugata 2-chome Park are unisex.
That can be a bit unpleasant...

Furthermore, the large toilets are not only unclean but also cramped.

Even the men's urinals can be a bit daunting.
Ideally, you would want to avoid them, but they are usable.

These toilets should be reserved for times when you absolutely cannot wait due to the need to urinate.

There Are a Total of 18 Toilets Around the Bikan Historical Area

From here, we will introduce the toilets located around the Bikan Historical Area.

Toilets Around Chuo Street (Motomachi Street)

Chuo Street (also known as Motomachi Street) and the nearby toilets are as follows:

• Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot
• Inside the Kurashiki Natural History Museum, Kurashiki City Tourist Rest Area
• Kurashiki Central Library
• Kurashiki City Art Museum
• Ohara Museum of Art (Annex) West Side Public Toilet

Among these, four are facilities located within the same premises, except for the Ohara Museum of Art (Annex) West Side Public Toilet.

Additionally, the Ohara Museum of Art (Annex) West Side Public Toilet is located on the opposite side of Chuo Street from the four facilities.

Having toilets grouped together like this makes it convenient to quickly move to another toilet if one is full.

Toilet at Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot

▼ The toilet at Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot is located at the far west end of the building where the staff room is (right side of the photo).

▼ In addition to male and female toilets, there is also a multipurpose toilet.

▼There are internal guide maps for men's and women's restrooms, which I think is very considerate.

▼The multipurpose restroom is convenient as it has not only a wheelchair-accessible stall but also facilities for ostomates (artificial anus and bladder) and a diaper changing table.

The toilets at the Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot are the most well-equipped and spacious around the Bikan Historical Area.

In terms of location, they are the easiest to use among the toilets around the Bikan Historical Area.

Toilets at the Kurashiki City Tourist Rest Area inside the Kurashiki Natural History Museum

▼Kurashiki Natural History Museum is located to the northwest of the Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot.

▼On the first floor of the Natural History Museum, there is a Kurashiki City Tourist Rest Area.

▼There are also toilets inside the Kurashiki City Tourist Rest Area.

▼There are also vending machines, and plenty of tables and chairs, so you can take a break along with using the restroom, which is a benefit.

▼By the way, there was a stroller available for rent in front of the tourist rest area toilets.

You can use the stroller by asking the staff at the information desk inside the tourist rest area.

Toilets at Kurashiki Central Library

▼Kurashiki Central Library is located on the west side of the site with the Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot.

There is a toilet on the first floor of the library.

However, since it is primarily for library users, it is recommended to use the toilets at the Central Parking Lot or the tourist rest area on the same site if possible.

Toilets at Kurashiki City Art Museum

▼Kurashiki City Art Museum is located south of the site with the Central Parking Lot.

There is a toilet on the first floor of the museum.

Like the library, it is primarily for museum users.
Please use the toilets at the Central Parking Lot or the tourist rest area on the same site if possible.

Public Toilet on the West Side of Ohara Museum of Art (Annex)

▼There is a public toilet on the opposite side (east side) of the Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot on Chuo Street (Motomachi Street).

It is located just west of the Ohara Museum of Art (Annex) and is a building within the sidewalk of Chuo Street.

▼The entrance is on the opposite side of the road (east side).

▼Although it is a public toilet, there is a multi-purpose toilet available, and it is barrier-free, allowing wheelchair access.

The public restroom on the west side of the Ohara Museum of Art (Annex) is convenient because it is easy to access while walking around the city.

Toilets around Hondori, Honmachi-dori, and Tsurugatayama

Next, I will introduce the toilets located around Kurashiki Hondori, Honmachi-dori, and Tsurugatayama.

There are four toilets around Hondori, Honmachi-dori, and Tsurugatayama:

• Public restroom on the north side of the west approach to Achi Shrine
• Public restroom at Tsurugata 2-chome Park, east side of Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School
• Kurashiki Community Center
• Public restroom on the east side of the Achi Shrine grounds at Tsurugatayama Park

Let’s take a look at each one.

Public restroom on the north side of the west approach to Achi Shrine

▼ Walk towards the Bikan Historical Area from the "Ebisu Shopping Street," and just where the arcade ends, you will find the west approach to Achi Shrine.

You can easily recognize it by the torii gate and stone steps.

▼ The public restroom is located on the left (north side) towards the torii gate and approach.

▼ This public restroom is unisex, so please be aware.

Additionally, there are few toilets, and they are not very clean.

Public restroom at Tsurugata 2-chome Park, east side of Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School

At the northern foot of Tsurugatayama is Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School.

▼ Just east of the elementary school is Tsurugata 2-chome Park, where there is a public restroom.

▼ This public restroom is unisex, so please be aware.

Additionally, there are few toilets, and they are not very clean.

You can access Tsurugata 2-chome Park by going around the west side of Tsurugatayama.

From the Bikan Historical Area side, you can pass through the Tsurugatayama Tunnel, where the Kurashiki Community Center and Kanryuji Temple are located, and you will see Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School right in front.
It is just a short distance from there to Tsurugata 2-chome Park.

Toilet at Kurashiki Community Center

▼ Located on the south side of Tsurugatayama along Honmachi-dori, at the intersection with the road leading to Kanryuji Temple and Tsurugatayama Tunnel, is the Kurashiki Community Center.

▼A toilet is installed on the first floor of the Kurashiki Community Center.

However, it can be crowded when events are held at the community center.

Also, community center users have priority, so please use another toilet at that time.

Public Toilet East Side of Achi Shrine in Tsurugatayama Park

The area on top of Tsurugatayama is developed as Tsurugatayama Park.

▼The Achi Shrine, located on Tsurugatayama, is also part of Tsurugatayama Park.

▼A public toilet is located just east of the Achi Shrine grounds.

▼Next to the public toilet (to the south) is a tea shop, so please use it as a landmark.

▼This public toilet features a multi-purpose toilet as well.

Additionally, the interior and the toilet fixtures were relatively clean.

However, since it is located on top of Tsurugatayama, you will need to climb the stone steps and slopes of the approach.

▼When going, it is safer to ascend from the south approach along Honmachi Street.

The public toilet east of Achi Shrine in Tsurugatayama is convenient if you are visiting Achi Shrine and other nearby places, but it may be difficult to use if your sole purpose is to go to the toilet.

Toilets around Kurashiki River

From here, we will introduce the restrooms located around the Kurashiki Riverbank, which is the center of sightseeing in the Bikan Historical Area.

There are five restrooms at the Kurashiki Riverbank:

• Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan
• Ohara Museum of Art (Annex)
• Shinkei-en Garden
• Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office
• Public restroom in front of the Kurashiki-Higashi Fire Station on the east side of Kurashiki Archaeological Museum

Let’s introduce each one in detail.

Restroom at Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan

▼Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan is a tourist facility located on the western side of the Kurashiki Riverbank.

It is located about 50 meters east from the "Bikan Historical Area Entrance" intersection on Chuo Street.

▼The restroom is located in a building to the northwest of the Monogatari-kan premises.

▼The restroom is in a separate building from the main building.

▼There is a guide map on the premises, so be sure to check the location of the restroom when you enter.

▼The Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan also has a multipurpose restroom.

Additionally, the restroom is accessible for wheelchair users, but please be aware that there are stairs and steps at the entrance of the Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan premises.

Restroom at Ohara Museum of Art (Annex)

▼One of the highlights of Kurashiki tourism, Ohara Museum of Art.

When you think of the Bikan Historical Area, you might associate it with the Ohara Museum of Art.

To the south of the main building of the Ohara Museum of Art, there is a building called Crafts and Asian Art Museum.

▼Enter the premises from the front of the Ohara Museum of Art, and head south along the right side (west side) of the main building, next to the statue.

▼Continue straight along the side of the main building, and the building at the end is the Crafts and Asian Art Museum.

There is a restroom in this Crafts and Asian Art Museum.

▼The restroom in the Crafts and Asian Art Museum is located within the same building, but the entrance is separate.

Therefore, it is an advantage that you can use it casually without entering the Crafts and Oriental Gallery.

There is no admission fee for the Ohara Museum of Art.

Toilets at Shinkei-en

▼Shinkei-en is a garden located to the south of the Ohara Museum of Art grounds.

▼The highlights include the Japanese garden and the traditional building "Keikendo."

There is a toilet inside Keikendo that can be used.
There are two toilets available.

▼One of them is unisex.

▼The other toilet is separated by gender.

Additionally, entry to Shinkei-en is free.

▼You can also access the Crafts and Oriental Gallery from Shinkei-en.

If you go left (south) after passing through the gate of Shinkei-en, you will reach Keikendo, and if you go right (north), you will reach the Crafts and Oriental Gallery.

Toilets at Kurashikikan

▼Kurashikikan is a tourist information facility located almost in the center of the Kurashiki River bank.

Once used as the Kurashiki Town Hall, this wooden Western-style building from the Taisho era is now utilized as a tourist information office after its relocation.

▼In February 2020, Kurashikikan completed renovation work and was renewed.

Kurashikikan has free admission and has toilets inside.

Public Toilet in Front of the Kurashiki-Higashi Fire Station, East Side of Kurashiki Archaeological Museum

▼Across the Kurashiki River from Kurashikikan is Kurashiki Archaeological Museum.

Like Kurashikikan, it is located in the central area along the Kurashiki River.

From Kurashikikan, it is just across the bridge called Nakabashi.

To the immediate east of Kurashiki Archaeological Museum is the Kurashiki City Fire Department, Kurashiki-Higashi Division Fire Station.

▼Next to the fire station is a public toilet.

It is located right between the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum and the bean snack shop "Mamekichi Honpo".
It is also positioned at the western end of Horiato Street.

▼The public toilet in front of the Kurashiki-Higashi Fire Station has a structure that is slightly recessed from the ground, resembling a half-basement.

▼Therefore, you need to go down a few steps to enter.

The number of toilets is limited, and it did not seem very clean.

Toilets in the Southern and Eastern Areas of the Bikan Historical Area

Finally, I will introduce the toilets located in the southern and eastern areas of the Bikan Historical Area.

There are four toilets in the southern and eastern parts of the Bikan Historical Area:

• Kurashiki Ivy Square
• Floral Court
• Kurashiki Civic Hall
• Geibunkan Hall

I will introduce them in order.

Toilets at Kurashiki Ivy Square

▼Kurashiki Ivy Square is a facility that utilizes the site of the former Kurashiki Daikansho and KURABO INDUSTRIES LTD..

It is a complex facility that includes accommodation and souvenir shops.
It is known for its brick walls covered in ivy.

The grounds of Ivy Square are spacious, with multiple toilets available both indoors and outdoors.
Since the area is large, please refer to the guide map.

▼The most convenient toilet is located just inside the gate from the west (Anniversary Street side).

▼Go straight through the gate along Anniversary Street.

▼At the location in the photo below, turn right (south) in the direction you are heading. There is a sign for the toilet.

▼Then, you will see a building with a toilet.

There is another outdoor toilet.

▼Enter through the gate along Anniversary Street, go straight, and proceed straight to the left (north side) of the entrance to the main building of Kurashiki Ivy Square.

▼Then, you will see a building with a toilet on the left (north side) in the direction you are heading.

▼Additionally, there are several toilets inside the main building of Kurashiki Ivy Square.

The toilets inside the building were very clean and had a sense of hygiene.
Additionally, there are wheelchair-accessible toilets and multipurpose toilets inside the building.

Toilets at Floral Court

Floral Court is a separate building of Kurashiki Ivy Square located just east of it.
It is situated between Kurashiki Ivy Square and Kurashiki Civic Hall.

▼There is a small building connected to the south of the Floral Court building, and this is the toilet.

▼The men's toilet is down the stairs, and the women's toilet is up the stairs.

The toilets at Floral Court are located outside the entrance of the building, making them easy to use.

Toilets at Kurashiki Civic Hall

▼Kurashiki Civic Hall is one of the standard venues for large events such as concerts in Kurashiki.

Kurashiki Civic Hall has toilets both outdoors and indoors.

▼The outdoor toilets are located in the parking lot of the Civic Hall, on the east side of the building.

▼If you are unsure, please check the guide map.

▼Since it is outdoors, I think it is easy to use.

▼Inside the Civic Hall, toilets are installed on the 1st and 3rd floors.

There are guide maps inside the hall, so please refer to them.

The toilets inside the hall are accessible for wheelchairs, and there is also a multi-purpose toilet.

However, during events, it can get very crowded.
Be careful as there will be many users of the toilets.

Restrooms at Geibunkan Hall

Geibunkan Hall is a multipurpose hall and event facility located on the southern side of the Bikan Historical Area.

It is famous as the venue for the Oyamameijin Cup Kurashiki Toka Tournament, and within the premises, there is also the Ohyama Memorial Hall and Cafe Geibunkan.

▼ Geibunkan Hall also has a spacious plaza, and the grounds are vast.

▼ To the north of the Geibunkan building, there is a small building on the north side of the plaza, which houses the restrooms.

▼ The restrooms are located right next to the bicycle parking area.

The number of toilets is limited, but the advantage is that they can be used casually like a public restroom.

There are other restrooms inside the building, but they can only be used when the facility is open.

List of Restrooms Around the Bikan Historical Area

We have compiled a table of restrooms located around the Bikan Historical Area.

This list includes only free restrooms, excluding those located within paid facilities or stores.

List of Restrooms Around the Bikan Historical Area

▼ Below is the list of restrooms around the Bikan Historical Area. There are a total of 18 locations.

Conclusion

Around the Bikan Historical Area, the number of free restrooms is limited, excluding those located within stores and paid facilities.

Considering the location, size, facilities, cleanliness, and barrier-free access, I believe that the best recommended restroom is the one located in the building of the Kurashiki City Central Parking Lot.

When you visit the Bikan Historical Area, please refer to this article.

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