As October begins, the atmosphere of the "Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki" is in full swing at JR Kurashiki Station and Kurashiki Chuo Street.
The "Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki" is an event where 104 Japan Heritage story-certified regions from across the country gather together, and 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Heritage system.
We spoke with the Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Office and the Kurashiki Japan Heritage Ambassador Suinkyo about the event's content and purpose.
What is the "Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki"?
The "Japan Heritage Festival" is the largest event related to Japan Heritage in the country, gathering 104 Japan Heritage story-certified regions from across the nation.
It will be held on October 25 (Saturday) and 26 (Sunday), 2025, with Kurashiki Ivy Square as the main venue.
For more details, please check the image below.
Features of the Kurashiki Event
In 2025 (Reiwa 7), it will be the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Heritage system by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
The biggest attraction is that the Kurashiki Ivy Square, which is a Japan Heritage cultural property and a modern industrial heritage site, will serve as the main venue. The venue is free of charge, allowing anyone to participate easily.
At the PR booths for Japan Heritage from across the country (such as the Emerald Hall), you can gather information and obtain novelties while enjoying a travel-like atmosphere.
In the courtyard square, local students will perform shows and Bichu Kagura, showcasing folk performing arts. On October 26, there will also be an experience with the Kurashiki Japan Heritage Ambassador "Suinkyo."
Additionally, in connection with UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage, there will be paid tastings of local sake from across the country and gourmet specialties.
We spoke with Yoshihiko Takemasa from the Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Office and the Kurashiki Japan Heritage Ambassadors Suinkyo Jiji and Baba about the upcoming "Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki."
Pre-event Interview for the Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki
Can you tell us about the background of holding the Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki?
Takemasa (no honorifics)
Originally, Kurashiki City had a strong desire to "hold the Japan Heritage Festival." We believed that by hosting the festival, we could attract many visitors from across the country and abroad, which would benefit the local economy.
Therefore, we put our name forward as a host city, and as a result of the lottery, we were successfully selected. The official decision for the host city was made at the Japan Heritage Federation's general meeting held in conjunction with the festival in Komatsu City in 2021.
After that, serious preparations began about a year before the announcement that the next festival would be in Kurashiki, which was made at the previous host city (Aizuwakamatsu City) last year (2024).
What are the features of the "Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki"?
Takemasa
Kurashiki City not only has three Japan Heritage stories certified, which is the highest number in the country, but also has cultural properties throughout the city, making it truly a "town of Japan Heritage."
Furthermore, the main venue, "Kurashiki Ivy Square," is a Japan Heritage cultural property, so it is rare to hold the Japan Heritage Festival at a cultural property. I believe that participating will allow people to feel closer to Japan Heritage.
Of course, I also want people to fully appreciate the charm of Kurashiki City.
Can you tell us about specific highlights and event content?
Takemasa
In the courtyard stage, there will be fashion shows and music performances by local university students, PR by participants from various regions, and presentations of folk performing arts.
Additionally, at the food booths, we hope you enjoy local cuisine and gourmet dishes made with ingredients from the Takahashi River basin.
Moreover, since "traditional sake brewing" has been recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, we will be offering paid tastings of sake introduced by Japan Heritage certified regions from across the country, as well as local sake that Kurashiki City is proud of.
We invite all sake lovers to come and enjoy.
What kind of people would you like to come?
Takemasa
Some people may have the image of the event being for stakeholders and businesses, as it was once called a "summit."
However, the name change from "summit" to "festival" was made to create a more approachable image for everyone.
This event is for not only the local community but also for tourists, and we hope many people will participate.
The venue is free of charge, so anyone can come at any time and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
What do you want visitors to feel?
Takemasa
I hope this will be an opportunity for people to learn what Japan Heritage is.
I want local people to rediscover the charm of Kurashiki, and I believe they will naturally learn about the history and culture of various regions across the country.
Even in a place you know well, there are surely new discoveries to be made. I believe everyone will find something enjoyable.
Additionally, to convey the charm of various regions in the city, we are conducting a digital stamp rally that lasts for about two months, not just during these two days.
I would be happy if this could be used as an opportunity to deeply understand the historical and cultural aspects of the region by visiting the cultural properties spread throughout the city.
Please give a message to the readers.
Takemasa
Please come to the Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki this weekend, and I hope you rediscover the charm of Kurashiki and come to love it even more.
We look forward to your visit.
It seems that Suinkyo, who serves as the Kurashiki Japan Heritage Ambassador, will also be active on the day.
Suinkyo Jiji
Yes.
Suinkyo is the only character among the Japan Heritage cultural properties that can move around.
On the day, Suinkyo will walk around the venue and the Bikan Historical Area to promote the festival.
Suinkyo Baba
On the 26th, there will also be an experience corner where you can become Suinkyo. Please come to the main venue, Kurashiki Ivy Square.
Conclusion
To be honest, in today's world where almost all information can be obtained through the internet, I did not feel much value in something like an "exhibition."
However, after participating in the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which closed on October 13, I recognized the importance of "the atmosphere that can only be understood by being there" and "a place where various regions and cultures gather."
Although the scale is different, the "Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki," which gathers Japan Heritage from across the country, is such a "place," and I feel that holding it in Kurashiki City is a very valuable opportunity.
On October 25 and 26, please visit Kurashiki Ivy Square and experience various histories and cultures of Japan through the Japan Heritage stories.
Articles about Japan Heritage in Kurashiki City
Data for Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki
| Name | Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki |
|---|---|
| Date | October 25 (Saturday) and 26 (Sunday), 2025 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Location | Kurashiki Ivy Square |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free |
| Website | Japan Heritage Festival in Kurashiki |
