Have you seen the “Kurashiki Bird’s-Eye View Maps” often displayed at JR Kurashiki Station and in the Bikan Historical Area?
The artist is Okamoto Naoki, an oil painter and bird’s-eye-view map artist from Kurashiki City. He invited me to come see his exhibition, saying, “I’m having an art exhibition, so come by,” and I went to see it.
Here’s a look at Okamoto Naoki’s art exhibition, “The Air of Memory.”
The information provided is accurate as of the article’s publication in January 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Okamoto Naoki
Okamoto Naoki is an oil painter and bird’s-eye-view map artist from Kurashiki City.
He grew up in Kurashiki, where he lived until graduating from high school. After that, he studied oil painting and other forms of art in the United States and France. After returning to Japan, he lived in Yokohama City and expanded his activities, based in the Kanto region.
After returning to Kurashiki in 2002, he set out to preserve the streetscapes of his hometown by creating a bird’s-eye-view map of the central Kurashiki area, the “2005 edition.” He then spent another four years creating a bird’s-eye-view map of the same area, the “1963 edition.”
For this reason, he is well known in Kurashiki as a “bird’s-eye-view map artist,” but he also continues to create art as a painter, including teaching at an art class.
Okamoto Naoki Art Exhibition: “The Air of Memory”
“The Air of Memory” is an exhibition showcasing Okamoto Naoki’s work as an oil painter.
It is said to be his first exhibition in about 25 years, since around 2000, when he was living in Yokohama City. It came about after the owner of “antique et cafe Felicite,” which also hosts his art classes, asked him, “Could you hold an exhibition to celebrate the shop’s 25th anniversary?”
After that, following about six months of work, he created 20 new pieces for the exhibition.
“I worked hard without sleeping. But because of that, the ‘2025 edition of the Kurashiki Bird’s-Eye View Map’ ended up being delayed,” Okamoto said.
The venue
The venue is “antique et cafe Felicite,” in the Bikan Historical Area.
Although it is a cafe, visitors may enter without ordering food or drinks if they are there to view the exhibition.
Okamoto’s oil paintings and watercolors are displayed inside.
The works on display include a variety of subjects, such as plants, objects, and landscapes. When asked whether they shared a particular theme, he said, “I painted freely, recalling things from the past.”
This sentiment is also reflected in the message in the leaflet distributed at the venue.
As you get older, things you saw, heard, and felt while rushing around in your youth come back to you hazily.
I tried to capture that atmosphere in my paintings.Source: Message from Okamoto Naoki in the leaflet distributed at the venue
All of the artworks are available for purchase.
From the Writer
Okamoto had this to say about the exhibition:
Okamoto
People in Kurashiki know me as a “bird’s-eye-view map artist,” but I hope they’ll also learn about my work as an oil painter. You don’t need to think of it as a formal exhibition; it’s fine to just drop in, so please feel free to come by.
The exhibition runs through Sunday, January 18.
When you visit the Bikan Historical Area, take a moment to experience the world of Okamoto Naoki’s paintings.
Articles about Okamoto Naoki
Okamoto Naoki Exhibition: “The Air of Memory” Information
| Name | Okamoto Naoki Exhibition: “The Air of Memory” |
|---|---|
| Dates | January 10 (Saturday) and 18 (Sunday), 2026 10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. *Closed January 13 and 14 |
| Location | 10-6 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture (antique et cafe Felicite) |
| Admission (tax included) | Free |
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