Do you know the "Kurashiki Bird's Eye View Map" often seen around JR Kurashiki Station and the Bikan Historical Area?
The creator is Naoki Okamoto, a Western-style painter and bird's-eye map artist from Kurashiki City. I was invited to visit his exhibition with the words, "I'm having an art exhibition, so come see it."
Here, I will introduce the Naoki Okamoto Art Exhibition "The Air of Memory."
About Naoki Okamoto
Naoki Okamoto is a Western-style painter and bird's-eye map artist from Kurashiki City.
He spent his childhood in Kurashiki until graduating from high school, and then studied oil painting and other 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.
Since returning to Kurashiki in 2002, he created the "2005 Edition" bird's-eye view map depicting the townscape of Kurashiki, aiming to preserve his hometown. After that, he took four more years to create the "1963 Edition" bird's-eye view map of the same area.
For this reason, he is well-known in Kurashiki as a "bird's-eye map artist," but he also continues his artistic activities, such as being a teacher at an art class.
Naoki Okamoto Art Exhibition "The Air of Memory"
The art exhibition "The Air of Memory" is an exhibition as a Western-style painter Naoki Okamoto.
It seems that this is the first exhibition in about 25 years since he lived in Yokohama City around 2000. The owner of "antique et cafe Felicite" where the art class is held consulted him, saying, "Can we hold an exhibition to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the shop?" which became the trigger for this exhibition.
After about six months of production time, he created 20 new works for the exhibition.
"I worked hard without sleeping. However, because of that, the '2025 Edition Kurashiki Bird's Eye View Map' will be delayed," Okamoto said.
Venue Overview
The venue is "antique et cafe Felicite" located in the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki.
Although it is a cafe, if the purpose is to view the art exhibition, entry is possible without food or drink.
Inside the shop, Okamoto's oil paintings and watercolors are displayed.
Various works such as plants, objects, and landscapes are displayed, and when I asked if there was a theme, he said, "I painted freely while recalling the past."
This is also reflected in the message in the leaflet distributed at the venue.
As I get older, I can vaguely remember the things I saw, heard, and felt when I was young.
I tried to capture that atmosphere in my paintings.Source: Message from Naoki Okamoto in the leaflet distributed at the venue
All works are available for purchase.
Conclusion
Regarding the art exhibition, Okamoto shared the following:
Okamoto
I am known as a "bird's-eye map artist" in Kurashiki, but I hope people can also recognize my activities as a Western-style painter. You don't have to feel pressured to visit the exhibition; just drop by casually.
The exhibition runs until January 18 (Sunday).
When you visit the Bikan Historical Area, please experience the world of Naoki Okamoto's paintings.
Articles about Naoki Okamoto
Data for Naoki Okamoto Painting Exhibition "The Air of Memory"
| Name | Naoki Okamoto Painting Exhibition "The Air of Memory" |
|---|---|
| Dates | January 10 (Sat) and 18 (Sun), 2026 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM *Closed on January 13 and 14 |
| Location | 10-6 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture (antique et cafe Felicite) |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
