Kurashiki flourished as a shogunal domain during the Edo period and is now a bustling tourist destination.
It is strongly associated with being a “vibrant town,” but there was a period when it nearly declined, with no notable industries to speak of.
The Kurabo Memorial Hall preserves more than 135 years of records, from the Meiji era to the present, showing how the town came back to life.
Here we introduce the Kurabo Memorial Hall, which houses many treasures that tell the story of the textile industry that supported the Japanese economy and Kurabo’s history.
The information presented is current as of the article’s publication in February 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the “Kurabo Memorial Hall”?
The Kurabo Memorial Hall opened in March 1969 (Showa 44), marking the company’s 80th anniversary. It was established to share the history of KURABO INDUSTRIES LTD., founded as a spinning company in 1888 (Meiji 21).
In addition to introducing Kurabo’s evolution through machinery, models, documents, and video materials from each era, the exhibits also offer insights into the historical context, working conditions, and life in the town.
The building is a renovated raw cotton warehouse from the company’s founding period. In recognition of its historical value, it has received the following designations:
- Registered Tangible Cultural Property (1998, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- Heritage of Industrial Modernization (2007, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
- Japan Heritage (2017, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- Japanese Labor Heritage (2023, Japan Labor Pen Club)
*Some of the exhibits
Five Exhibition Rooms
The exhibits inside the hall are divided into the following five sections:
- Room 1: Meiji Era [1888–1912]
- Room 2: Taisho Era [1912–1926]
- Room 3: Showa Era (Prewar and Wartime) [1926–1945]
- Room 4: Showa Era (Postwar) to the Present [1945–]
- Room 5: Chronology
Room 1: Meiji Era [1888–1912]
The circumstances surrounding the company’s founding and its early years are presented through Meiji-era spinning machinery and documents from the time.
After the magistrate’s office was abolished during the Meiji Restoration, Kurashiki was on the verge of decline, with no notable industries. The founding of Kurabo was prompted by three young men who rose up, saying, “We want to establish a spinning industry.”
Kurashiki had been a cotton-growing area since the Edo period, and the Meiji government was promoting modern spinning industries under its policy of encouraging new industries. The three men therefore went around persuading influential local figures.
Ultimately, Ohara Koshiro, who became the company’s first president, agreed to the plan and invested in it. Many people in the prefecture, learning of the new venture, responded enthusiastically and applications to subscribe for shares poured in. Ohara Koshiro took up the shortfall, making the project viable. Thus, Kurabo was established on the former site of the magistrate’s office.
Kurabo began operations on March 9, 1888 (Meiji 21), as the “Yugen Sekinin Kurashiki Boshokujo” (Limited Liability Kurashiki Spinning Mill). Not only was the factory designed using the latest methods, but its production machinery was also state-of-the-art British equipment, and even the fire pumps were brought from Britain.
Room 2: Taisho Era [1912–1926]
Exhibits from the Taisho era, when the company made remarkable progress, focus on the achievements of Ohara Magosaburo, who became its second president at the age of 26.
Ohara Magosaburo said, “There can be no prosperity for a business without the happiness of its employees,” and worked to improve conditions for employees while diversifying the business.
Schools were also established for employees, but the most distinctive feature was the employee dormitories.
At the time, dormitories everywhere reportedly housed 40 to 50 people in large rooms. To make them feel more like home, Kurabo built “dispersed dormitories,” where about four people lived in each unit consisting of a six-tatami-mat room and a two-tatami-mat room, improving their living conditions.
Kurabo also established the Kurashiki Institute for Labor Science to improve working conditions. Guided by the ideal of labor humanism, it introduced one initiative after another for its employees and the local community.
Room 3: Showa Era (Prewar and Wartime) [1926–1945]
The exhibits show how, during the Showa era, as the business expanded further, Kurabo also worked to promote art and culture.
Ohara Soichiro, the fourth president, who carried on the wishes of Ohara Magosaburo, also deepened his exchange with artists.
“A jewel does not become a vessel unless it is polished; a person does not know the Way unless they learn.” This is a work by Shiko Munakata, who spoke of the importance of learning.
In 1944, Ohara Soichiro asked Munakata to “paint something that would benefit Kurabo employees.” The work was reportedly installed in the factory’s etiquette room so everyone could see it.
Room 4: Showa Period (Postwar) to the Present [1945 onward]
Room 4 introduces how the textile industry in postwar Japan and Kurabo pursued business diversification.
When Kurabo Memorial Hall was first established, it was reportedly used for employee training.
Later, Kurabo exhibited alongside other companies at the 1970 Japan World Exposition. The exhibits were brought back afterward, and this led to the hall being opened to the public.
Room 5: Chronology
A comprehensive exhibition room covering the period from the Meiji era to the present. Videos, photographs, books, and other materials are on display.
You can also browse the company newsletter, which has a history of more than 100 years.
It was reportedly published without interruption even during wartime, offering a glimpse into life in each era.
Press a button to watch videos showing what Kurashiki looked like more than 100 years ago and what life was like for people working in the factory.
We spoke with Takahashi Ryosuke, who joined Kurabo during the Showa era and helped produce the company newsletter. At the time of the interview, he was the general affairs department manager at Kurashiki Ivy Square.
Kurabo Memorial Hall Information
| Name | Kurabo Memorial Hall |
|---|---|
| Address | 7-1 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture (inside Kurashiki Ivy Square) |
| Contact | [Inquiries about opening days and hours] 086-422-0010 [Inquiries about materials] 06-6266-5053 |
| Parking | Available Kurashiki Ivy Square paid parking lot is available |
| Opening hours | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (last admission at 3:45 p.m.) |
| Closed | Open daily |
| Admission (tax included) | Individual: Adults ¥300 / Students ¥250 Groups (30 or more): Adults ¥250 / Students ¥200 Free for children under elementary school age |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Not available |
| Smoking | Entire facility is non-smoking |
| Restrooms | No restroom As there are no restrooms in the facility, visitors may use the restroom next to the Aibi Kobo shop (Western-style toilet) |
| Accessibility | A wheelchair ramp is available, though it is not permanently installed |
| Website | Kurabo Memorial Hall website |
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