Did you know that a movie was being filmed in Kurashiki City last summer (2024)?
The movie "Kura no Aru Machi" was being filmed.
I also encountered the filming in the Bikan Historical Area and the fireworks from Mt. Adaka, eagerly looking forward to the release.
The advance screening started on July 25, 2025 (Friday) at MOVIX Kurashiki.
On the first day of release, the director and main cast visited Kurashiki, where a Punting Boat Parade was held in the Bikan Historical Area, followed by a first-day greeting at MOVIX Kurashiki.
Let me report on the events of the day.
What is the connecting movie "Kura no Aru Machi"?
The movie "Kura no Aru Machi" is a feature film shot entirely in Kurashiki, directed by Emiko Hiramatsu, who is from Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
Planning began in 2022, and a pilot version was created in the summer of 2023.
The pilot version was used for promotion, seeking sponsorship from companies, and was subsequently adopted by Kurashiki City's Film Production Attraction Support Project Utilizing Corporate Furusato Tax. This allowed for securing production funds, leading to the decision to produce the main film.
Filming took place in the summer of 2024, and the film was completed in 2025.
On March 3, 2025 (Monday), a completion preview screening was held at MOVIX Kurashiki in Aeon Mall Kurashiki, and the advance screening in Kurashiki began on July 25, 2025 (Friday) at MOVIX Kurashiki.
On July 29, 2025 (Tuesday), a completion preview screening was also held at Shinjuku Piccadilly, with a nationwide release scheduled to start on August 22, 2025 (Friday) at Shinjuku Piccadilly and other locations.
The story of "Kura no Aru Machi"
"Kura no Aru Machi" is based on the "Surprise Fireworks" event held at about 300 locations across Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic measures that began in 2020, which included requests for people to refrain from going out.
"It's a promise. I will launch big and beautiful fireworks in this town."
The story depicts high school students who rush to fulfill a promise made in a moment to encourage a young man with autism, "Kyosuke Shiraga," and his classmate "Beniko Shiraga," who is on the verge of giving up on her dreams.
"This town" refers to Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, which is the setting of the story.
The location where the fireworks are to be launched is the Important Traditional Buildings Preservation District (Denkendistrict), the Bikan Historical Area.
Those who live in Kurashiki would say, "That's impossible." Please check the results in the theater.
The Punting Boat Parade
On July 25, 2025 (Friday), the director and cast of the movie "Kura no Aru Machi" gathered in the Bikan Historical Area for an event.
The schedule and participants for the day were as follows:
- 2:30 PM -
Hit Prayer Ceremony (Shinto rituals by the priests of Achi Shrine and Ashidaka Shrine, offering of ema) - 2:50 PM -
Balloon Release - 3:00 PM -
Punting Boat Parade
- Soma Yamatoki (Namba Ao role)
- Runa Nakashima (Beniko Shiraga role)
- Daisuke Takahashi (Midorou Kojo role)
- Tomo Maeno (Sentaro Nakagiri role)
- Emiko Hiramatsu (Director)
Balloon Release
At Shinkei-en Garden, balloons were sold to the general public, and the Bikan Historical Area was decorated with colorful balloons.
These balloons also play an important role as props in the movie.
Not only the cast but also Kurashiki City Mayor Kaori Ito and other related parties appeared wearing original T-shirts of the movie "Kura no Aru Machi" at Nakabashi.
With the countdown of "3, 2, 1!" the balloons, prayed for success, soared high into the sky.
The Punting Boat Parade
Next, the cast and related parties paraded around the Bikan Historical Area on the punting boats.
The parade proceeded with two boats.
Under the blazing sun, while sharing umbrellas, cheers erupted from the spectators along the road, and the cast and director on the boats waved back as the approximately 20-minute punting boat parade took place.
First-Day Greeting
At 4:45 PM, a screening of the movie was held at MOVIX Kurashiki, followed by the first-day greeting around 6:40 PM after the screening.
The director and the cast who participated in the punting boat parade gathered together.
In a packed venue, they answered two questions from the host.
What scene left an impression on you?
Soma Yamatoki
It was the scene in the community center where I cried and got angry.
Originally, it wasn't a scene where I was supposed to cry, but as we progressed with the filming, Director Hiramatsu gave me the opportunity to challenge myself with such an emotional performance, so it remains a memorable experience.
Nakajima Runa
I was really impressed by the scene where Beniko sits at the dining table with her older brother at home.
I really like this scene as it conveys the growth of the family.
Takahashi Daisuke
The most difficult scene was the argument between Beniko and her father at the izakaya.
It was a bit of a bitter memory because my emotions overflowed and I forgot my lines, but it became a valuable experience.
Maeno Tomoya
I am from Kurashiki, and I think one of the charms of this city is the cultural aspects like jazz cafes being close by, so I was happy to see scenes depicting that.
I had a little mission to play the drums, so while the filming itself was fun, I felt nervous during the drum scene.
Please share what left an impression on you during the filming in Kurashiki.
Yamatoki Sōma
During the shoot, the local people warmly said things like, "I saw you in this morning's drama!" which made me very happy.
Nakajima Runa
It was really hot during the filming, so the local people kindly said things like, "You can take a break at the shop," and I was impressed by how cooperative everyone in the community was with the filming.
When all the cast went out to eat, we were also warmly welcomed!
Takahashi Daisuke
I am from Tsurajima in Kurashiki, so it was a bit of a distance to the Bikan Historical Area and JR Kurashiki Station, and I hadn't come here very often.
However, during this filming, I visited various shops, and they were all wonderful and delicious, so I enjoyed discovering a new side of Kurashiki.
I feel like I was able to realize the charm of my hometown that I only understood after leaving it.
Maeno Tomoya
During the filming, I bought some murasuzume as a snack in the Bikan Historical Area.
Since it was summer, they even included some chilled murasuzume, and when they saw my face, they asked, "Are you Maeno?" which I appreciated.
Director Hiramatsu Emiko
Listening to everyone's stories now, I feel relieved that they enjoyed filming in Kurashiki. At that time, all I heard was "It's hot!" (laughs)
Conclusion
At the moment when balloons rose over the Kurashiki River, not only tourists but also people from the shops and inns along the river came out, and it was heartwarming to see the whole town genuinely happy about the release of the film "The Town with Storehouses."
This work also offers the following content, making it a film that can be enjoyed by people with diverse needs.
- Audio guides for people with visual impairments and those who need auditory information
- Japanese and English subtitles for people with hearing impairments and English speakers (installation of a dedicated app is required)
- Screen subtitles (available for a limited time at certain screening locations)
For those who have spent time in Kurashiki, and for anyone who has a "hometown" or important friends and family, this is surely a work that will resonate with your heart.
I hope that this film reaches as many people as possible, not only with its advance screening in Kurashiki but also in nationwide screenings.
Data on The Town with Storehouses
| Name | The Town with Storehouses |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 25, 2025 (Friday) Early release in Kurashiki at MOVIX Kurashiki and others August 22, 2025 (Friday) Nationwide release at Shinjuku Piccadilly and others |
| Location | MOVIX Kurashiki and others |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Various advance tickets with original benefits ¥1,500 |
| Website | Official Site |
