Did you know that a movie was being filmed in Kurashiki City last summer (2024)?
It was the movie The Town with a Storehouse.
I also came across filming in the Bikan Historical Area and fireworks launched from Mt. Ashitaka, and eagerly looked forward to the movie’s release.
Advance screenings began at MOVIX Kurashiki on Friday, July 25, 2025.
On opening day, the director and main cast visited Kurashiki, where a riverboat parade was held in the Bikan Historical Area, followed by an opening-day greeting at MOVIX Kurashiki.
Here’s what happened that day.
The information in this article was current when it was published in August 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About the film The Town with a Storehouse, which brings people together
The Town with a Storehouse is a feature film shot entirely on location in Kurashiki, directed by Hiramatsu Emiko, who is from Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
The project got underway in 2022, and a pilot version was made in summer 2023.
The pilot version was used for promotion to solicit sponsorship from companies and others. The project was subsequently selected for Kurashiki City’s “Film Production Attraction Support Subsidy Program Utilizing Corporate Hometown Tax Donations.” This secured a path to funding the production, and the decision was made to produce the full-length film.
Filming took place in summer 2024, and the film was completed in 2025.
A premiere screening was held at MOVIX Kurashiki inside AEON MALL Kurashiki on Monday, March 3, 2025, and advance screenings in Kurashiki began at MOVIX Kurashiki on Friday, July 25, 2025.
A premiere screening was also held at Shinjuku Piccadilly on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, and the film is scheduled for nationwide release at Shinjuku Piccadilly and other theaters from Friday, August 22, 2025.
The story of The Town with a Storehouse
The Town with a Storehouse takes as its subject the “surprise fireworks” held at around 300 locations across Japan during measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which began in 2020 and included requests for people to refrain from going out.
“It’s a promise. I’ll set off huge, beautiful fireworks in this town.”
The story follows high school students who race to make good on a promise that slipped out in the heat of the moment, as they try to encourage Kyosuke Shiraga, a young man with autism, and his classmate Beniko Shiraga, who is on the verge of giving up on her dream.
“This town” is Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture, where the story takes place.
The location where the characters try to set off the fireworks is the Bikan Historical Area, a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Anyone who lives in Kurashiki would say, “That’s impossible.” Find out what happens at the movie theater.
The riverboat parade
On Friday, July 25, 2025, the director and cast of The Town with a Storehouse gathered in the Bikan Historical Area for an event.
The day’s schedule and performers were as follows.
- 2:30 p.m.
Prayer for the film’s success (a Shinto ceremony and votive plaque offering led by the chief priests of Achi Shrine and Ashitaka Shrine) - 2:50 p.m.
Balloon release - 3:00 p.m.
Riverboat parade
- Santoki Soma (as Namba Ao)
- Nakashima Runa (as Shiraga Beniko)
- Takahashi Daisuke (as Kojo Rokuro)
- Maeno Tomoya (as Nakagiri Senta)
- Hiramatsu Emiko (director)
Balloon release
Balloons were also sold to the public at Shinkei-en Garden, filling the Bikan Historical Area with colorful balloons.
The balloons are also one of the props that play an important role in the film.
Not only the cast but also Kurashiki Mayor Kaori Ito and other people involved appeared on Nakabashi Bridge wearing original T-shirts for The Town with a Storehouse.
At the call of “3, 2, 1!”, balloons released in hopes of the film’s success soared high into the sky.
Riverboat parade
Next, the performers, cast members, and other people involved boarded riverboats and paraded around the Bikan Historical Area.
The parade proceeded with the group split between two riverboats.
Despite the scorching heat, cheers filled the streets as people shared parasols, while the performers and director aboard the riverboats waved back during the approximately 20-minute ride.
Opening-day greeting
The film was screened at MOVIX Kurashiki from 4:45 p.m., followed by an opening-day greeting at around 6:40 p.m.
The director and the performers who took part in the riverboat parade were all there.
In front of a full house, they answered the host’s questions about the following two topics.
Please tell us about a scene that left an impression on you.
Santoki Soma
The scene at the community hall, where I got angry while crying.
In the original setup, it wasn’t a scene where I cried, but as filming progressed, director Hiramatsu gave me the opportunity to try that kind of emotional performance, so it remains a memorable moment for me.
Nakajima Runa
The scene that stayed with me was Beniko sitting down to a meal at home with her big brother.
As this scene is revisited, you can feel the family growing, and I really love it.
Takahashi Daisuke
The most difficult scene was the argument with Beniko’s father at an izakaya.
My emotions got the better of me and I forgot my lines, so it’s a somewhat bitter memory, but it was a valuable experience.
Maeno Tomoya
I’m from Kurashiki, and I think one of this town’s charms is that cultural things like jazz cafes are part of everyday life, so I was happy to see a scene like that depicted.
I had a small mission to play the drums, so I enjoyed the filming itself, but the drumming scene made me nervous.
Please tell us what left an impression on you while filming in Kurashiki.
Sanji Yama-ji
I was so happy that local people warmly called out to us during filming, saying things like, “I saw you in this morning’s drama!”
Nakajima Runa
It was really hot while we were filming, and people kindly said things like, “You can take a break in our shop.” I was impressed by how cooperative the local people were with the filming.
They also gave us a warm welcome when all the cast went out to eat together!
Takahashi Daisuke
I’m from Tsurajima, in Kurashiki, so the Bikan Historical Area and the area in front of JR Kurashiki Station are a bit far away, and I hadn’t really been there before.
But during filming this time, I visited various shops, and they were all lovely and had delicious food. I enjoyed discovering a new side of Kurashiki as I spent time there.
I feel like I was able to appreciate what makes my hometown special by leaving it.
Maeno Tomoya
During filming, I bought Murasuzume to bring as a treat in the Bikan Historical Area.
Since it was summer, they even included chilled Murasuzume, and they looked at me and asked, “Are you Mr. Maeno?” I was grateful.
Director Hiramatsu Emiko
Hearing everyone talk now, I’m relieved that they enjoyed filming in Kurashiki. At the time, all I heard was, “It’s hot!” (laughs)
From the Writer
When the balloons rose into the air over the Kurashiki River, people came out not only from among the tourists but also from the shops and inns along the river. It warmed my heart to see the whole town celebrating the release of the film “A Town with a Storehouse.”
This film also offers the following features, making it enjoyable for people with a wide range of needs.
- Audio guides for people who need auditory information, including those with visual impairments
- Japanese and English subtitles for people with hearing impairments and English speakers (requires installation of a dedicated app)
- Screen subtitles (available for a limited time at some theaters)
This is sure to be a moving film for anyone who has a hometown or has cherished friends and family, as well as for those who have spent time in Kurashiki.
I hope this film reaches as many people as possible through its advance screenings in Kurashiki and its nationwide release.
A Town with a Storehouse Information
| Name | A Town with a Storehouse |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, July 25, 2025: Advance release in Kurashiki, including at MOVIX Kurashiki Friday, August 22, 2025: Nationwide release, including at Shinjuku Piccadilly |
| Location | MOVIX Kurashiki and other theaters |
| Admission (tax included) | Various advance tickets with original bonus: ¥1,500 |
| Website | Official website |
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