Film "The Town with a Warehouse" Completion Preview Screening - The feature film shot entirely in Kurashiki is finally complete! Premiering in Kurashiki from July 25, 2025 (Friday).

For those who often pass by JR Kurashiki Station and the Bikan Historical Area, do you remember seeing a film shoot last summer (2024)?

The title of the film being shot is “The Town with Storehouses.”
Directed by Emiko Hiramatsu, who is from Kurashiki City, it is a feature film shot entirely in Kurashiki.

And “The Town with Storehouses” has finally been completed, with a completion screening held at MOVIX Kurashiki on March 3, 2025 (Monday).

About 300 people, including sponsor companies, gathered for the completion screening, and I will report on the subsequent completion party.

What is the connecting film “The Town with Storehouses”?

“The Town with Storehouses” is a feature film shot entirely in Kurashiki, directed by Emiko Hiramatsu, who is from Kurashiki City.

Planning began in 2022, and a pilot version was created in the summer of 2023.

Using the pilot version for promotion, sponsorship was solicited from companies, and it was subsequently adopted by Kurashiki City’s Film Production 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 was completed in 2025.
On March 3, 2025 (Monday), a completion screening was held at MOVIX Kurashiki inside Aeon Mall Kurashiki.

After that, a pre-release screening in Kurashiki will be held on July 25, 2025 (Friday) at MOVIX Kurashiki and other locations, with a nationwide release scheduled to start on August 22, 2025 (Friday) at Shinjuku Piccadilly and other theaters.

The Story of “The Town with Storehouses”

“The Town with Storehouses” is based on the “Surprise Fireworks” event held at about 300 locations across Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020 and led to restrictions on outings.

“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 on the spur of the moment to encourage a young man with autism, Kyosuke Shirakami, and his classmate, Akiko Shirakami, who is on the verge of giving up on her dreams.

“This town” refers to Kurashiki City, which is the setting of the story.
The location where they plan to launch the fireworks is the Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Denkengai District), the Bikan Historical Area.

Those who live in Kurashiki might say, “That’s impossible.” Please check the results at the cinema.

Completion Screening

I attended the completion screening held at MOVIX Kurashiki on March 3, 2025 (Monday).

First, we watched the film, and then director Emiko Hiramatsu and the main cast appeared on stage.

During the Q&A session, they answered questions about their feelings during filming and character development, and finally shared their impressions of the city of Kurashiki as follows.

Soma Santoki

I was appearing in a morning drama during filming, and many people approached me saying, “I saw you in the morning drama,” which made me feel that this city has a close-knit community in a good way.

Runa Nakashima

I wandered around the city a bit during and after filming.
I thought the lively atmosphere of the city during the day was wonderful, but I also found the quietness of the night to be lovely. It made me feel calm, as if I had returned home, and I could hear the voices of students in the distance, which felt like youth.

Kento Sakurai

What impressed me the most was the people. I love to eat, so I visited various restaurants.
Someone said, “Are you filming now? Then I’ll give you some shrimp tempura,” and it was delicious. I felt the warmth of the people a lot.

Kazuki Horike

I walked around the Bikan Historical Area both during and outside of filming. But I never got bored.
Even after watching this movie, I still want to go back. I realized through this film that there is something attractive about it.

Tomoya Maeno

It was depicted in the film, but there are many delinquents, right?
I don’t know about now, but when I lived there, I had the impression that there were many delinquents. I was moved that this was portrayed in the film, showing that it’s not just a pretty facade.

After this, a video comment from Daisuke Takahashi, who was unable to attend the screening, was played, in which he said the following.

Daisuke Takahashi

I think the people of Kurashiki and Okayama, where I was born and raised, have a big heart and are warm, with a character that moves forward with a big spirit. So, rather than being a special place, it is the best place in terms of feelings.
I believe this film showcases the goodness of Kurashiki, so I would be happy if the people of Kurashiki could come to the cinema to see it.

Finally, Director Emiko Hiramatsu gave a comment, and the completion screening concluded.

Director Emiko Hiramatsu

This film is called a “connecting film.”
I hope it will be accepted as a film that allows people to experience the goodness of Kurashiki, but more than that, I want it to be a film that connects Kurashiki with people across the country.

Completion Party

After that, the Kurashiki Ivy Square Emerald Hall was the venue for the completion party.

The party, attended by many guests, began with a greeting from Kazushi Watanabe, a member of the “The Town with Storehouses” Executive Committee, followed by a bouquet presentation and greeting from Mayor Kaori Ito to Director Emiko Hiramatsu, and then the cast returned to the stage.

The toast by Tomoya Maeno started the event.

At the end of the event, a call for cooperation regarding promotion was made by committee member Nobuyuki Tsuji, and the event concluded.

Conclusion

Tears flowed during the climax of the story.
Whether it was because I hadn’t watched many movies in recent years or due to my age, it was an experience I had never had before, as far as I can remember.

Since it was filmed entirely in Kurashiki, familiar places and landscapes appear throughout. The immersion felt different, and I experienced a fresh sensation.

I highly recommend this work to the citizens of Kurashiki and those connected to Kurashiki.
Look forward to its release.

Data of "The Town with Storehouses"

Name	"The Town with Storehouses"
Date	July 25, 2025 (Friday) MOVIX Kurashiki and other early screenings in Kurashiki August 22, 2025 (Friday) Shinjuku Piccadilly and nationwide release
Location	MOVIX Kurashiki and others
Participation Fee (including tax)	Nationwide common special viewing ticket: 1,500 yen *Scheduled for release in April *Includes a special original postcard set (limited quantity, some theaters excluded)
Homepage	Official Site

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