If you often pass through the area around JR Kurashiki Station and the Bikan Historical Area, do you remember seeing a movie being filmed last summer (2024)?
The movie being filmed was titled “A Town with a Storehouse.”
It is a feature-length film shot entirely in Kurashiki, directed by Hiramatsu Emiko, who is from Kurashiki City.
And now, “A Town with a Storehouse” is finally complete. A preview screening was held at MOVIX Kurashiki on Monday, March 3, 2025.
Here is our report on the preview screening, attended by around 300 people, including sponsor companies, and the preview party held afterward.
This article does not discuss the movie in detail.
There are no so-called “spoilers,” so please read on without worry if you are concerned about spoilers.
The information in this article was current when it was published in March 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the “Connecting Film,” A Town with a Storehouse?
“A Town with a Storehouse” is a feature-length film shot entirely 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 the summer of 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 raising production funds, and production of the full-length film was approved.
Filming took place in the summer of 2024, and the film was completed in 2025.
A preview screening was held on Monday, March 3, 2025, at MOVIX Kurashiki inside AEON MALL Kurashiki.
It was then released early in Kurashiki on Friday, July 25, 2025, at MOVIX Kurashiki and other venues, and is scheduled for nationwide release from Friday, August 22, 2025, at Shinjuku Piccadilly and other theaters.
The story of “A Town with a Storehouse”
“A Town with a Storehouse” takes as its subject the “surprise fireworks displays” held at around 300 locations across Japan while people were being asked to refrain from going out as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, which began in 2020.
“I promised. 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 “Shirakami Kyosuke,” a young man with autism, and his classmate “Shirakami Beniko,” who is on the verge of giving up on her dreams.
“This town” is Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture, where the story is set.
The place where they try to set off the fireworks is the Bikan Historical Area, a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
People who live in Kurashiki would say, “That’s impossible.” Find out what happens at the movie theater.
Preview screening
I attended the preview screening held at MOVIX Kurashiki on Monday, March 3, 2025.
First, we watched the movie. Then director Hiramatsu Emiko and the main cast members appeared at the venue.
- Santoki Soma (Namba Ao)
- Nakashima Runa (Shirakami Beniko)
- Horike Kazuki (Shirakami Kyosuke)
- Sakurai Kento (Kameyama Kiichi)
- Maeno Tomoya (Nakagiri Senta)
- Takahashi Daisuke (Kojo Rokuro; video message)
In response to questions from the host, they talked about their experiences during filming and how they prepared for their roles. Finally, they shared the following impressions of Kurashiki.
Santoki Soma
I was appearing in a morning drama during filming, and lots of people would call out, “I saw you in the morning drama!” I felt that people in this town are close to one another, in a good way.
Nakashima Runa
During filming and after it wrapped, I would wander around town a little.
I thought the lively daytime streets were wonderful, but I also loved the feeling of being enveloped by the quiet at night. It calmed me down and made me feel as if I’d come home. I could hear students’ voices in the distance, and it felt like youth.
Sakurai Kento
The people made the biggest impression on me. I love eating, so I went to all kinds of restaurants.
Someone said, “You’re filming here now? Then I’ll give you some fried shrimp,” and it was delicious. I experienced so much warmth from the people.
Horike Kazuki
I walked around the Bikan Historical Area all the time, both during filming and when I wasn’t working. But I never got tired of it.
Even after watching this movie, it makes me want to go back again. Through this film, I was reminded of how much charm the area has.
Maeno Tomoya
I guess it’s the number of delinquents, which the movie also depicts.
I don’t know what it’s like now, but when I lived there, I had the impression that there were a lot of delinquents. I was moved that the movie depicts that side of the city too. It doesn’t just make everything look pretty on the surface.
After this, a video message from Takahashi Daisuke, who was unable to attend the screening, was shown. He said the following.
Takahashi Daisuke
The people of Kurashiki and Okayama, where I was born and raised, are big-hearted and warm. I think the people of this prefecture have a nature that lets them move forward with open hearts. So, more than being a special place, it’s the best place in terms of how it makes me feel.
I think this movie really brings out the best of Kurashiki, so I hope people from Kurashiki will come see it at the theater.
Finally, director Hiramatsu Emiko gave a few remarks, bringing the preview screening to a close.
Director Hiramatsu Emiko
This is what we call a “Connecting Film.”
I hope people will embrace it as a movie that lets them appreciate what makes Kurashiki special. More than that, I want it to be a film that shares Kurashiki with the rest of Japan and connects people across the country with Kurashiki.
Preview party
The event then moved to Emerald Hall at Kurashiki Ivy Square, where the preview party was held.
Many guests attended the party. After remarks by Kazushi Watanabe, a member of the “A Town with a Storehouse” Executive Committee, and a bouquet presentation and speech by Kurashiki Mayor Kaori Ito to director Hiramatsu Emiko, the cast returned to the stage.
The party began with a toast led by Maeno Tomoya.
At the end of the event, committee member Tsuji Nobuyuki called for support with promotion, and the party came to a close.
From the Writer
I found myself in tears at the story’s climax.
Whether it was because I’ve hardly watched any movies in the past few years or because I’m getting older, as far as I can remember, it was a first for me.
Since the film was shot entirely in Kurashiki, familiar places and scenery appear in every shot. It gave me a different sense of immersion and felt fresh.
This is a film I hope everyone will see, especially Kurashiki residents and anyone with ties to the city.
Look forward to its release.
“A Town with a Storehouse” Information
| Name | “A Town with a Storehouse” |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, July 25, 2025: Kurashiki advance screening at MOVIX Kurashiki and other venues Friday, August 22, 2025: Nationwide release at Shinjuku Piccadilly and other venues |
| Location | MOVIX Kurashiki and other venues |
| Admission (tax included) | Nationwide special admission ticket: ¥1,500 *Scheduled to go on sale in April *Includes a bonus set of original postcards (limited quantity; not available at some theaters) |
| Website | Official website |
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