When considering a date plan in the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki, are you wondering, "What kind of shops are there?" or "Which restaurant should we go to for lunch?"
The Bikan Historical Area, which boasts one of the highest popularity in Okayama Prefecture, can get crowded on weekends if you don't plan well, making it difficult to enjoy your date efficiently.
If possible, you want to create a date plan that allows you to fully enjoy the Bikan Historical Area and make your girlfriend happy.
In this article, I will introduce a date plan for the Bikan Historical Area recommended by the Kurashiki web media "Kurashiki Tocotoco," written by an author who has lived in Kurashiki City for 24 years.
This is a model course that can be enjoyed luxuriously in a day, carefully selected with recommended date spots in the Bikan Historical Area, including both classic and hidden gems.
The author actually toured the model course with his girlfriend, and the punting boat experience at the end of the date was truly a memorable experience.
If you are planning a date, please use this as a reference and enjoy a fun time with your girlfriend.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the café "Yume Kukan Hashimaya" in the back of the Bikan Historical Area
The first recommendation is the renowned café “Yume Kukan Hashimaya”, which offers both a great atmosphere and high-quality food.
While enjoying the scenery of the Bikan Historical Area, you will arrive at the very calm "Higashi-dori" after passing through the main street.
One of the joys is walking through the charming, quiet narrow alleys.
“Yume Kukan Hashimaya” is a café that uses a building designated as a "Registered Tangible Cultural Property," which is a renovated rice storehouse over 140 years old.
The interior features a classic atmosphere that is different from a "kominka café," allowing you to enjoy lunch at a leisurely pace.
The lunch menu changes daily, so the content of the menu will be a surprise when you go on the day.
The manager of "Yume Kukan Hashimaya" has experience at the Italian restaurant "Trattoria Hashimaya" across the street, and their cooking skills exceed café quality, making it authentic.
When you introduce "Yume Kukan Hashimaya" for lunch, it is usually well-received.
However, the location of the café can be a bit difficult to find, so be sure to check the access details in the article below to avoid getting lost.
Take a break at the popular "Yamau Coffee Stand" on Instagram
After enjoying lunch, take a stroll through the Bikan Historical Area while sipping coffee at “Yamau Coffee Stand,” where you can enjoy delicious lattes.
The "latte" is the most popular, and for those who are not fond of coffee, the matcha latte is also delicious and recommended.
If you search for "Yamau Coffee Stand" on Instagram, you will find many people taking photos like the one below!
The combination of the scenery of the Bikan Historical Area and the emblem of Yamau Kamaboko Store is wonderful.
While walking around town, take photos at your favorite spots and post them on Instagram.
For details on the menu and access, please check the article below.
You can't miss "Ohara Museum of Art," a pride of Kurashiki!
Among the buildings in the Bikan Historical Area, the Ohara Museum of Art stands out with its presence.
It exhibits wonderful works from Western art to contemporary domestic and international pieces.
Among the works in the Ohara Museum of Art, El Greco's "Annunciation" is considered a miraculous piece that exists in Japan.
The Ohara Museum of Art has approximately 3,000 pieces in its collection. As of April 2019, about half of them are on display.
Although there are quite a number of works, if you have a ticket, you can visit the annex (Bunkan/Kougei and Toyokan) on another day.
If you want to enjoy it thoroughly, consider visiting on separate days.
![[Closed for Renovation] Ohara Museum of Art Bunkan - A museum that supports challenges to creativity and walks with the present](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/23060108/190215-101r-3.jpg)
Next to the Ohara Museum of Art, there is a museum shop where you can buy souvenirs.
There are goods inspired by the works in the Ohara Museum of Art, making it a great place for those looking for stylish souvenirs from Kurashiki.
The museum shop can be accessed without being an entrant to the museum, so be sure to check it out.
I have summarized the highlights and ways to enjoy the Ohara Museum of Art in the article below, so check it out before your visit to enhance your experience.
Let's take a snack break and enjoy Okayama's specialty, Cigar Fry, at "Café Biscuit"!
After thoroughly enjoying Ohara Museum of Art, let's take a break.
For a snack, I recommend Okayama's specialty "Kajitani Foods' Cigar Fry".
Located in a hidden spot called Kurashiki Teien, there is "Café Biscuit".
Since there is a garden, you might enjoy discussing your impressions of the date spots so far while relaxing.
At Café Biscuit, you can enjoy the "Cigar Fry" and "biscuits," which have been loved as a classic snack by Okayama residents for over half a century, with dips.
There are as many as 10 types of dips! It might be fun to choose your favorite flavor or try out a flavor that piques your interest?
Café Biscuit is recommended for a light break.
For details on the menu, prices, and access, please see the article below.
Let's experience "Punting Boat Rides on Kurashiki River" to create memories in the Bikan Historical Area!
Kurashiki River flows through the main street of the Bikan Historical Area.
The punting boats gracefully glide along Kurashiki River, and you can reserve a ride in advance.
“Punting Boat Rides on Kurashiki River” is an experience that I highly recommend, thinking, “You absolutely must do this when you come to the Bikan Historical Area!”
Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office sells tickets, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance.
Tickets may sell out, so I recommend going early.
(In this model course, after buying coffee at "Yamau Coffee Stand," I purchased a ticket for 4 PM)
Once you board the boat, you will feel an exhilarating sense of being in a different world.
The view of the Bikan Historical Area from Kurashiki River can only be seen from the boat.
You can see a different scenery than when you stroll around.
The time spent swaying in the boat passes quickly, but it will surely become a memorable experience.
If you come to the Bikan Historical Area, "Punting Boat Rides on Kurashiki River" is a must-do.
Be sure to enjoy the Bikan Historical Area with the punting boat ride.
For souvenirs, buy masking tape originating from Kurashiki at "TANE"
After finishing the punting boat ride, let's buy some souvenirs to take home.
Actually, Kurashiki is the birthplace of masking tape.
Let's look for your favorite masking tape at the specialty store “TANE”.
At "TANE," there are about 1,000 types of masking tape!
The entire wall of the store is covered with masking tape.
It's fun to look at the different patterns of masking tape, and it's also enjoyable to search for your favorite one!
For details on access to "TANE" and more, please see the article below.
Enjoy a date in Kurashiki with the model course in the Bikan Historical Area!
“Kurashiki Tocotoco” has introduced a model course recommended for a day trip date.
The author and her partner were able to enjoy a day in the Bikan Historical Area by following the model course.
While there are many other wonderful spots in the Bikan Historical Area, we have chosen date spots that allow for leisurely conversation while hitting the classic highlights, creating a model course that deepens the relationship between the two of you.
I hope this model course serves as a trigger for the Bikan Historical Area to become a place of memories.
Please refer to this model course when you are in need of ideas for a date with someone special.
- Models: Yabu Nao & Yuricheru couple
