The townscape that has continued since the Edo period remains in Kurashiki.
In modern times, over 100 years later, it has become a place that retains representative scenery of Japan, attracting tourists from all over the country and the world.
When visiting Kurashiki, one tends to focus on the kurayashiki (storehouses) lined up in the Bikan Historical Area, but in fact, there are also buildings from the Meiji period, Taisho period, and up to the present, allowing us to see the process of the town changing over time.
The Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally is an event that not only visits the kurayashiki of the Edo period but also the buildings from the Meiji period onwards, and anyone with a smartphone can participate.
To explore the history of Kurashiki, a student attending a university in Okayama Prefecture, Kashimoto Riyo, followed the guide of the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally and took a stroll around the Bikan Historical Area.
Let’s rediscover the charm of Kurashiki through the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally.
Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally
Overview of the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally
The Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally is an event where participants collect stamps using their smartphones while visiting checkpoints such as Japan Heritage designated cultural properties centered around the Bikan Historical Area in Kurashiki City.
Two courses are available: the River Course and the Mountain Course, each with 7 checkpoints.
The required time is 1 to 2 hours.
By visiting 6 or more checkpoints on either course, participants can enter a lottery to win prizes such as Kurashiki Glass cups, tote bags, and masking tape.
How to Participate in the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally
You can participate by accessing the dedicated site from your smartphone and registering the necessary information.
Participation is free, and anyone with a smartphone can join.
The event period is from Wednesday, December 1, 2021, to Monday, January 31, 2022.
Kurashiki Town Walking Map
The Kurashiki Town Walking Map is a website where you can view maps from three different eras, accessible from digital devices such as smartphones.
The available maps are Kurashiki City Bird's Eye View Map - 1963, Kurashiki City Bird's Eye View Map - 2005, and Old Town Name Map.
You can enjoy the changes in the town of Kurashiki.
There are various buildings from the Edo period onwards along the course of the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally, and some may want to learn more about the notable buildings.
By utilizing the Kurashiki Town Walking Map, you can check the details of the buildings.
Participating in the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally
Participants of the Kurashiki Town Walking
Let’s actually participate in the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally and explore Kurashiki.
Joining me is Kashimoto Riyo, a student attending a university in Okayama Prefecture.
We walked around the Bikan Historical Area while visiting the checkpoints.
I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of scenery we will encounter!
First Checkpoint
To participate in the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally, let’s head to the first checkpoint at Achi Terrace Kurashiki!
Achi Terrace Kurashiki is a complex facility that opened on October 10, 2021, combining a hotel, apartments, and commercial facilities.
The first checkpoint is located at the entrance of the community exchange space Achi Terrace Spot on the second floor of Achi Terrace Kurashiki.
When we climbed the stairs to the second floor, we found the entrance to the community exchange space Achi Terrace Spot.
At the door of the community exchange space Achi Terrace Spot, we discovered the first checkpoint sticker!
Let’s open the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally site and scan the QR code.
If "Stamp GET" is displayed, it means you have reached the checkpoint.
With the first stamp in hand, we are finally off!
Departing for the River Course
After receiving the stamp at the first checkpoint, let’s set off right away.
We chose the River Course, which allows us to enjoy the historical townscape that flourished due to the canal, while exploring the area around the Kurashiki River.
We walk down a small alley that continues south from Achi Terrace Kurashiki.
After a few minutes of walking, we discovered the first checkpoint!
There is a sticker with a QR code affixed to a stone pillar about the height of an adult's waist.
The stone pillar has the old town names that were used from 1965 to 1971, which were enacted by the former Kurashiki City in 1935 and discontinued due to administrative maintenance.
Additionally, there were explanations engraved that reveal the history of the land, including the origins of the old town names.
There are also waterways and buildings around that have remained since that time, making it a rich experience to walk while searching for traces of history.
To the Bikan Historical Area
Following the River Course, we pass through the Bikan Historical Area, a representative tourist destination of Kurashiki City.
Let’s enjoy the townscape of the Edo period while searching for checkpoints.
The first checkpoint within the Bikan Historical Area is Ohara House Katalyzer.
Ohara House Katalyzer is the residence of the Ohara family, who greatly contributed to the modernization of Kurashiki, and has been inhabited by generations of businesspeople since the late Edo period.
It is a nationally designated important cultural property, and since April 1, 2018, it has been open to the public as a facility for displaying the history of the Ohara family and architecture from the Edo period, Ohara House Katalyzer.
We found the checkpoint at the entrance of Ohara House Katalyzer!
Ohara House Katalyzer is also designated as a cultural property of Japan Heritage.
We discovered a signboard displaying information about Japan Heritage with a QR code!
From near Ohara House, you can enjoy the view of the Kurashiki storehouses that symbolize Kurashiki.
By following the guide for the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally, I was able to enjoy the charming scenery of the Bikan Historical Area.
Departing from Ohara House, I proceed along the Kurashiki River while visiting the checkpoints.
There are also back alleys included in the course that first-time visitors might not venture into.
The atmosphere is different from the scenery of shops and storehouses lining the Kurashiki River.
I was able to explore the Bikan Historical Area thoroughly.
Stamp Collection Achieved
I have returned to Kurashiki Chuo Street after passing through the Bikan Historical Area.
I discovered the sixth checkpoint of the river course!
Since it is a stone pillar that I usually do not pay attention to, I passed by it without noticing it at first.
Searching for checkpoints and wandering around is one of the joys of the stamp rally.
When I found it, my spirits lifted!
There is a QR code attached to the stone pillar, so I scan it with my smartphone.
Once you collect six stamps, you can apply for a prize drawing.
While you can participate in the drawing with six stamps, we collected a seventh stamp and conquered all the checkpoints set up for the river course.
Once you collect six stamps, you will be able to access the prize application site, so fill in the necessary information and register.
I can't wait for the results of the drawing!
Participating in the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally
If you stroll relying on the information written in the tourist guide, you will be able to see the townscape of the Edo period that represents Kurashiki.
Of course, you can feel the charm of Kurashiki just from the townscape of the Edo period, but for those who want to know more about Kurashiki, walking while looking at buildings that reflect the changes of the times may lead to new discoveries.
Human activities are not clearly divided by era, but are part of a continuous flow.
From the Edo period, the town's appearance, which mixes buildings from the Meiji period, Taisho period, and modern times, allows you to feel the passage of time.
I also enjoyed the town of Kurashiki while feeling the flow of time by participating in the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally.
I hope you participate in the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally, where you can enjoy the changes of the historic town of Kurashiki from a different perspective.
- Model: Kashimoto Riyo
Data on the Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally
| Name | Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally |
|---|---|
| Event Dates | December 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022 |
| Location | Kurashiki City Center |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free |
| Website | Kurashiki Town Walking Digital Stamp Rally |
