Interview with the three project planners
We interviewed three people: Hiromichi Shimizu from the City Planning Promotion Division of the Urban Development Department, Construction Bureau, Kurashiki City; and Jiro Komoto and Nahoko Nakagawa from Urabe Sekkei Co., Ltd.
The inspiration: digitizing Naoki Okamoto’s bird’s-eye-view illustrations
What inspired you to create the Kurashiki Walking Map?
Komoto (honorifics omitted)
It began when we at Urabe Sekkei spoke with the Urban Development Promotion Division, whom we had worked with for some time.
We asked, “How about creating a digital map to uncover new charms of the town?” They said, “Absolutely!”
We’ve always loved the bird’s-eye-view illustrations drawn by Mr. Okamoto.
They’re so wonderful that, one or two years ago, we took some renowned architects and architectural critics to see the place where Mr. Okamoto’s bird’s-eye-view illustrations are displayed.
They were very surprised, too.
They even blurted out, “I had no idea Kurashiki had something like this! It’s amazing!”
An editor from a publishing company who happened to be with us at the time said, “I know a company that can turn hand-drawn maps into digital maps.”
They said it was fun because the map is linked to your GPS location, making you feel as if you’re walking around inside the map.
They also said, “Since you can zoom in on a digital map, people might be able to appreciate what makes the bird’s-eye-view illustrations so interesting.”
Hearing that, I thought I’d like to put it to use for the town, so I got in touch with the Urban Development Promotion Division.
A map not on paper or in an app, but in a browser
The Kurashiki Walking Map can only be viewed in a browser, right?
Nakagawa (honorifics omitted)
That’s right. There are many options now, such as paper and apps, but we’ve deliberately made it browser-only.
We also thought that viewing it digitally would better convey the beauty of Mr. Okamoto’s bird’s-eye-view illustrations.
Mr. Okamoto’s bird’s-eye-view illustrations depict details of everyday life at the time, such as people and cars.
You can certainly enjoy the paper bird’s-eye-view illustrations sold at places like Hayashi Genjuro Shoten, but being able to zoom in digitally makes them even more enjoyable.
You can even tell what make and model a car is (laughs).
That’s thanks to the inherent power of Mr. Okamoto’s bird’s-eye-view illustrations, but you can discover a different kind of interest than you would by looking at them on paper.
We also chose not to make it an app because every time you open the URL, you can enjoy the latest version without having to update anything.
How has Kurashiki changed? The reality
Being able to zoom in must help even people who have lived in Kurashiki for a long time discover something new. In reality, how has the town of Kurashiki changed?
Shimizu (honorifics omitted)
Developments such as the redevelopment of the town center are carried out based on various plans drawn up by Kurashiki City.
One such plan was the Kurashiki City Central Urban Area Revitalization Basic Plan, established in 2010 for the area around JR Kurashiki Station and the Bikan Historical Area. We are now in its third phase (2021).
| Kurashiki City Central Urban Area Revitalization Basic Plan | Period | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | March 2010–March 2015 | 1. Enhance the town’s appeal by making use of the traditional culture Kurashiki has preserved and nurtured 2. Create a town that is enjoyable to explore on foot and comfortable to live in 3. Attract people to the town center and promote exchange |
| Phase 2 | April 2015–March 2021 | Same as above |
| Phase 3 | April 2021–March 2026 | 1. Enhance the town’s appeal by making use of historical and traditional resources 2. Create a town center that is convenient and comfortable to live and work in 3. Create a town center where people gather and interact |
It all began with the desire to do something about the decline in foot traffic in the town center, prompted by factors such as large retail stores leaving the area around the station and the growth of suburban stores.
In Phase 1, major hubs were created, including attracting a large-scale mixed-use commercial complex north of JR Kurashiki Station and developing retail and dining facilities around the Bikan Historical Area. In Phase 2, attractive hubs were created through renovations of machiya townhouses and old houses.
The first phase created hubs, and the second further drew out the appeal of Kurashiki, developing the area so people could explore both the north and south sides of town.
And now we’re in the third phase.
We’re at the stage of creating ways for people to explore east and west as well as north and south.
As part of that, we’re going to use tools like the Kurashiki Walking Map.
Komoto
Kurashiki City is also working every day toward making Kurashiki a more comfortable place for its residents.
The goal isn’t just tourism; we’d especially like local people to rediscover the appeal of their own town.
The appeal of Kurashiki through an architect’s eyes
After creating the Kurashiki Walking Map, did the two of you at Urabe Sekkei gain any new insights? As architects, how do you see the town of Kurashiki?
Komoto
There’s nowhere else in Japan like a compact, concentrated town such as Kurashiki, where good things from each era have accumulated over time.
For example, the Edo-period residences that flourished when the area prospered through water transport and rice warehouses have become Ryokan Kurashiki and the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum.
Many buildings have been preserved and passed down while honoring their history.
Meanwhile, when industries related to cotton developed, the town prospered around spinning mills, and Western-style buildings began to appear.
Around the same time, places such as Kurashiki Ivy Square were established, and the town transformed into a “tourist town” where people walk around to see old buildings.
And now, initiatives such as creating commercial facilities in old houses are being realized with the support of the Urban Development Promotion Division.
The town still retains traces of its days of prosperity through water transport, and the newly built Western-style buildings have also been designed to further enhance its appeal.
From an architect’s perspective, you can see that “what we have today has been shaped by considering how to improve the town as a whole, rather than asserting ourselves.”
Nakagawa
When I took a photo from near the entrance to Honmachi, I thought it was truly wonderful that the Edo-period residence, Western-style building, and commercial facility all appeared together without looking out of place.
Walking through the morning mist, the scenery is so beautiful you wonder, “What era have I come to?”
Every time I visit, I’m captivated by the town.
Komoto
Our founder at Urabe Sekkei, Shizutaro Urabe, designed Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel and the Ohara Museum of Art Annex, among other buildings.
Urabe was, of course, also influenced by the town of Kurashiki and Soichiro Ohara.
He designed concrete buildings, but took care to ensure they wouldn’t spoil the townscape.
I think the underlying philosophy was, “Let’s build new buildings that make the old ones look even better.”
I think this town brings together evidence of how, in every era, people have lived with consideration for those around them, so that everyone can be happy.
That’s why I’d like people who live in Kurashiki to notice the town’s appeal even more.
I’d be happy if the Kurashiki Walking Map gave people a chance to learn how the town of Kurashiki came to be as it is today.
Today’s Kurashiki is a legacy shaped by the changes of each era.
Recommended ways to enjoy the Kurashiki Walking Map
This map can be used in many ways to “learn about the town’s changes over time.” Do you have any recommended ways to enjoy it?
Nakagawa
First, try visiting the places marked with pins on the map.
We’ve selected easy-to-understand places that show the characteristics of Kurashiki.
For buildings, these range from kura residences to commercial facilities created by renovating old houses.
For places other than buildings, we’ve placed pins on the Kurashiki River and Achi Shrine, among others.
Komoto
To experience the flow of time, I recommend walking around the Honmachi area.
There are Edo-period kura residences such as the Inoue Residence, as well as Western-style buildings such as Sanraku Kaikan.
There’s also Kurashiki Craft Work Village, created by renovating old houses, making this a place where you can clearly see how the town has changed.
Shimizu
Walk around the town center, then open the Kurashiki Walking Map when you reach your destination.
When it comes to comparing the past and present, residents are the ones who can do it best.
This isn’t a tourist guide map; we hope people will use it as an exploration map for discovering the town’s appeal.
I hope it will give people a reason to walk around town, saying things like, “This town used to be like that, but it’s changed,” or “It’s become so modern that I can’t make sense of it anymore.”
From the Writer
Walking around town with the Kurashiki Town Walking Map in hand, time flew by.
Every time I reached a destination, I found myself wondering excitedly, “What did this view look like before?” and “When was this building built?”
I thought it would be even more fun to walk around town with friends or family who have lived in Kurashiki for a long time.
There is still so much I don’t know about central Kurashiki.
I plan to head out into town again, with the Kurashiki Town Walking Map as my companion.
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