The Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki is a town where streetscapes from the Edo period remain, making it a wonderful place to wear Japanese clothing.
Why not stroll around town wearing your favorite yukata or kimono?
It’s fine if you don’t own one or don’t know how to put one on.
Rent one and have it professionally dressed, and you can easily explore the area in Japanese clothing.
There’s even a phrase, “yukata magic,” because yukata are so charming.
For a date, a group trip, or a graduation trip.
Wearing something different from usual is sure to make your date or trip feel fresh and exciting.
The information provided was current when this article was published in August 2020. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Rent a kimono at Kimono Roman
First, rent a yukata or kimono.
The writer recommends the rental kimono shop “Kimono Roman.”
At Kimono Roman, you can rent from around 150 types of yukata, more than 100 types of regular kimono, and about 40 styles for women and 15 for men of denim kimono.
If you own one, of course you can wear it.
However, there are many advantages to using a rental shop!
Kimono Roman offers the following benefits:
- A professional will dress you, so your outfit is less likely to come undone
- Getting dressed takes little time (about 15 minutes for women and 5 minutes for men to put on a yukata)
- You can change near the entrance to the Bikan Historical Area
- You can borrow a bag to match your yukata and leave your belongings behind
- You can try colors and patterns you haven’t worn before
- You can choose with advice from the staff
- There are so many options that it’s easy to put together a coordinated look
- Hair styling is also available as an option
It’s very easy to wear.
And there’s a couples’ discount!
You can also choose distinctive yukata and obi, such as denim kimono and Kojima obi.
During our visit, we said, “He’d like to wear a denim kimono, and she’d like a yukata!” They suggested an outfit pairing a purple yukata pattern for the woman with a purple obi for the man.
It’s fun to wonder, “Which one suits me better?”
You don’t often get to see each other in yukata.
You might get butterflies seeing your partner in a look so different from usual!
Now, let’s explore the Bikan Historical Area.
Cool off in the bamboo grove at Kurashiki Yoimachi GARDEN
We headed straight for the area called “Kurashiki Yoimachi GARDEN.”
Kurashiki Yoimachi GARDEN has the following shops and garden:
- Parlor Kudamono Komachi
- Machiya Salon & Gallery Seiyuan
- Italian Restaurant Hoshi no Hikari
- Bamboo Grove Strolling Garden
The bamboo grove is perfect for a stroll or a break, and it goes well with Japanese clothing!
You can simply stop by the bamboo grove, or enjoy tea on the terrace at the fruit parlor and cafe “Parlor Kudamono Komachi.”
Enjoy soft-serve ice cream, fruit parfaits, drinks, and more made with fruit from Okayama, the “Fruit Kingdom,” while gazing at the bamboo grove.
It’s also illuminated at night, making it especially atmospheric after dusk.
Visit Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft, converted from an Edo-period rice storehouse
Next, we recommend Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft.
Mingei means “folk crafts.”
Kurashiki Museum of Folkcraft was the second mingei museum established in Japan, and displays household items collected from around the world.
Experience “the beauty of utility”—the beauty of everyday objects that comes from their practical purpose.
The building, converted from a rice storehouse built in the late Edo period, is also lovely!
You can also buy folk crafts at the shop.
Enjoy a Japanese lunch at Kamoi Restaurant
For lunch, head to “Kamoi Restaurant,” a Japanese restaurant with a wide-ranging menu and lovely views.
We ordered tempura bukkake udon and tempura zaru udon.
Bukkake udon originated in Kurashiki.
Kamoi’s bukkake udon has noodles kneaded with kinako made from Tanba black soybeans grown in Mabi, Okayama Prefecture.
The cold noodles felt refreshing on a hot day.
We also tried sushi made with mamakari, a fish specialty of Okayama.
You can enjoy classic Japanese dishes such as udon, soba, tempura, and sushi, so it’s likely to be popular with visitors from overseas, too.
The restaurant is along the Kurashiki River, and its dining-room windows are large, so you can look out over the Bikan Historical Area while you eat.]
Take a leisurely stroll around Kurashiki Ivy Square
For a change of pace, let’s visit a Western-style spot, too.
This complex of hotels, restaurants, and other facilities was created by preserving and reusing as much as possible the exterior and trees of the original factory where Kurashiki Spinning Works (now KURABO INDUSTRIES LTD.) was founded in the Meiji period.
In summer, ivy grows thick and the walls turn green.
It was chosen as a filming location for a scene in the NHK morning drama “Massan” where the main characters, Massan and Ellie, meet.
The brick walls built when the factory was operating feature a pattern called “English bond,” in which the long and short sides of the bricks alternate.
I Tried the Summer Chilly Kurashiki Sweets Stamp Rally
The “Summer Chilly Kurashiki Sweets Stamp Rally” was held from July 1 (Wed) to August 31 (Mon), 2020.
By collecting three or five stamps, which you receive when you buy “chilled sweets,” you can enter a prize drawing.
To take part, pick up a pamphlet at Kurashikikan (tourist information center), or print the PDF file from the event’s official website.
We got a pamphlet at Kurashikikan and headed to the participating shops.
There were so many tempting sweets, including soft-serve ice cream, shaved ice, and parfaits—it was hard to choose!
We were surprised to see just how many cold treats you can enjoy in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area.
Enjoy a Japanese-Style Soda Float at Ozakiya
After much deliberation, we made our way to Ozakiya.
Ozakiya sells fish cakes such as chikuwa and kamaboko, as well as dried goods, but you can also buy shaved ice and cream sodas.
We ordered the “Colorful Soda Float (Muscat).”
It’s a cute Japanese-style float drink topped with oiri.
We took a break on a bench along the Kurashiki River in front of the shop.
The muscat flavor was nice and strong, and we were delighted: “It’s not just cute—it’s delicious!”
Shopping at Kurashi Utsuwa Tenugui Gocha
Next, it was time to shop.
We visited Kurashi Utsuwa Tenugui Gocha, located inside the Kurashiki Craft Work Village complex.
With a wide selection of tenugui featuring modern, traditional, and cute designs, it’s a really fun shop.
They have more than 300 designs, including their own originals.
There were also designs perfect as souvenirs from Okayama.
There were several designs, including peaches, mamakari fish, and the “Castle in the Sky” (Bitchu Matsuyama Castle)—so cute!
Tenugui are easy to buy and carry, and can be used in all sorts of ways.
Why not give one to each other as a keepsake?
Admire the Kurashiki River from a Bridge
Kurashiki prospered as a hub for the collection and distribution of goods.
From the Edo period through the early Showa period, large quantities of cargo were transported along the Kurashiki River.
Be sure to take in the view of the Kurashiki River from a bridge.
Punting Boat Rides on Kurashiki River are also recommended.
Imabashi Bridge, which connects the Ohara Museum of Art and Ohara House Katalyzer, features designs of chrysanthemums and dragons, so be sure to look for them.
See a Characteristic Kurashiki Building at Ohara House Katalyzer
The former Ohara family residence, designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, was transformed into an exhibition and exchange facility called Ohara House Katalyzer.
Take in the traditional town-house architecture characteristic of Kurashiki.
It’s also great that photography is allowed.
The detached reception room, with its beautiful garden views, is especially recommended.
Things to Keep in Mind on a Yukata/Kimono Date
The key to a yukata/kimono date is to be more considerate than usual and check whether your partner is tired or uncomfortable.
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area is compact enough to get around on foot, with plenty of cafes and restaurants.
It’s reassuring to know that it’s easy to take a break if you get tired.
There are so many appealing shops that you may have trouble choosing one.
Also, wearing a yukata makes your stride shorter than usual, so it’s best not to pack too much into your schedule and to walk at a leisurely pace.
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area Is Perfect for a Yukata/Kimono Date
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area has many photogenic spots.
It’s a town where traditional Japanese clothing really stands out, so be sure to take lots of photos and enjoy your date or trip.
- Model: Hi-kun
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
