The hot summer has passed, and the season suitable for walking around town has arrived.
Autumn festivals have also resumed in various places, and events are being held almost every week.
And speaking of autumn, it is the season of art.
From October, an event recommended for architecture enthusiasts is being held around the Bikan Historical Area.
While touring attractive buildings such as the "Ohara Museum of Art" which is the symbol of the Bikan Historical Area, and the "Kurashiki City Art Museum (formerly Kurashiki City Office)" designed by the great architect Kenzo Tange from the Showa era, you can collect "building cards" in a new style of architectural exploration called "Kurashiki Architourism."
I immediately went out to check it out.
What is "Kurashiki Architourism 2023"
"Kurashiki Architourism 2023" is being held from October 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, around the Bikan Historical Area, organized by the "Art Town Kurashiki" executive committee.
You can receive postcard-sized "building cards" at the following five locations.
- Ohara Museum of Art (next to the ticket sales area: luggage storage)
- Yurin-so Villa (next door across the passage, at the reception of Ohara House Katalyzer)
- Café El Greco (inside the counter)
- Kurashiki Church (next to the café entrance)
- Kurashiki City Art Museum (3rd floor office)
The collected "building cards" can be stored in the "Memory File" (500 yen, limited to 500 copies).
The "Memory File" is sold at the following locations.
- Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office
- Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan
- Café Sharon (inside Kurashiki Church)
- Ohara Museum of Art Museum Shop
- Café El Greco
I went to visit
First, I obtained the "Memory File."
I purchased it at the Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan.
With the leaflet in hand, let's start exploring the architecture.
Café "El Greco," located not far from the Kurashiki City Kurashiki Monogatari-kan.
The building, originally an office, has been repurposed into a café.
The name of the café comes from the name of the artist of the famous work "Annunciation," which is part of the collection of the Ohara Museum of Art.
Although it is not a facility of the Ohara Museum of Art, it has continued to serve as a museum café since its opening, and on the day I visited, it was bustling with many tourists.
Let's continue on to the Ohara Museum of Art.
Established in 1930 by Ohara Magosaburo, it is Japan's first full-scale museum dedicated to Western paintings and is a representative tourist spot of Kurashiki.
I have visited this place many times since I was a child, and I believe that the architecture by Yakushiji Kazue, resembling a Roman temple, harmonizes beautifully with the white-walled townscape, making it one of the representative views of Kurashiki.
Yurin-so Villa
This building, characterized by its green tiles, was built as a villa for the Ohara family.
The architectural design of Yurin-so Villa was also done by Yakushiji Kazue, just like the Ohara Museum of Art.
It is usually not open to the public, but it is specially opened several times a year during special exhibitions at the Ohara Museum of Art, and I visited it in May 2023.
Despite mixing Japanese, Western, and Chinese designs, they harmonize without any sense of discomfort, showcasing the architect's sense from that time.
The "Ima Bridge" in the foreground was also designed by Yakushiji Kazue, and the dragon relief was designed by Kojima Torajiro.
Kurashiki Church
"Kurashiki Church" is a church located a little north of the Bikan Historical Area.
The heavy stone building was designed by Isaku Nishimura and completed in 1923.
I had been curious about this building for a long time, but this was my first time entering the interior.
Events like this provide a good opportunity to visit.
It has been designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
They have set up a guidance sign at the entrance, making it easy to enter.
The interior of the chapel is characteristic of a Protestant church, with modest and simple decorations, yet it creates a warm atmosphere with wood.
Kurashiki City Art Museum (formerly Kurashiki City Office)
Kurashiki City Art Museum was built in 1960 as the Kurashiki City Office, but it was renovated into an art museum in 1983 following the relocation of the city office.
The design was created by Kenzo Tange, a representative architect of Japan, and the large eaves on the south side (the main entrance during the city office era) are utilized as a café space.
It was designated as a registered tangible cultural property by the national government in 2020.
The entrance is very open, and it is said that it also served as a civic hall when it was used as a city office.
During the G7 Kurashiki Labor and Employment Ministers' Meeting held in May 2023, it was used as the venue for the welcome reception, and I feel that the design philosophy of that time is still being carried on.
Conclusion
The most impressive place I visited this time was the Kurashiki Church.
It was my first time entering the church, and at that time, an orchestra was practicing.
The piece they were playing was "A Town with an Ocean View" (from Kiki's Delivery Service), and combined with the atmosphere inside the church, I felt an indescribably pleasant air.
The building cards can be obtained in pairs at various locations, and each has a bird's-eye view map from 1963 and 2005 on the back.
It is interesting to compare the town's appearance with that of the past.
Since the area is the Bikan Historical Area and its surroundings, 2 to 3 hours is enough to see everything.
This event is recommended not only for those interested in architecture but also for those who love the townscape of Kurashiki and repeat visitors who want to enjoy sightseeing from a slightly different perspective.
Data for Kurashiki Architecture Tourism 2023
| Name | Kurashiki Architecture Tourism 2023 |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024 |
| Location | Surroundings of Bikan Historical Area |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | The "building cards" are distributed for free at various locations, but an admission fee is required to visit the Ohara Museum of Art and Ohara House Katalyzer. |
| Website | Kurashiki Architecture Tourism 2023 |
