The Kurashiki River flows through the heart of the Bikan Historical Area, whose rows of willow trees and white-walled buildings make it beautiful.
The Kurashiki River is a second-class river about 14 km long, flowing from the Bikan Historical Area to Kojima Lake in Minami Ward, Okayama City.
Along the approximately 3 km stretch of river from the waterfront plaza downstream of Irifune Bridge at the southern end of the Bikan Historical Area to the lawn plaza in Tsubura, about 1,000 Kawazu cherry trees come into full bloom from February to March.
Kurashiki flourished as a hub for goods transported by water. Here, we share what it was like to stroll along the Kurashiki River in February 2023 and on February 27, 2024.
The information presented was current when this article was published in March 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
The Kurashiki River and Kurashiki River Senbonzakura Cherry Blossoms
The Kurashiki River Senbonzakura Cherry Blossoms were planted between 2006 and 2008 by the civic group Kurashiki River Senbonzakura Association, which is working to make the riverbanks a famous cherry blossom spot.
About 1,000 Kawazu cherry trees along the approximately 3 km stretch of river from Kurashiki River Waterfront Park (Funagura-cho) to Fukuhara Green Space (Ariki) come into full bloom around March each year.
Unlike Somei Yoshino, the variety commonly known as cherry blossoms, Kawazu cherry blossoms bloom gradually over time, allowing visitors to enjoy the flowers for longer.
The blossoms are deep red when in bud and turn pale pink when they open.
The Kurashiki River was once bustling with boats traveling along it.
In the Bikan Historical Area, you can also enjoy Punting Boat Rides on Kurashiki River, a chance to feel like a merchant from the Edo period.
Irifune-no-Michi Course: Kurashiki River Waterfront Park, North Section
First, we headed to Kurashiki River Waterfront Park, located south of the Bikan Historical Area.
Kurashiki Waterfront Park has free parking for about seven cars, but if it is full, you may want to park in the paid lot at nearby Geibunkan Hall.
The Geibunkan Hall parking lot is underground, and is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
▼ Parking fees at Geibunkan Hall are as follows:
| Time, etc. | Fee |
|---|---|
| Hourly parking | ¥100 per 30 minutes |
| 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Maximum ¥830 |
| 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. | Maximum ¥520 |
After parking the car, we took a leisurely walk along the Kurashiki River.
You can see the entrance to the Bikan Historical Area north of Geibunkan Hall.
We also recommend taking a break during your stroll at Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan, inside Geibunkan Hall.
![[Closed] Cafe Kurashiki Geibunkan — a long-established milk retailer's cafe, best known for its keema curry and sweets made with Shiro Bara milk](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/23054026/cafe-geibunkan-7.jpg)
We headed straight south from the Bikan Historical Area, following the Kurashiki River.
We also saw ducks gliding through the water, looking quite content.
After about a five-minute walk from Geibunkan Hall, we arrived at Kurashiki Waterfront Park.
We heard that the site, once a boat basin, was turned into a waterfront park with wisteria trellises, benches, and other amenities.
The Irifune-no-Michi Course follows about 4 km of embankment, from the waterfront plaza downstream of Irifune Bridge in Funagura-cho to the lawn plaza in Tsubura.
The dirt path is easy on the feet, and you can enjoy a stroll while experiencing the nature and history of your local hometown.
Let's set off and look for signs of spring.
Many Kawazu cherry blossoms, a deeper pink than Somei Yoshino, were blooming along the river.
We saw people with cameras, people enjoying a stroll, and students riding their bicycles through.
Pink blossoms stand out against the blue sky. As a writer with a camera, I couldn't help taking photo after photo. My gallery ended up full of similar pictures, but I didn't mind.
Take a close look at the photo above. Did you notice?
We spotted a Japanese white-eye drawn by the sweet scent of nectar from the Kawazu cherry blossoms!
Japanese white-eyes are yellow-green birds with white rings around their eyes. We managed to capture a springlike scene of a Japanese white-eye among the Kawazu cherry blossoms.
A child walking along the river was excitedly exclaiming, “So much pink!!”
Kurashiki River Shinsui Park on February 27, 2024
We visited Kurashiki River Shinsui Park on February 27, 2024. The blossoms were perhaps about half open. It was a scene that made us feel spring was on its way.
It was unfortunately cloudy, but seeing the cherry blossoms was soothing. I wonder if they’ll be at their best over the weekend (March 2 and 3).
The blossoms were at different stages depending on the location, with those along the road further along.
Heading to Fukuhara Green Space, south of the Irifune-no-Michi Course
Next, we headed to Fukuhara Green Space, about 3 km south of Kurashiki River Shinsui Park.
Fukuhara Green Space is north of the Sanyo Marunaka Amagi store in Ariki, Kurashiki City.
The Kurashiki City Ground Golf Course, which opened on October 1, 2019, is located within Fukuhara Green Space, and the grounds were bustling.
There is parking for about 130 cars and two buses.
Some people were energetically doing knee bends during radio calisthenics.
We also saw people enjoying running and cycling.
The pink Kawazu cherry blossoms stand out against the clear, pale blue sky in early March.
Birds and bees were busily flying about to drink the sweet nectar of the cherry blossoms.
The Kawazu cherry blossoms reflected in the Kurashiki River are so beautiful they take your breath away.
The path is flat and well maintained, making it easy to walk and ideal for a stroll.
Some people stopped to take photos.
Fukuhara Green Space on February 27, 2024
When we visited on February 27, 2024, the blossoms were less advanced than at Kurashiki Shinsui Park, which is closer to the Bikan Historical Area. Here and there, some trees had only a few blossoms, while others had none at all.
I have a feeling the blossoms at Fukuhara Green Space will be at their best around next weekend (March 9 and 10).
From the Writer
In March, the vivid yellow-green Japanese white-eyes, heralding the start of spring, and pink Kawazu cherry blossoms brighten the banks of the Kurashiki River.
It was my first time walking the Irifune-no-Michi Course, and I was able to take my time enjoying the Kawazu cherry blossoms and lose track of time.
During my roughly two-hour stroll, I realized I had taken more than 200 photos.
Why not take a leisurely stroll along the Kurashiki River and enjoy an early taste of spring?
Look, spring is just around the corner.
Kurashiki River Senbonzakura Cherry Blossoms details
| Name | Kurashiki River Senbonzakura Cherry Blossoms |
|---|---|
| Dates | Late February to early March |
| Location | Along the Kurashiki River (from Kurashiki Shinsui Park to Fukuhara Green Space) |
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