The tourist information facility " Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office " located in the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki City has completed approximately two years of renovation work and reopened on February 16, 2020.
"Kurashikikan" is a tourist information office that can also serve as a free rest area and has been a face of Kurashiki for over 100 years.
With the completion of the "much-anticipated renewal," it has become barrier-free and expanded the rest area.
It has become more convenient for families with children.
It seems to be a strong ally for tourism in Kurashiki.
We will deliver the details of the commemorative ceremony held on the day of the reopening.
What is "Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office"?
Kurashikikan Tourist Information Office is a facility that serves as both a tourist information office and a free rest area.
The building of "Kurashikikan" was constructed in 1917 as the town hall of Kurashiki Town (now Kurashiki City).
After serving various purposes such as a city office and employment agency, it opened as a tourist information facility in 1971.
In 2016, it was designated as an important cultural property by Kurashiki City.
It has also been a filming location for the live-action movie "Rurouni Kenshin" and the NHK morning drama "Carnation."
Overview of the Renovation Work
If you have seen Kurashikikan before the renovation, you might have the impression that "it hasn't changed much from before the renovation."
However, in reality, a large-scale renovation called semi-demolition work has been carried out.
It seems that only the framework of the pillars was left, and all the walls and floors were removed.
The renovation was carried out mainly for three purposes.
- Promotion of utilization
- Seismic reinforcement
- Preservation and repair
The main points of renovation are as follows.
- Installation of an elevator (11-person capacity, wheelchair accessible)
- Multi-purpose toilet (with universal seat and ostomate facilities)
- Conversion of toilets to Western-style
- Second floor converted into a rest area and hall
- Installation of nursing room, diaper changing table, and sink
Renovation work on cultural properties has many restrictions, and efforts have been made to retain as much of the original materials as possible while meeting seismic standards.
For example, the wooden materials of the interior walls were numbered during the dismantling process, repaired, and returned to their original locations.
Additionally, electrical equipment has been designed to be as inconspicuous as possible.
It seems that the air conditioning unit is located in the vertical lattice part of the above photo, but the author did not notice it until it was pointed out.
All lighting has been converted to LED.
The lighting visible from outside was installed in 2005 when the nighttime landscape lighting of the Bikan Historical Area was developed under the direction of world-renowned lighting designer Ishii Mikiko.
Only the bulb parts have been changed to LED.
The second floor was originally an office, so ordinary fluorescent lights were used.
The lighting equipment has been changed to match the atmosphere of the building.
The toilets have been increased in number, and the Western-style toilets are now equipped with washlets.
They can be accessed directly from both outside and inside the building, making them convenient.
Changes in the Building
The building of "Kurashikikan," completed in 1917, has a history of 103 years as of 2020.
When you hear "103 years ago," can you imagine what kind of era it was?
According to the memoirs left by Hara Sumiji, who was the honorary mayor of Kurashiki in 1918, there were only a dozen employees at the Kurashiki Town Hall at that time.
At first, everyone wore kimonos, and in an effort to adopt new things, they reportedly purchased Western-style clothing with the town hall's funds.
Additionally, in order to prosper as a cultural city, efforts were made to improve the water supply.
There are stories of people being moved to finally take a bath in clear water after the water supply was established.
Kurashikikan is a building that was constructed in such an era.
In 1970 and 1985, preservation and repair work was carried out, and in 2005, exterior painting work was done.
The semi-demolition work was the first large-scale renovation since its completion.
Flow of the Commemorative Ceremony
Greeting by Ito Kaori, Mayor of Kurashiki City
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the local stakeholders, experts related to the designated heritage area, and the businesses involved in the construction for being able to welcome the day of renewal today.
Located right in front of Nakahashi, "Kurashikikan" has become a tourist attraction.
I hope that tourists will utilize it as a place to convey the charm of Kurashiki and as a hub for tourism information.
We will continue to strive to fulfill our role as part of the cultural properties that constitute Japan Heritage.
Congratulatory Address
【Kurashiki City Council Vice Chairman Mimura Hideyo's congratulatory address】
I feel that a wonderful facility has been completed.
Kurashikikan is also a historical building designated as an important cultural property by Kurashiki City.
I hope you can take a break in this culturally valuable building, which exudes a unique presence among the white-walled streets, and enjoy the view of the Bikan Historical Area.
It would make me very happy if you could spend such a luxurious time.
I look forward to Kurashikikan developing as a facility loved and cherished by many, and to it energizing all of Kurashiki as it moves towards recovery.
【Kurashiki Chamber of Commerce Chairman Inoue Minehito's congratulatory address】
Kurashikikan will play a role in guiding the 3.6 million tourists who visit the Bikan Historical Area each year.
It has newly sprouted and has been revived in a wonderful form.
We also want to cherish Kurashikikan, which will provide various guidance and information to tourists, and we would like to back it up as the Chamber of Commerce.
Ribbon Cutting
The stakeholders cut the ribbon, and a fanfare resounded.
Guided Tour
Let's take a look inside the building.
On the first floor, there are a tourist information center, benches, coin lockers, and vending machines.
Tickets for Punting Boat Rides on Kurashiki River can also be purchased here.
On the second floor, there is a rest area, a nursing room, and a diaper changing station.
The view from the window showed the scenery along Kurashiki River.
Is it old glass? It is a window glass with character.
The benches and tables are from the bamboo furniture brand "TEORI" in Mabi, Kurashiki City.
I felt that the straight wood grain was beautiful and pleasant.
It's nice to be able to experience good things from Kurashiki in a subtle way.
Gift of Masking Tape from Kurashiki Komachi
Visitors to the renewal opening ceremony were given masking tape, a specialty of Kurashiki.
The design, inspired by Kurashiki townhouses, is chic and cute!
Performance by Kurashiki Sakuyo University Students
Finally, there was a performance by the saxophone quartet "Creation" from Kurashiki Sakuyo University.
From familiar songs like "Tsugaru Kaikyō Winter Scenery" to original pieces, and even a performance where they broke a saxophone while playing "The Saxophone Broke," a wide range of unique performances resonated, and guests of all ages enjoyed it.
Conclusion
Kurashikikan, one of the representative buildings of the scenery in the Bikan Historical Area, has been reborn into a building that can be used with peace of mind after about two years of construction, which addressed its noticeable deterioration before the renovation.
The view from the windows on the second floor is also quite nice.
From now on, tourism in Kurashiki will become even more convenient.
When you visit Kurashiki, please make sure to take advantage of it.
Data for the Kurashikikan (Tourist Information Office) Renewal Ceremony
| Name | Kurashikikan (Tourist Information Office) Renewal Ceremony |
|---|---|
| Date | Ceremony Date and Time: February 16, 2020, 10:00 AM～ Kurashikikan Business Hours: 9:00 AM～6:00 PM |
| Location | 1-4-8 Chuo, Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free of charge |
| Website | Kurashikikan (Tourist Information Office) | Kurashiki Tourism WEB |
