In November 2025, the chestnut specialty shop “Amaguriya Maruroku Bikan Historical Area Store” (hereafter referred to as “Maruroku”) opened in the Bikan Historical Area.
Chestnuts may bring autumn to mind, but Maruroku serves chestnuts all year round. You can also try Okayama Amaguri, grown in northern Okayama Prefecture.
As someone who loved buying roasted chestnuts in Chinatown as a child, I was intrigued. I headed straight to Maruroku to check it out.
It closed in July 2026.
The information below is from when it was open.
The information presented here is as of the article’s publication in December 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Chestnut specialty shop “Amaguriya Maruroku”
Amaguriya Maruroku Bikan Historical Area Store is a chestnut specialty shop that opened in November 2025 as a place to enjoy chestnuts all year round.
It is on the eastern side of the Bikan Historical Area. The shop is just beyond Honmachi-dori, a street lined with traditional buildings. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from JR Kurashiki Station, but it’s nice to enjoy the scenery of the Bikan Historical Area along the way.
There is no parking lot, so please use a nearby parking facility.
Inside the shop
Maruroku has a pressure-operated chestnut roaster outside the shop, where chestnuts are roasted on the spot.
Roasting takes about 15 minutes.
When heating is complete and the lid is opened, steam bursts out with a “psshhh,” spreading the faintly sweet aroma of chestnuts.
People passing nearby were also drawn in by the sight of the chestnuts roasting and gathered around.
Products
Maruroku offers three kinds of roasted chestnuts: Tianjin-style roasted chestnuts, Okayama Amaguri, and Nakayama chestnuts.
Each variety is sold in bags to take home, and Okayama Amaguri and Nakayama chestnuts are also available in cups. I ordered cups of Okayama Amaguri and Nakayama chestnuts, perfect for eating as you walk or comparing the two.
Okayama Amaguri, packed with sweetness
Okayama Amaguri is a variety developed by the Forestry Research Institute of the Okayama Prefectural Technology Center for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
It is mainly grown in the Shoei area in the northeastern part of northern Okayama Prefecture.
Small and yellow, it is sweeter than other Japanese chestnuts and easy to peel.
The chestnuts are stored at low temperatures for about four weeks after harvest to mature, which is said to enhance their sweetness.
When I tried one, I was surprised by how sweet it was.
It tasted like a Japanese chestnut confection, even though it had only been roasted. It was so delicious I immediately wanted a second one.
Large, eye-catching Nakayama chestnuts
These are “Nakayama chestnuts,” which stand out for their large size.
Nakayama chestnuts are grown in Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture.
Each one has a cut in it, so you can peel and eat it right there, which is a nice touch.
Each chestnut is large, making it very satisfying to eat.
Its fluffy, crumbly texture makes you feel as if you’re eating a sweet potato.
They also plan to sell chestnut-based sweets in the future.
Check Maruroku’s Instagram for the latest information.
Maruroku is a rare specialty shop selling roasted chestnuts.
A café where you can enjoy Okayama Amaguri is also planned for the same building, and the site is set to become a hub for promoting Okayama Amaguri.
We interviewed Kimura Satoshi, the coordinator for the entire facility, about why Maruroku opened and efforts to promote Okayama Amaguri.
Amaguriya Maruroku Bikan Historical Area Store details
| Name | Amaguriya Maruroku Bikan Historical Area Store |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-23 Higashimachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 09080094505 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Irregular holidays Check Instagram for details of closing days |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Available Products can be reserved by contacting the shop in advance |
| Seating | Added: An eat-in space is planned |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Added: Available inside the shop |
| Website | Amaguriya Maruroku Bikan Historical Area Store |
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