Tours & Activities in Kurashiki

Discover Kurashiki the traditional way: on a rickshaw. As a shogunate crown colony in the Edo period (1603~1868), Kurashiki enjoyed prosperity by storing goods and products from all over Japan. Alongside the canals are white-wall Japanese style warehouses and traditional Japanese houses with willow trees on the bank. This tour can be customized to your preferred departure time, ending point, and length.

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kurashiki! The main attraction in Kurashiki is its atmospheric Bikan quarter, an area of historic buildings along an old willow-edged canal, laneways lined with old wooden houses and shops, and perfectly preserved Edo period mills. Visiting Kurashiki Bikan is like takling a step back in time! Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Hiroyuki Hara, the famous Hara family that lived in Kurashiki for 400 years (Edo period), represents a deeper history of Kurashiki with an interpreter. Speaking of the origin and history of Kurashiki, we will visit places in the Bikan Historical Quarter. At the end of the tour, we will enter Cafe Ueda, established in 1972 and loved by the locals for a long time, you can talk with Hiroyuki Hara. You will experience the "real Kurashiki" that you cannot find on the Internet. You will be able to discover the charm of the Bikan Historical Quarter, which only locals who actually live in Kurashiki can talk about. Let's learn more about Kurashiki from the city's history, not just sightseeing. At the end of the tour, you will receive a wonderful souvenir.

Why don't you make your one and only Temari in the world? She usually runs a glasses shop, but for everyone's benefit, Grandma Yasue will teach you how to make them for those who come to Kurashiki! Temari has long been a favorite folk craft of Kurashiki. Temari is made by wrapping thread around a core filled with rice husks and embroidery. In this experience, you will start by embroidering the core that has been made in advance.

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced English Speaking tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kurashiki! The main attraction in Kurashiki is its atmospheric Bikan quarter, an area of historic buildings along an old willow-edged canal, laneways lined with old wooden houses and shops, and perfectly preserved Edo period mills. Visiting Kurashiki Bikan is like taking a step back in time! Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.

A qualified tea master will hold a full-fledged tea ceremony in a traditional tea room. You can listen to the etiquette of the tea ceremony and how to use the utensils while enjoying the matcha that is made in front of you and the beautiful Japanese sweets. It will be a wonderful experience.

If you are going to rent a kimono, why not walk through the photo spots? Don't worry! Our English-speaking guide will help you from the moment you rent your kimono to the end of the tour. If you want to wear a more authentic kimono, this is the place to go! There are more than 100 types of kimono to choose from.

The viewing room of Kurashiki Observatory, the first private observatory built in Japan, is available for one hour. A small bottle of beer and snacks will be provided. Why not spend a wonderful time lying on a reclining chair and looking at the night sky? On starry days, we will set up a telescope so you can see the stars to your heart's content. The "Kuraten Concierge" will be stationed at the facility to give you instructions on how to use and enjoy the telescope and other facilities, so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them anytime.

Let's try to deepen your understanding of the Japanese people's love of nature and the culture ikebana experience!! Firstly, the interpreter will explain the history and spirit of ikebana at a flower store that has been loved by the locals for 70 years. After that, you will be able to choose one type of flower for yourself. Then, You will travel from the flower store to the classroom through the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter with an interpreter. A teacher from Ikenobo, Japan's oldest school of Ikebana, who has been arranging flowers for 65 years, will teach you everything from techniques to etiquette. This tour is not just a hands-on experience, but also a springboard to a deeper understanding of Ikebana and Japanese culture. The spirit of ikebana is rooted in the idea of giving life back to life by arranging flowers that had once been cut off by plucking. If flower arrangement is an aesthetic of addition, ikebana is an aesthetic of subtraction.

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area ; "Even just an alley looks pretty" This area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the prefecture and is lined with specialty shops, including canvas, jean, and Japanese sake shops and cafes made from renovated traditional wooden townhouses. This area also offers other attractions, such as riverboat rides and the museum of art, and visitors will never get bored strolling in this area all day.

After exploring the art island of Naoshima, take a journey to Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter, where Japan’s traditional townscape has been beautifully preserved. However, reaching Kurashiki from Uno, the gateway to Naoshima, can be challenging due to the lack of direct public transportation. Travelers must transfer between buses and trains, and while the train is easier to navigate, it takes a longer, less efficient route. To eliminate this frustration and ensure a smooth, enjoyable trip through Okayama, we’ve created a hassle-free plan: a direct shuttle from Uno to Kurashiki, followed by a guided walking tour through the historic district. Experience the best of Okayama without the stress of navigating public transport!

Explore Kurashiki’s rich history and beautiful streets on this two-hour short tour with a British-made Brompton bicycle. Starting from Kurashiki Station, the tour enters the Bikan Historical District, Kurashiki Archaeological Museum, and a local café. Enjoy a relaxed cycling experience through the historical streets of Kurashiki, packed with memorable sights within a short time.

In Kurashiki, you can explore a beautifully preserved townscape lined with 400-year-old traditional Japanese houses—without the overwhelming crowds. Enjoy a peaceful night stroll through the historic district! Okayama Prefecture is a food lover’s paradise, blessed by both the Seto Inland Sea in the south and the Chūgoku Mountains in the north. From Chiya beef, Okayama’s historic Wagyu, to fresh Spanish mackerel (sawara), conger eel (anago), and octopus, there are plenty of must-try local delicacies. Plus, with numerous sake breweries, Okayama is home to some of the finest Japanese sake. If you're worried about navigating unfamiliar restaurants or figuring out what to order, our guide will be there to assist you. With no need to worry about payments (unless you order extras), you can fully relax and immerse yourself in an authentic Japanese nightlife experience!

This is the only tour that allows you to visit the Kurashiki Museum of Folk Craft with a folk craft expert and a nationally-licensed guide! (As of September 2023) By touring the Kurashiki Museum of Folk Craft with a folk art expert and interpreter, who usually does not have written explanations of the exhibits, you can learn more about folk craft and the exhibits!

On this day, you will have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Seto Inland Sea area, experiencing its unique scenery and savoring its best known soul food: udon noodles. In this tour you will be able to prepare them from scratch with the help of a local udon chef that will teach you how to master traditional recipes passed down through generations! The inclusions for this day are: ・Udon making workshop by an experienced udon master ・Lunch set featuring udon noodles prepared by you and side dishes provided by the shop Yui Prima Olivia vehicle will provide you with hassle-free access to local areas that would not be easily reachable by other means of transportation. Inside the bus, our dedicated attendants cater to your every need, providing beverages, travel tips, and unparalleled service in both English and Japanese. [ROUTE] Kurashiki (boarding) → Seto Ohashi Bridge → Takamatsu (boarding) → udon making → Dogo (drop off) → Matsuyama (drop off)

Enjoy the history and scenic beauty of Kurashiki on a leisurely 3.5 hours cycling tour with the British-made Brompton bike. Guided in English, this tour takes you to hidden gems known only to locals, such as the picturesque Bikan District, artisan workshops, and a café on a strawberry farm. Experience Kurashiki’s unique charm and the warmth of local hospitality, creating a special journey that will linger in your memory.

Experience a luxurious cycling tour around Kojima with the stunning island-dotted landscape of the Seto Inland Sea as your backdrop. Ride a stylish Brompton bike along scenic coastal routes and discover the history behind Kojima's transformation into the “Denim Capital of Japan.” With Brompton’s comfortable ride, you’ll also have access to hidden spots along the way. Enjoy Kojima’s natural beauty and history for a memorable experience.

If you are curious about off-the-beaten-path locations in Japan, this is the tour for you! On this day, you will have the rare opportunity to enjoy a homemade lunch prepared by a local islander on Megijima, the island of Ogres. The Yui Prima Olivia vehicle will provide hassle-free access to local areas that may be difficult to reach by other means of transportation. Inside the bus, our dedicated attendants will cater to your every need, providing beverages, travel tips, and unparalleled service in both English and Japanese. [ROUTE] Kurashiki (boarding) → Seto Ohashi Bridge → Takamatsu Port (boarding) ~ Megijima island homemade cuisine ~ Takamatsu → Dogo (drop off) → Matsuyama (drop off)