Kurashiki

Located between Kyoto and Hiroshima, Kurashiki has a delightful district of ancient black-tiled warehouses connected by canals filled with carp, and ornate bridges linking the narrow pedestrian lanes. During the Tokugawa period, the rich farmland surrounding Kurashiki produced high-quality Bizen-mai rice, and these warehouses date from that period when they were used to store rice before it was shipped to other parts of Japan. Today many of the warehouses have been restored and converted into museums and galleries, including Kurashiki’s pride and joy, the impressive Ohara Museum of Art, which boasts many famous works including pieces by Monet, Picasso and Renoir.