Get to Know Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
5
Get to Know Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
By TAKAHASHIGAWA TRAVEL
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About
In this tour, you will learn more about the heart of Kurashiki-Bikan district. A walk through the area under the guidance of a guide who will tell you about the city and interesting facts about it
You will learn about the main figures of Kurashiki, the history of the city, visit a former industrial workshop, and visit the main Bikan shrine. Discuss architecture, lifestyle, and much, much more.
Ages 0-60, max of 10 per group
Duration: 1h 40m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: Japanese, English
More
- Gratuities
- Start:
- Ōhara Museum of Art, 1-chōme-1-15 Chūō, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-8575, JapanThe meeting is opposite the Ohara Museum, which is located on the main street of Bikan.
End:- Hayashi Genjuro Shouten, 2-chōme-23-10 Achi, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-0055, JapanEnd at the observation deck, which is located on the 3rd floor of the Hayashi Genjuro Store.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 403258P1- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 403258P1
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 1-chōme-1-15 Chūō, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-8575, JapanThe meeting is opposite the Ohara Museum, which is located on the main street of Bikan.
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- 2-chōme-23-10 Achi, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-0055, JapanEnd at the observation deck, which is located on the 3rd floor of the Hayashi Genjuro Store.
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- jkumble0 contributionsA Unique Experience in KurashikiIf you are interested in embracing your inner nerd (and most of us have one, don’t we?) check out the private observatory in Kurashiki. Shoti met me on the street in front of the observatory and led me into this hidden gem. I sat on a recliner with a heated blanket (it was January, so the evening was a bit chilly) and I sipped the tea and ate the chocolates that Shoti brought to me. He told me about the history of the observatory and discussed the different objects that we were going to see in the night sky, including the moon, Jupiter and its moons, Mars, Sirius, and Betelgeuse. There is more than one telescope in the observatory, so while I looked through one telescope, he set up a different one. It was an enjoyable evening.Written January 19, 2025
- jkumble0 contributionsLovely KurashikiI had a great day in Kurashiki with Hiro, a fantastic guide whose family has lived in Kurashiki for over 300 years (9 generations), and Keiko, our wonderful interpreter (her family has been in Kurashiki for over 330 years 13 generations). Our time together started with a short (and very interesting) history lesson complete with illustrations, handouts, and visual aids. Then we toured lovely Kurashiki. We visited shrines and temples, strolled through the beautifully preserved town featuring homes and buildings from the Edo Period, as well as the Meiji Restoration, and saw the canals that run through Kurashiki. Hiro and Keiko are smart, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. They clearly love their hometown and it shows. They are excellent communicators. They gave me dining suggestions and told me of other points of interest in the area. Our tour ended at a charming cafe where I was treated to the coffee/tea drink of my choice and a sweet treat. After the tour, Hiro and Keiko walked me to the Ohara Museum of Art, which I enjoyed. I highly recommend a visit to Kurashiki.Written January 13, 2025
- Nikkituh0 contributionsFantastic Casual Night Out!This is a great, laidback experience! Unfortunately, it was really cloudy the night we booked the experience, but we did get to see the moon at least. And our guide was very knowledgeable and told us all about the telescope and history of the observatory. I highly recommend this!Written December 17, 2024
- 434adri_ns0 contributionsKimono ExperienceThe best experience ever. The photos were amazing, and the tour guide was very nice. Everyone was patient with us. This tour is a must.Written November 27, 2024
- 547libbys0 contributionsWe saw Saturn!We saw Saturn! 🪐 I wasn’t expecting to see a planet in such detail so it was a wonderful experience. The recliners are comfortable and perfect for star gazing. The location is easy to walk to and local to the old town. Not too far from the station either.Written September 27, 2024
- stephanietO3801GK0 contributionsRelaxing Space Viewing (with drinks and snacks!)We had an amazingly fun and relaxing time. After a hot summer day, this was the perfect way to end our trip in Kurashiki. We learned a lot about the history of the observatory and got to look at the moon and some stars together. I loved the drinks and snacks! Shota was an extremely knowledgeable and kind host - he suggested food options, picked us up and dropped us off, and answered emails promptly. We would like to come back during different seasons and a different time so we can see different constellations and planets! Thank you so much for everything and we are really looking forward to doing this again in the fall! 🍁Written August 10, 2024
- E169HTallanr0 contributionsRomantic Stargazing Evening and History LessonBooked an 8:15 p.m. appointment which was unfortunately double-booked. Fortunately, the tour guide was very helpful and after some back and forth, we were able to maintain our 8:15 p.m. timeslot. Viewed the moon through two different telescopes, and some very tasty beer and snacks were provided. We also got the chance to view Arcturus (a star) after requesting to see another celestial body other than the moon, which was really cool. Depending on the season and the weather, you can view other planets and stars. I wish we were able to view Jupiter or Saturn while we were there! After viewing the moon and Arcturus, the tour guide took photographs for us, and then we learned about the history of the location and its equipment. Overall, a fun, cute, and informative evening. I would recommend this to anyone in the area. 4/5 stars only due to the double-booking which caused a bit of hassle, and because it would've been nice to view some more stars.Written April 19, 2024
- gyaoza0 contributionsAn Unforgettable Exploration of the Real KurashikiThe essence of the real Kurashiki is perhaps best felt by relishing every sight and sound that unveils its beautiful and profound history. Despite having embarked on many tours during our 3-week honeymoon trip throughout Japan, none struck a chord quite as intimately as the half-day Kurashiki tour we went on with the Daihyō (managing director) of the business, a ninth-generation Kurashiki resident and, Keiko (also a multiple-generation Kurashiki resident) who is great at English having studied in America and England before. We went on a deep journey through both the history and lore of Kurashiki, and got to connect the past with the present throughout the tour. We learned about the culture and norms around the shrines. We were tomodachi, friends, sharing laughter and memories while learning about the ever-evolving story of Kurashiki. It's evident that Daihyo and Keiko don't merely show you around their city; they make you fall in love with it. This is not a tour run by guides, but by passionate and devoted Kurashiki natives sharing the charm of their beloved city with you. If you want to engage with Kurashiki at a level that's rare to find and enrich your Japanese experience with this inspiring half-day tour. Regardless of where our travels might lead us in the future, the unforgettable memories of our day exploring Kurashiki will forever be etched in our hearts. We also got great marriage advice! To Keiko -- we will look to smile and be happy with each other every day!Written October 2, 2023
- Bensmom550 contributionsFantastic morning spent with true locals born and raised in Kurashiki.The best historical, cultural and local walking tour around the Bizen historical area. Our guide was Hiroyuki Hara who has deep familia ties to the area. Since we only speak English, the tour company automatically hired an English interpreter (Keiko) at no cost to us. Such service!! We walked up to the Shinto shrine and the Buddhist temple and he explained the history starting with the Edo period and ending with the Meiji era and how the government rulings affected the common people of the area. He told us stories about the feudal loads of the area and the battle of Sekigahara (East vs West war) and how that affected the trade routes and agricultural items in Kurashiki. It was a fantastic morning making new friends and learning about how the local Japanese have had to adapt to the many changes of the government for the future of Kurashiki. If you like history and cultural traditions, then you will love this tour!!Written September 26, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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havaholiday
Coffs Harbour, Australia800 contributions
We enjoyed an excellent afternoon with our friendly guide, who was a local gentleman with a vast knowledge and love of Kurashiki. What a lovely place, and it was a pleasure to learn about its history and stories from the past, as well as visiting key places of interest, both sacred & commercial. Our visit and tour was in early September 2024 while staying in Okayama, and it was a short local train ride to Kurashiki to meet our guide. I would highly recommend this tour.
Written October 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for joining our tour. We are very glad you enjoyed it. We will pass your feedback on to our guide. Please visit Kurashiki again; we’ll be here with new tours, waiting to welcome you.
Written October 21, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Knyte7
Cocoa Beach, FL337 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Kata gave a good introduction to the sights in the Bikan Historical District in Kurashiki. Thanks for the tour.
Written May 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the feedback!
We will be glad to see you again :)
Written September 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.