I visited Ashimori, when I went along the Kibikogen bicycle trail (unfortunately the trail by-passes most attractions, hance, deviate from the trail and take the first bridge into Ashimori). There are to see: the old city plaza, now an interesting handicraft center, an old merchand house (it's a museum now, the entrance was free and there was not even a guardian!), a former samurai residence (the entrance was also free, but there was a guardian), a cute little garden and the birth-house of a famous poet (well, westeners will not know him) and lot of beautiful old houses along the main street, some in the style that one sees in Kurashiki. Unfortunately, you will have to visit by car or by bike, as the railway station is rather far away.