Making Each Day Count

Today I am excited to bring you to the next stop of our week-long adventure through Japan: the charming city of Kurashiki in the Okayama Prefecture. Kurashiki is known for its beautifully preserved canals and historic houses that date back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). Also known as the Tokugawa Period, this era marked the rule of the Tokugawa family, and is renowned as the time of peace, political stability and economic growth that set the scene for modern Japan.

From Himeji station, D and I caught a train going back to Shin-Kobe Station where we boarded the Shinkansen, Japan’s iconic bullet train, bound for Okayama Station. It was our first time experiencing the Shinkansen, and we were blown away by the speed and the scenery that flew past us as we made our way to our Okayama.

Thirty-seven minutes later, we arrived at Okayama Station and transferred to the Hakubi Line local train for Kurashiki Station. In total, our journey from Himeji to Kurashiki took just about an hour.

The Airbnb we stayed at was just a short walk from the city’s most popular attraction: the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. It is referred to as Japan’s own Venice by www.japan.travel.

After we settled in our Airbnb, the first order of business was an early dinner and a stroll around the neighborhood. Our host recommended her husband’s restaurant, Kaisen-to Shari, where D and I enjoyed a fantastic meal of unagi maki, roast beef and salmon sashimi. The food was delicious, the seafood was fresh, and the drinks we paired them with added to the fantastic experience. Our host mentioned that the restaurant had been featured in a magazine, and it was easy to see why. It left a wonderful impression on us.

Here is link to my review of the Kaisen-to Shari restaurant in Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6oyDJWQUsWsPyRk46

After dinner, D and I took a quiet evening stroll through the streets of Kurashiki. A little later, we hurried back to the Airbnb as the drizzle began to intensify. We took it as a sign to wind down for the night. With a full next day ahead of us, we turned in early, ready to make the most of tomorrow’s visit to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.

Monday morning greeted us with heavy rain, and a quick check on the Weather app confirmed that it would continue through the next few days. Fortunately, our trusty folding umbrellas, now a staple in our trips abroad, were ready to be put to good use once again.

When we arrived, the town was serene, with only a handful of visitors around and a couple of swans gliding through the canal. We wandered through the historic district, admiring the well-preserved houses, warehouses, alleys and canals that make the old town quite charming. We were hoping to take a boat ride but the rain had not eased. So instead, we hiked up to Achi Shrine, a tranquil Shinto shrine perched on a hill with a view of the city. I read it is best to go there at sunset, but even in the rain, the views were lovely.

After breakfast in the old town, D and I returned to our Airbnb, packed up, and set off towards our next stop: Hiroshima. Even though our time in Kurashiki was brief and a bit dampened by the rain, it was still a memorable visit. I hope someday soon we can go back to experience it fully.

Here is a short video capturing some of our favorite moments at Kurashiki City: