Kurashiki (Kura=old term for storage)

I heard Kurashiki, Okayama has a nice old town area but did not know where. We are traveling every day and I kind of lost doing some research. You see white wall old style houses here and there. So I thought about wandering around and got out of the hotel. I saw stone paved road with souvenir stores right across the street. I went on around the corner, then suddenly.....voila! There is a river with old stone bridges and well preserved old houses on both sides!! It was a total trip, feels like just did a time travel back in Edo period. I walked both sides of the river since that area was not so big, I know the street is a mix of old and new construction but still it looks great. And I went one street behind, more like resident area. I still see old style wood doors and poles which you don't see so often nowadays. This place keeps a good old vibe there. Not the tourist area, those traditional style is so deep in there life. I was amazed.

I saw a sign for a shrine. Achi shrine stands on top of the hill, looking over the old town Kurashiki. I climbed up the stairs, which I later learned each step is one big granite stone! The shrine is old, it is the main shrine of Kurashiki city. Many Japanese bush warbler were flying one to another trees around this old shrine, they were so cute.


There is a temple on the mountain. That looked pretty old too. The temple area was very neat garden. As souvenir, I bought some dried fish and locally brewed chocolate beer. The fish is called "Mamakari" and one of the delicacies of Kurashiki. "Mamma" means "rice" in old term, "kariru" means "to borrow"....the fish is so good you goes to neighbor to borrow some rice (to go with)....that's how they named the fish it is said.


When it comes to writing this blog, I look for more information like history and fact. Kurashiki was became under the direct rule of the Edo Shogunate, almost 400 years ago. The river was used to transport rice, cotton, etc.. The whole town is like a storehouse for the Shogunate. There is a stone-paved path for the carts loaded with heavy rice, a night light made of stone in 1791. I can imagine the town used to be so active. I love Japan is so rich in its history, historic constructions and ruins, and so diverse depending on the area. There are always a lot to learn.