Kurashiki: A Glimpse of Pre-War Japan

by Bama
October 29, 2017
55 comments
Asia, East, Japan

Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter

Anyone who has explored big cities in Japan might notice the endless rows of incongruous concrete buildings dominating their skylines. Despite the elegance and restrained beauty the Japanese are famous for, I wondered why they built those ugly boxes of uninspiring edifices. Japan’s ambition to control much of Asia in the 20th century – pushing away the British, the French, and the Dutch from their colonial possessions in the continent – as well as their alliance with the Germans during the Second World War resulted in severe reprisals from the Allies. In the final months of the war, incendiary bombs were dropped all over Japan, targeting military facilities, factories, and pretty much everything else.

Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Kobe, among other cities, were heavily damaged. The air raids not only managed to reduce Japan’s strategic facilities to rubble, but also the country’s invaluable heritage sites. Following Japan’s defeat in the war, and supported by U.S. aid, the country’s economy experienced a decades-long boom which successfully propelled Japan to become the world’s second biggest economy. To provide housing for the workforce, as well as a part of the country’s reconstruction from the ashes of war, many multi-story buildings were constructed, taking a rather spartan form focusing on functionality rather than beauty.

However, not all was destroyed during the war. Apart from Himeji Castle which miraculously escaped destruction, a small city called Kurashiki managed to stay unscathed amid the Allies’ intense air raids. I had never heard of the name before, and if it wasn’t for the advice from a Tokyo businessman whom James and I met over dinner at a sushi bar in Okayama station, we would have skipped this city altogether. In the middle of a conversation about food and regional identity in Japan, he mentioned Bikan, Kurashiki’s old merchant quarter which he really recommended. Less than 20 km away to the southwest of Okayama, Kurashiki was easily reached from where we stayed, and less than 24 hours after the dinner we were already on our way to Kurashiki, heeding the businessman’s advice.

When we left Kurashiki station, the typical modern Japanese environs welcomed us. However, 20 minutes later as we turned at a street corner, we arrived in a completely different place. No tall concrete buildings in sight, only 17th- and 18th-century warehouses as far as we could see. Timber panels, black tiles, and fan-shaped roof ends were certainly a stark contrast to the dull facades of post-war buildings. In the heart of the historical district, a green-tinged canal ran through the scenic neighborhood, overlooked by beautiful structures along its banks. Perhaps Bikan’s peaceful ambiance contributed to the establishment of Japan’s first museum for Western art in 1930, housing the works of Monet, Gauguin and Renoir among other renowned painters.

Declassified documents show that Kurashiki was among the targets of aerial bombings aimed at taking full control of Japan. But the country’s surrender on August 15, 1945 spared Kurashiki from the same fate suffered by other places across Japan, hence saving the city’s invaluable cultural treasures. A walk down the atmospheric streets and alleys in Bikan was very sobering as we could imagine how different Japan would have looked had no one instigated the war in the first place.

Centuries-Old Houses and Shops along the Canal

Simply Beautiful

Cruising along the Canal

Daily Life in Bikan

Nature’s Playful Take on Japanese Aesthetics

Incorporating Traditional Art into Architecture

Shops and Tourists at the End of Bikan

Taking A Stroll toward the Neighborhood of Honmachi

Going Home in Style

Worn Timber Meets Whitewashed Walls and Grey Roofs

A Quieter Corner of Bikan

Kurashiki’s Manhole Cover

This was Once A Spinning Mill

Beauty at Every Corner

One Fine Afternoon in Bikan

Posted by

Based in Jakarta, always curious about the world, always fascinated by ancient temples, easily pleased by food.

55 thoughts on “Kurashiki: A Glimpse of Pre-War Japan”

    • Bama says:

      Kurashiki is really easy to reach whether you’re from Osaka or Hiroshima as the mid-sized city is conveniently located on the Sanyo line (one of Japan’s Shinkansen lines). Even if it’s not in your plan, a visit to Kurashiki would be worth the detour, as we discovered it ourselves.

      Like

  4. Madhu says:

    I wonder if Japan’s mega cities would have turned out any different if there had been no war! Kurashiki looks beautiful Bama. Reminds me so much of Takayama. Probably a lot less touristy. Love the roof details and the windows of the old spinning mill.

    Like

    • Bama says:

      I believe they would, Madhu. I can see why Bikan district of Kurashiki reminds you of Takayama. The latter is much smaller in size, though, and beyond Bikan, Kurashiki felt quite modern actually. If I had more time, I would have gone to Western art museum!

      Like

    • Bama says:

      The good thing is you can go to Kurashiki quite easily from most parts of Honshu thanks to Japan’s extensive Shinkansen network. So next time you’re in the country you can check this city out! Thanks for reading, Rizam!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Bama says:

      Thanks Nicole! I haven’t heard anyone who has been to Japan and doesn’t want to go back — including me. It’s a really special country, indeed.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Bama says:

      Well said, Prantik! This part of Kurashiki felt like a time capsule, allowing modern visitors to imagine how life in Japan would have looked like many years ago. Thanks for reading!

      Like

  9. BaRTZap says:

    Ini kota impian banget buat jalan-jalan ya. Jepang banget, dan masih terasa tradisional. Sepintas pemandangan kotanya mengingatkanku pada Malaka atau Hoi An yang berkanal-kanal dan penuh bangunan lawas. Aku juga baru dengar nama kota ini, tapi meskipun terasa ‘agak asing’ di telinga tapi kotanya ramai banget ya ternyata. Untung Jepang keburu nyerah ya pada perang dunia kedua, sehingga kota ini bisa terselamatkan. Satu tempat lagi yang bisa dimasukkan ke dalam catatan. Tfs Bam!

    Like

    • Bama says:

      Bener banget, Bart. Daerah Bikan ini semacam Kota Tua yang dijaga keasliannya dan dijadikan daya tarik wisata. Waktu aku ke sana memang cukup ramai sih, tapi mayoritas turisnya lokal karena kalau gak salah itu pas lagi musim liburan anak sekolah di Jepang. Coba kamu ke Jepang pas musim liburan di sana deh Bart, dan saksikan dengan mata kepala sendiri betapa tertib, considerate, dan sopannya orang-orang sana. Meskipun suatu tempat wisata padat, gak ada yang namanya dorong-dorongan, bahkan senggol-senggolan. Gak ada yang teriak-teriak manggil teman atau saudaranya. Kalau ada rencana ke Prefektur Okayama, jangan lupa mampir ke Kurashiki ya.

      Liked by 1 person

      • BaRTZap says:

        Noted Bam. Ngomong-ngomong mendingan nginep di sini atau dari point dirimu nginap? Karena kalau memungkinkan kayanya lebih asyik, jadi bisa dapat suasana sore dan malamnya juga.

        Like

      • Bama says:

        Hmm, mungkin lebih enak nginep di dua-duanya Bart, semalam di Kurashiki, dua malam di Okayama. 😀 Btw, kalau diterusin dari Okayama, Kurashiki teruuus ke arah barat bakal ketemu Hiroshima. Seandainya pas aku ke Jepang ada waktu lebih pasti udah aku sempetin ke sana sih.

        Liked by 1 person

      • BaRTZap says:

        Sip, jadi memungkinkan ya untuk nginep di Kurashiki.

        Hehehe artinya dirimu harus balik ke Jepang lagi Bam 🙂

        Like

      • Bama says:

        Kalau balik lagi ke Jepang itu memang impianku, Bart. Bener-bener salah satu negara yang paling berkesan yang pernah aku kunjungi. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    • Bama says:

      Thanks John & Susan! Despite its modest size, Kurashiki really is worth a visit thanks to its historical quarter.

      Like

  11. awtytravels says:

    What a beautiful city! I caught glimpses of back-in-the-day Japan in Kyoto, Asakusa, Narita (the city) and other places, but I’ve always yearned for a bit more. One of these days I’ll return and do a proper small-town Japan tour. I wonder if, had WWII not happened, things would’ve gone a bit differently, sometimes it also feels that Japan destroyed a bit of its heritage during the bubble economy of the 1980s…
    How nice that the businessman got chatting with you guys, do you speak Japanese if you don’t mind me being nosy?
    Fabrizio

    Like

    • Bama says:

      Unfortunately in many parts of the world economic development meant sacrificing cultural heritage to make way for new buildings deemed more profitable (and it still does in some places). Luckily not all is lost, and I can see across Asia how education has proven effective in raising people’s awareness for cultural preservation.

      I can only understand just a little over a dozen Japanese words. So no, I don’t speak the language. That person talked to us in English, although with a very strong Japanese accent which at times made me struggle to understand him. My friend sat closer to him, so he could pick up more information.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Sha says:

    Very pretty buildings. It reminds me a little of Kawagoe which has buildings like these too. I especially like the canal meandering through the town. 🙂

    Like

    • Bama says:

      I had to look up Kawagoe just now, and it looks so pretty! Maybe next time I go to Japan I should make an effort to visit this city. Thanks for the info!

      Like

      • Sha says:

        Oh yes, Kawagoe was a pretty little town with all the Edo style buildings…happy to share the info 😄

        Liked by 1 person

  13. lexklein says:

    Oh, I love love love this place! Your photos show this city off beautifully, especially the ones that show the simple but elegant details. What incredible luck to meet someone who steered you here; those are often the most rewarding parts of a trip.

    Like

    • Bama says:

      You would love exploring Japan’s historical towns, Lex — well, you would love Japan! That night James and I went to that restaurant because we wanted to try some local delicacies which were supposedly hard to find outside Okayama. I remember we were the only foreigners there, so this person was probably curious and started talking to us. I’m so glad he sat next to James and told us about Kurashiki!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Bama says:

      Di Jepang meskipun itu kota besar dan bangunannya rapat-rapat, tetap terlihat jauh lebih rapi kalau dibandingkan di Indonesia sih. 😀 Apalagi kawasan Bikan ini yang memang menjadi salah satu daya tarik utama kota Kurashiki.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Marilyn Albright says:

    Your comment “how different Japan would have looked had no one instigated the war in the first place,” is such a sad truth about world history and the lust for power and control. Its wonderful that at least a few places mostly escaped, and Bikan is a beautiful example.

    Like

    • Bama says:

      Unfortunately since humans began organizing themselves, the struggle for power and control has become an inseparable part of our history. We can always learn from the past, but at times some people will go down the same dark path others had gone. Places like Bikan provides a sobering reminder of what we risk of losing if we choose to ignore the past.

      Like

    • Bama says:

      Please do, Robin. I would be more than happy to help! Thanks for dropping by again after a while! Any chance to resurrect your blog? 🙂

      Like

      • Robin Robin (@hi_robinrobin) says:

        Quite unlikely, unfortunately. I guess, I’m more of a “instagrammer” than a blogger these days. But rest assured, I still write and take as many pictures as possible! However, I write for academic purpose and only take picture leisurely. Not sure if I can combine these two 😀
        Come back to England again and explore the North this time!

        Like

      • Bama says:

        I’ve been thinking of writing a post about you and Reza, since both of you were instrumental in my early years of blogging. We’ll see. 🙂

        Would love to go back to England, with a visit to Scotland!

        Like

  18. James says:

    After spending the whole morning in Himeji, and taking the wrong (slow) train back to Okayama, I guess we arrived in Kurashiki a little too late to visit the Western art museum. Looks like we’ll have to go back another time and spend a night there – just imagine how magical it must be after dark! A lovely post, Bama, and an important reminder of what we all lose in times of war.

    Like

    • Bama says:

      The train back to Okayama was indeed slow, but it was quite an interesting experience nonetheless. Spending a night in Bikan, trying the local food, and visiting the Western art museum sound like valid reasons to go back! And speaking of war, Kurashiki teaches us all that we should never take things for granted. Thanks James!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Bama says:

      Hi Henry! The culture is exactly the reason why so many people are so captivated by Japan, and the reason for me to go back one day in the future. Thanks for reading!

      Like

  21. Jeff Bell says:

    It is a shame what happens during a war. The whole country could look like this in a different world. Luckily it was spared so we have a glimpse of what it was. Thanks for sharing.

    Like

    • Bama says:

      Jeff Bell! You’ve been MIA in the blogging world! Always nice to have you back. You’re right about how Japan could have looked like had the war not happened. It was a lofty price to bear to teach humanity that war would only bring sorrow — although the lesson is often lost in later generations, unfortunately.

      Like

      • Jeff Bell says:

        Yes, I have been MIA but I went to Sri Lanka for three weeks and have some stuff to write. Plus, I have missed reading many blogs. I will hopefully have more time now!

        Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.