Kurashiki 倉敷
Historic willow-edged canal area
Kurashiki, in Okayama Prefecture, is seen as a somewhat refined destination, its interesting spots based around a preserved canal area that dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867), when the city served as an important rice distribution centre - the name Kurashiki means ‘town of warehouses’.
These days, the former warehouses have been converted into attractive museums, boutiques and cafes, many right on the canal.
Ohara Museum was Japan's first museum of Western art, now featuring works by Picasso, El Greco, Gauguin, Modigliani and Pollock, among others.