Kurashiki (Kurashiki City, Okayama Pref.)

With over 400 years of history, the Bikan district was designated as a national preservation district for traditional structures. The street scenes still retain the atmosphere of Japan in days of old, and the landscape lighting at night is very romantic. The area, with many art museums and old houses lining the streets, is especially attractive and convenient because it is located near the local train station.

Located within the Bikan district at the top of Mt. Tsurugata, the view from the grounds of the shrine includes the rest of the Bikan district, the towns in the surrounding area, and the shopping malls, etc. In one corner of the shrine grounds, the stalks of the oldest wisteria (W. floribunda) in Japan cover more than 400 square meters, and it has been designated a Prefectural Natural Monument.

This is a Japanese garden located within the Bikan district, between the main building of the Ohara Museum of Art, the first museum of modern western art in Japan, and an annex to the museum, and it is a restful place for tourists weary from their travels.