Kurashiki Trip Overview
Kojima is a scenic port town located in the southern part of Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, and has prospered since ancient times as a strategic point for maritime traffic in the Seto Inland Sea.
Due to its geographical characteristics, the town has developed export-heavy industries, such as textiles, shipping, and salt manufacturing to meet the changing needs of the times.
For our first activity, you will ride along an unusual bike path converted from a train track. Weaving through the houses and roads, you may feel like you yourself have become a train riding through the tracks.
Afterwards, at Washuzan Observatory, you will enjoy a magnificent 360° panoramic view of the sky and sea. Next you will visit Kojima Jeans Street, introduced in the Michelin Guide as the “Jeans Capital of Japan”, a perfect place for jean lovers.
Setouchi’s sea and sky, and jeans. Let’s go on a journey of nature and industry connected by blue.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Starts: Kurashiki, Japan
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Kurashiki Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
Kojima is a scenic port town located in the southern part of Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, and has prospered since ancient times as a strategic point for maritime traffic in the Seto Inland Sea.
Due to its geographical characteristics, the town has developed export-heavy industries, such as textiles, shipping, and salt manufacturing to meet the changing needs of the times.
For our first activity, you will ride along an unusual bike path converted from a train track. Weaving through the houses and roads, you may feel like you yourself have become a train riding through the tracks.
Afterwards, at Washuzan Observatory, you will enjoy a magnificent 360° panoramic view of the sky and sea. Next you will visit Kojima Jeans Street, introduced in the Michelin Guide as the “Jeans Capital of Japan”, a perfect place for jean lovers.
Setouchi’s sea and sky, and jeans. Let’s go on a journey of nature and industry connected by blue.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kurashiki Municipal Kojima Industrial Promotion Center, 1-chōme-37 Kojima Ekimae, Kurashiki, Okayama 711-0921, Japan
・Kojima Industrial Promotion Center, Kurashiki City: In our first stop, you will rent a pedal-assist electric bicycle to use on the tour, making it easier to cycle up hills. The basket of the bicycle is decorated with Kojima’s specialty, jeans.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Kaze no Michi, Kojima Ajino – Shimotsui, Kurashiki 710-0000 Okayama Prefecture
・Kaze no Michi (Former Kojima Station): This is a cycling path that has been converted from a railroad track where trains used to run. You will cycle the 6 kilometre route winding between houses and roads. As there are no cars and almost no traffic lights, you can freely ride along like the wind.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Site of Kinkai Station, 1 Obatake, Kurashiki 711-0924 Okayama Prefecture
・Ruins of Kinkai Station: The area around the remains of Kinkai Station is a cycling path where you can enjoy nature. The scenery is throughout the path is quite unique, with views of the Seto Inland Sea and tunnels made of wood. You may also enjoy a chat with the locals taking a walk in the path.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Washuzan, Obatake, Kurashiki, Okayama 711-0924, Japan
・Mt. Washuzan (Washuzan Observatory): This observatory is located near the top of Mt. Washuzan. There are several different observation decks, and you can enjoy many different views of the beautiful islands of the Seto Inland Sea, and the magnificent Seto Ohashi Bridge. The 360° panoramic view from the observatory deck located at the top of the mountain is especially impressive.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Old Shimotsui Tonya Museum, 1-7-23 Shimotsui, Kurashiki 711-0927 Okayama Prefecture
・Shimotsui Shipping Agent Museum: Shimotsui is a port town located in the southern part of the Kojima area, which flourished through its ship trading industry. This is a museum where you can learn about its history. The surrounding townscape, which still retains the atmosphere of that time, is also worth a visit, and you can also enjoy dishes made with local ingredients at a nearby restaurant.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: 旧野﨑家住宅, 1-chōme-11-19 Kojimaajino, Kurashiki, Okayama 711-0913, Japan
・Former Nozaki Family Residence: This museum tells the history of Kojima, a city that has developed not only thanks to its textile industry, but also its salt industry. The building is one of the oldest and most gorgeous buildings in town, worth a visit to see the beautiful garden and the display of daily necessities that show how people lived back in the day.
Duration: 25 minutes
Stop At: Kojima Jeans Street, Kojima Ajino, Kurashiki 711-0913 Okayama Prefecture
・Kojima Jeans Street: A street full of jeans stores. Kojima is the birthplace of jeans manufacturing in Japan, and it is a holy place for jeans lovers. You can shop and compare from a variety of unique denim brands all at once, and find the perfect pair for you. Some products are also only available here.
Duration: 30 minutes
