Ivy Square

Western Honshū


Present-day Ivy Square was once the site of Ōhara's Kurabō textile factories. The company moved into more modern premises a long time ago, and the ivy-covered red-brick factory buildings (dating from 1889) now house a hotel, restaurants, tourist-driven shops, and museums (most open 9am to 5pm). The latter include the Kurabō Memorial Hall, where you can learn about the history of the Japanese textile industry. Enter from the west.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Western Honshū attractions

1. Momotarō Karakuri Hakubutsukan

0.03 MILES

Part gallery and part fun-house, this small museum is devoted to local legend Momotarō, with memorabilia, toys and depictions of the 'peach boy' from over…

2. Kurabō Memorial Hall

0.04 MILES

Learn about the history of the Japanese textile industry at this museum at historic Ivy Square.

3. Japan Rural Toy Museum

0.11 MILES

Four rooms are crammed with displays of wooden toys, masks, dolls and spinning tops (including a world-record breaker), as well as a colourful array of…

4. Kurashiki Museum of Folk-craft

0.11 MILES

This museum is housed in an attractive complex of rice warehouses dating from the late 18th century, with interesting exhibits of exquisite household…

5. Hon-ei-ji

0.18 MILES

Buddhist temple with interesting wooden carvings of animal spirits in the eaves, near Kurashiki's Bikan quarter. Enter from the side street off Honmachi…

6. Ōhara Museum of Art

0.19 MILES

This is Kurashiki's premier museum, housing the predominantly Western art collection amassed by local textile magnate Ōhara Magosaburō (1880–1943), with…

7. Achi-jinja

0.22 MILES

Steep stone steps lead up to this shrine in Tsurugata-yama-kōen, a park that overlooks the old area of town. The shrine is home to a wisteria tree thought…

8. Kanryū-ji

0.24 MILES

Buddhist temple on the edge of Tsurugata-yama-kōen park, with fine views across town.