Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

　Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is renowned as a prime example of preserved traditional streetscapes in Japan.

　The term ‘Bikan’ refers to a magnificent view or a pleasant landscape. This aesthetic has been preserved through a townscape conservation campaign in which the local authorities and residents have worked together.

　The banks of the Kurashiki River flourished as a rice trading hub, and the area is popular with French visitors due to its rows of mansions and storehouses belonging to wealthy merchants.

　The fruit parfaits here are highly recommended, but my personal favourite is Chaya Ohashi, located near the car park. Their soft serve ice cream costs just 100 yen. It’s a place I never fail to visit whenever I’m in Kurashiki.