Rodney Campbell's Blog

Kurashiki (倉敷) is a historic city located in western Okayama Prefecture, sitting on the Takahashi River, on the coast of the Inland Sea.

Here it has a preserved canal area that dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867). At the time the city served as an important rice distribution center. In fact, the name Kurashiki can be roughly translated as “town of storehouses”.

Kurashiki

NIKON D750 + 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 28 mm, 1/30 sec at f/8, ISO 100

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Many of Kurashiki’s former storehouses have today been converted into museums, boutiques and cafes.

Near the famous Ohara Museum of Art (which was unfortunately closed today :() there is a lovely small stone bridge. It was an ideal spot for a wide all encompassing panorama. This 360˚ horizontal panorama is composed of seventeen (17) vertical frames (taken handheld). It is perhaps a little surprising that a handheld job sticked so well. However it shows what a little planning, practice and good modern software can do :).

Kurashiki 360

NIKON D750 + 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 28 mm, 1/30 sec at f/8, ISO 110 x 17 Frames

The old merchant quarter is called the Bikan historical area. It contains many fine examples of 17th century wooden warehouses (kura, 倉) painted white with traditional black tiles. Bikan lends itself to relaxed strolling. There are no cars to avoid, and none of the poles and overhead wires in order to make it more closely resemble the look of the Meiji period.

Navigating the Canal

NIKON D750 + 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 300 mm, 1/320 sec at f/8, ISO 2000

The canal is lined with willows. There are the requisite Japanese carp (koi) finning about in the river and several swans.

For a small fee you can take a relaxing boat ride along the canal. My three daughters made full use of the opportunity :).

Kurashiki Canal

NIKON D750 + 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 28 mm, 1/30 sec at f/8, ISO 160

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