Ryokan Kurashiki sits in the heart of the Bikan Historical Quarter, overlooking the willow-lined canal and the stone footbridge that crosses over it.  Take a leap back in time by staying in this welcoming, traditional inn – serving some of the most mouthwatering cuisine imaginable, in a stunning and ambient location.

The former storehouses, or kura, that give the town its name are still proudly standing in this well-preserved district.  Emptied now of their rice and trade goods, many of them host boutique shops selling handicrafts and trinkets, or atmospheric izakaya pubs, dishing out grilled snacks and cold drinks into the wee hours.  Staying in the Ryokan Kurashiki will allow you to get under the skin of this merchant town, and feel like you have woken up in a museum all of your own.  The rooms occupy a warren of buildings, with each suite residing in its own unique part of history.  Whether your room was once the residence of the local merchant, a warehouse for sugar, or a 250-year old granary, this is simply an unforgettable place to fall asleep.

All suites are extremely generous in space, have the options of Western beds (for those unaccustomed to the traditional futon mattresses) and the multi-course kaiseki dinner promises to be one of the best meals you have ever eaten.