Kurashiki

Kurashiki is a small town (by Japanese standards, but easily the size of Richmond, population-wise) about two hours east of Hiroshima in Okayama Prefecture. It is famous for its museums, and the Ohara Museum houses the best modern art collection in Chugoku (Western Honshu). More importantly, this town is home to a top ten pizza place in the world, according to Gourmet Magazine. (Think Grimaldi's in New York, 2Amy's in DC; better than the latter, not than the former.)


Honmachi, a 17th-century area of Kurashiki, filled with antique pottery shops, small restaurants, and coffee shops:


A room in Ohashi-ue (translates to either "house of chopsticks" or "bridge house," take your pick), a 17th century samurai house:
An incredible antique toy store:
The Ohara Museum's Japanese Contemporary Annex:
The Ohara Museum's ancient Buddhist and Japanese crafts wing:
And again. Those lily pads were transplanted from Monet's property in Giverny:
A view of the canal: