Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter which transforms a 110-year-old former kimono merchant shopfront and residence in Kurashiki is an exercise in graceful restraint and craft In Japan’s Kurashiki City behind a traditional timber latticed facade typifying the architectural vernacular of the area and an unassuming hand-crafted knotted nawa-noren rope curtain a new boutique hotel transformed from a 110-year-old former kimono merchants shopfront and residence The 13-guest room property is an exercise in graceful restraint harmoniously blending tradition and modernity lounge and restaurant highlighting locality and seasonality with kaiseki dining Located within a quiet and residential corner of the Bikan Historical Quarter the hotel is surrounded by the famed cluster of meticulously preserved centuries-old white-plastered storehouses buildings possess a history of over 400 years reflecting the town’s rich mercantile history through cotton production and its former flourishing textile industry burgeoning culture for the arts and crafts ‘Our mission was to convey the true character and craftsmanship deeply rooted in this region,’ cites Yuta Oka who ‘inherited’ the site and spearheaded the project along with Kyoto-based developer Kiraku Yoruya – translated as twisting threads in Japanese – extends as a metaphoric anchor for the ethos of the property ‘It is a term that captures both the softness and the craftsmanship that define the town,’ notes Oka The sophisticated renovation was no less undertaken by Simplicity Design Studio who were entrusted to oversee the entire hotel’s design and weave new life into the century-old site Following the quarter’s strict regulations around aesthetics and density Simplicity renovated the property’s traditional structures whilst designing two additional new buildings inspired by the town’s Edo-era shikkui white-plastered warehouses and Meiji-era brick buildings as a continuation of its architectural landscape The four volumes are interconnected by a series of white-walled passages reminiscent of the town’s narrow alleyways Simplicity aimed to recreate an extension of these walkways within the hotel as a ‘vista for the guests to be able to experience three different identities of the buildings,’ they explained ’Especially to praise the light and shadow between the buildings.’ Kurashiki’s cultural richness was heavily instigated and nurtured by the patronage of the town’s revered Ohara Family This ethos inspired Yoruya’s team to cultivate and commission various original ceramics crafts and artworks by next-generation and established local artisans ceramic sculptures by Maki Takeuchi (son of famed local potter Seijo Takeuchi) carved zelkova wooden tablets by woodworker Midori Takayama tapestries by artist Jun Tomita and paper sculptures by Bitchu washi artisan Naoki Tange – to name but a few – decorate the interiors they emphasise the depth of Yoruya’s authentic approach to localised encounters The hotel’s 13 guest rooms are segmented into one main suite two junior suites and three guest rooms located within the two traditional timber buildings The rich history of traditional elements marries beautifully with Simplicity’s contemporary touches The remaining ten guest rooms are found within the two new additional buildings designed in a modern maisonette style These double-floored guest rooms feature a naka-niwa inner garden In-room amenities include complimentary local beer green tea sourced from Northern Okayama tea farms and coffee brewed by local roaster ‘something like that’ escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox Expect traditional Japanese kaiseki dining (a traditional multi-course Japanese meal) with a modern approach Dishes are crafted from ingredients sourced directly from the surrounding region and paired with an excellent sake selection The restaurant’s open-plan kitchen and u-shaped hinoki wood counter seating allow for an intimate experience with executive chef Fumio Niimi whose thoughtful dishes evoke the flavours and nuances of Japanese micro-seasons preserving rich heritage whilst navigating the site into the future he envisions Yoruya as an enduring addition to the town’s future legacy ‘The history of Kurashiki has been passed down through generations it has grown into something as strong and impressive as a thick rope,’ he analogises though today still a thin and delicate thread will eventually be woven into this unique tapestry of Kurashiki’s history.’ Yoruya, 2-7 Higashimachi, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-0053, Japan, tel +81 50-5799-4721, yoruya-kurashiki.com Joanna Kawecki is a Tokyo-based design journalist and consultant design and travel, interviewing leading industry figures such as Kengo Kuma and Naoto Fukasawa She is co-founder of Ala Champ Magazine and design brand IMI Japan working with craftspersons across the country’s 47 prefectures exploring traditional artisans to innovation entrepreneurs Asahi Kasei and Kurashiki City celebrated the opening of a biogas purification system early February located at the Kojima Sewage Treatment Plant in Kurashiki uses Asahi Kasei’s CO2 separation technology with zeolites to enhance biogas processing The collaboration aims to evaluate how effectively the system performs in real-world conditions At the heart of the purification system is a combination of zeolite as an adsorbent and pressure vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA) technology The zeolite material features channels and cavities designed to capture CO2 efficiently Asahi Kasei’s PVSA technology allows for effective gas separation enabling high-purity methane gas (biomethane) to be extracted Biogas typically consists of about 60% methane and 40% CO2 It offers significant potential as a carbon-neutral fuel where biomethane can substitute for natural gas The new system at the Kojima Sewage Treatment Plant will use biogas generated from sewage sludge If the CO2 separated by the system can be utilized or stored This advancement is essential for achieving a carbon-negative outcome the purified methane will be returned to fuel electricity generation Both partners expect the system to be commercialized by around 2027 This will follow further trials in regions where biogas purification is relevant “We are excited to start the on-site demonstration trial of our biogas purification system.” He believes that global partnerships will help accelerate the practical application of this technology This will ultimately aid in reducing environmental impacts and fostering sustainability worldwide Please note: World Bio Market Insights is owned and operated by World Bio Markets Ltd Okayama — During lunchtime on a recent holiday customers were seen waiting in line outside in a cafe built like a castle complete with a pointed tower and pink balconies please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent By Sayuri Nitani / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer which has been operating for over half a century along a prefectural road Japanese curry and other dishes are served to customers in a cozy atmosphere Particularly eye-catching among the offerings is the Napolitan (ketchup-flavored) spaghetti The signature “special spaghetti” is a feast for the eyes topped with beaten eggs and a raw egg in the center whose husband created the dish and was New Linden’s founder has been in charge of cooking since the cafe’s opening Takahashi sautes the spaghetti before adding vegetables in order to retain their crunchiness Mixing with chopsticks is kept to a minimum to avoid making the dish sticky Takahashi vigorously shakes the frying pan She uses ketchup and okonomiyaki sauce for flavor “The rich taste works just right when mixed with the eggs It’s a nostalgic taste,” said a 53-year-old male office worker from the city dining at the cafe Takahashi said she can’t leave the cooking to anyone else since her customers expect her special seasoning She is said to have insisted on taking care of the breakfast specials She starts early in the morning with her eldest son She also toasts bread and arranges freshly cut fruit on plates on the counter Together with greeting regulars when they come in Takahashi barely has time to catch her breath ‘It’s so tough [to work like this every day],’ or ‘I wonder how long I can keep going.’ But she always works hard anyway,” Yoshihiko said who had been a wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) confectioner They opened the cafe in 1969 at the suggestion of a relative who ran a coffee shop “I only tried coffee for the first time after we opened the cafe I said it was bitter,” Takahashi said with a smile New Linden opened in the middle of Japan’s period of rapid economic growth factories were built in nearby coastal areas Where there had once been fields and rice paddies adding the cafe was always bustling with men coming in after work or night shifts at nearby plants “Those men would take me out to play instead of my busy parents,” said Yoshihiko the cafe was expanded to its current structure The family continued to work hard to pay off their debt to the bank Takahashi said her husband was particular about the special exterior of the cafe as well as the interior’s antique-style furnishings Old-fashioned items like pudding a la mode and cream soda are also still served These remnants of the Showa era (1926-89) began to garner attention on social media after the COVID-19 pandemic and the lighting and retro interior are great,” said Isamu Terakado a 19-year-old university student from Okayama who provided many customers from office workers to local residents with a place to eat and relax it was thanks to the cafe she was able to look forward again “I think I can’t stay still,” Takahashi said bashfully She is prepared to keep cooking for customers at the “castle” she built with her family Among New Linden’s popular items is the classic pudding a la mode Each fruit is cut into bite-sized pieces and decorative shapes So many of the pieces are arranged on a long glass dish with ice cream that Yoshihiko’s own pudding placed in the center is barely visible Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo historic Kurashiki and the buzzing local bar scene Home to one of the three ‘great gardens’ of Japan Okayama is steeped in history and has a mild climate considered ideal for growing fruit The historic townscape of nearby Kurashiki once a busy rice distribution centre due to its prime location on the Inland Sea Directly connected to Okayama Station and hard to beat when it comes to convenience Higashiyama Line tram from Okayama-Ekimae Station pretty ponds and artificial hill of this samurai-era garden make a memorable backdrop for your morning stroll Recharge with coffee and a skewer of freshly fried delectably crispy kibidango (bite-sized millet dumplings) across the moat from Okayama Castle Higashiyama Line tram from Shiroshita Station alight at Okayama-Ekimae Station (8 mins) alight at Kurashiki Station (18 mins) the Ohara’s star-studded collection is also notable for its range of Japanese modern and contemporary art Mingei pottery is displayed in a historic rice warehouse next door Yuurin-an’s wagyu roast beef over rice arrives covered with a smoke-filled cloche and you’ll want to have your camera ready when the dome is lifted Historic Kurashiki centres on a canal lined with centuries-old storehouses which have been turned into shops Kojima south of central Kurashiki makes some of the best-quality jeans in the world Browse the wares and dig into indigo-coloured soft serve here Crafts enthusiasts flock to this captivating shop stocking wares by the Kurashiki company credited with bringing Japanese washi masking tape to the masses JR Sanyo Line train from Kurashiki Station Must-try dishes at this quintessential Okayama izakaya include sushi rolls and torisu – slices of chewy chicken thigh and glass noodles marinated in ponzu Return to the front page of the ultimate guide to Setouchi Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us The countdown is on until Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai kicks off, bringing with it six months of cutting-edge innovation, cultural showcases, and conversations about the future of society. This isn’t just an expo—it’s a massive, international think tank with 158 participating countries and organizations sharing ideas on how we can “Design Future Society for Our Lives.” Visitors will be spending lots of time inside the venue, but there’s also so much to see and do beyond the EXpo itself. Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is pushing its Expo + Tourism initiative, giving travelers a reason to explore beyond Osaka’s Yumeshima Island and discover a side of Japan that doesn’t always make the guidebooks. The expo’s theme might sound grand, but it boils down to three big ideas: Saving Lives: Medical advances, environmental sustainability, and disaster prevention tech. Empowering Lives: Innovation that improves daily life, from AI to accessibility solutions. Connecting Lives: Fostering international cooperation through culture, education, and digital communication. If you’re into futuristic gadgets, sustainability, or just seeing what the world’s top minds are cooking up, this is the place to be. National Pavilions: With 158 countries and nine international organizations represented, expect a mix of cutting-edge tech and cultural showcases. Signature Pavilions: Eight uniquely themed spaces exploring different aspects of the expo’s vision. Domestic Pavilions: Japan is bringing its A-game with high-tech showcases like the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion and the Women’s Pavilion (in collaboration with Cartier). Events & Celebrations: From traditional performances to cutting-edge digital art displays, there’s something happening daily. If you’re making the trip to Osaka, why stop there? JNTO is promoting Expo + Tourism, which connects the event’s themes with real-world travel experiences across Japan. Here are three must-visit spots: 1. Daisen, Tottori Prefecture (Saving Lives) Daisen offers hiking trails through beech forests, plus a visit to Ogamiyama Shrine Okunomiya, home to Japan’s longest natural stone-paved pathway. If your idea of a good time includes fresh mountain air and some deep breaths away from city noise, this is worth the detour. 2. Ama Hut Experience, Mie Prefecture (Empowering Lives) In Toba City’s Shima-cho Osatsu, Japan’s Ama (female free divers) have been diving for over 2,000 years. At an Ama Hut, visitors can hear firsthand about their traditions while snacking on freshly caught seafood. If you like your history with a side of grilled shellfish, this is for you. 3. Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, Okayama (Connecting Lives) This preserved Edo-period district is famous for its white-walled storehouses and willow-lined canals. It’s one of those places where you start by taking a few photos, then suddenly two hours have passed and you’re knee-deep in a local museum. Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan, Korea, Guam, and Okinawa with travel tips, restaurant reviews, recipes, community and event news, and more. JapanChevron OkayamaChevron To experience a different kind of luxury: Yoruya offers an intimate hotel stay rooted deeply in the region’s layered history, rich crafts culture, and micro-seasonal ingredients, with 13 rooms, a restaurant, and a bar—all filtered through a contemporary Japanese aesthetic steeped in beauty and stillness. Staff are young, creative, attentive—balancing friendliness with just the right dose of Japan’s famed omotenashi hospitality. Many also seem to have extensive local knowledge of the region, its heritage and its crafts. There are no age restrictions for younger guests, although the atmosphere is quite calm and grown-up plus there are no specific children’s amenities or facilities in the restaurant. Reservations in the restaurant are limited to younger guests who are able to sit on regular chairs and can eat the same menu as adults. Amenity packing is mainly recycled paper, slippers are crafted from biomass paper, and in-room water is provided in glass bottles. It’s not obviously accessible—but staff recommend standard or suite rooms for those with mobility issues. The hotel can also provide wheelchairs upon request. It’s worth tapping into the hotel’s deep local creative knowledge: visitors will soon be able to enjoy private after-hours tour of Ohara Museum of Art. Plus, it is also sometimes possible for staff to set up bespoke visits to local artisan studios and workshops upon request. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world The Kurashiki Ablaze returning for another PVL appearance because...why not It seems Kurashiki Ablaze head coach Hideo Suzuki is all-in for another tour of duty in the PVL The Japanese head coach expressed his willingness to once again compete in the league if the PVL extends an invitation in the near future.  we’ll participate,” Suzuki told reporters after the Ablaze took home the bronze medal in this year’s edition of the Invitational Conference.  Kurashiki made up for their abrupt exit in the season-ending tournament with a straight-set decision against the young Est Cola [ALSO READ: PVL: Kurashiki staves off pesky Est Cola challenge to snag bronze in Invitational stint] Low Mei Cing once again flexed her offensive prowess with a team-high 14 points to lead the Ablaze who also got big-time contributions from Saki Tanabe and main playmaker Kyoka Oshima Tanabe poured in 13 points to earn the Player of the Game honors while Oshima tallied 19 excellent sets with seven other Kurashiki players scoring As their title-retention bid crumbled after losing to the Cignal HD Spikers the Japanese squad recalibrated their mindset quickly heading to the bronze medal clash.  we reset our mindset and focused on finishing strong against Est Cola," Tanabe said through an interpreter the Ablaze dug deep to secure another podium finish for the Japanese-based volleyball club.  “We’re happy to have won the bronze,” the 25-year-old hitter added Kurashiki ended the tournament with a 3-2 win loss slate while Est Cola finished with a 1-4 card We use cookies to ensure you the best experience on our website The Cignal HD Spikers outlast erstwhile champions Kurashiki Ablaze to advance to the Finals of the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference The Cignal HD Spikers will make their second PVL Finals appearance dethroning Japan's Kurashiki Ablaze as Invitational Conference champions in a five-set thriller at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday Cignal managed to score three straight points to take the lead at 10-9 behind the efforts of Ces Molina and import MJ Perez middle blocker Jackie Acuña connected on a running attack before Perez scored back-to-back hits for a three-point lead at 13-10 Kurashi would pull one back courtesy of a crosscourt kill by outside hitter Yukino Yano but the Venezuelan import immediately countered with a drop ball to lead Cignal to match point The HD Spikers then sealed their first Finals berth since the 2022 Reinforced Conference after Yano’s attack sailed wide for the Ablaze Perez fired 36 big points on 34 attacks and two blocks with 21 excellent receptions while Acuña and fellow middle blocker Riri Meneses had 10 each in her second game back for Cignal after Alas Pilipinas duties Gel Cayuna had 22 excellent sets and 13 excellent digs for the HD Spikers Middle blocker Cing Low Mei paced Kurashiki with 24 markers the HD Spikers set up a rematch against the Grand Slam-seeking Creamline Cool Smashers tomorrow at 6 p.m will face fellow guest team Est Cola of Thailand in the battle for bronze at 4:00 p.m Malaysian-Taiwanese Low Mei Cing makes an impressive debut with the Kurashiki Ablaze with a successful opening game against EST Cola in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference Low Mei Cing led Kurashiki Ablaze to a four-set victory over Thailand's EST Cola in the PVL Invitational Conference opener at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City Mei Cing made an impressive debut with a dominating 22 points with crucial support from teammates Saya Tanaguchi and Honoka Doi to secure the win against the U-20 Thai squad Michele Gumabao fires 19 big points and the red-hot Creamline Cool Smashers finally stop the Kurashiki Ablaze Michele Gumabao is a scoring machine for the Creamline Cool Smashers in their four-set win against the Kurashiki Ablaze An original fashion souvenir to last in your capsule wardrobe The Japan trip has miraculously made it out of the group chat and TikTok’s “For You” page is packed with endless suggestions on where to shop for fall pieces in Tokyo Fashion lovers and influencers from all over the world have been highlighting everything from the 12-story Uniqlo flagship store in Ginza to tiny vintage shops in Koenji but not every shopper may yet be aware of Betty Smith Ebisu Factory where you can customize your own Japanese denim jeans.  Betty Smith is Japan’s first domestic manufacturer of women’s jeans and continues to be a key player in the industry The company was founded in 1962 in the Kojima district of Kurashiki which has been the center of textile production in general for hundreds of years is well-known as “the birthplace of Japanese denim.” Fashion enthusiasts and tourists in the area make sure to pay a visit to Jeans Street which features flagship stores for many Japanese denim brands A quick bus ride away from the street is Betty Smith Jeans Museum and Village where visitors can learn about the history of Japanese denim and customize their own pair of jeans.  Luckily, Betty Smith also has a store and workshop in Ebisu, Tokyo, where you can purchase the company’s standard denim goods and enjoy the same patented “jeans making experience.” The Ebisu Kobo (factory) is located only a 5-minute walk from Ebisu Station, and reservations are available on the website There are racks carrying various cuts of indigo jeans for men (unisex) and women with long denim skirts as an additional option the employees can hem the jeans to your desired length Then comes the fun part: choosing the buttons and rivets you want on your pair of jeans from a colorful array of both modern and vintage-style embellishments You can also hand-pick the leather label that will go on the back of the jeans from a selection of sheep leather The staff will sew the label onto the jeans then help you attach the buttons and rivets with a machine The shop recommends wearing sneakers to properly push the pedal with your foot they are ready to be taken home as an original souvenir to keep forever JAPAN’S Kurashiki Ablaze will return to defend its championship in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference in September The then-Japan V.League Division 3 club dominated in its maiden stint in the league last year by completing a six-game sweep highlighted by a dramatic five-set win over Creamline in the winner-take-all title game Kurashiki will lead a six-team field featuring a yet-to-be-named second foreign guest team and the semifinalists of the ongoing Reinforced Conference Lead playmaker and reigning Finals MVP Kyoka Ohshima has her sights set on helpig Kurashiki become only the third PVL team to win multiple championships after Creamline (9) and Petro Gazz (2) Some key figures of the 2023 champion team who joined various PVL teams over the past year are no longer expected to return confirmed he’ll no longer be at the sidelines for the Japanese team in the upcoming Invitationals Farm Fresh consultant and Kurashiki head coach Hideo Suzuki alongside ZUS Coffee guest import and reigning best outside hitter Tamaru Asaka have yet to confirm whether they’ll be joining Ablaze’s title defense Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph Spin.ph has been granted the NPC Seal of Registration in recognition of the successful registration of its DPO and DPS We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on Spin.ph. By continued use, you agree to our privacy policy and accept our use of such cookies. Find out more here Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism MANILA, Philippines – Kurashiki Ablaze kicked off their PVL Invitational Conference title bid on a winning note downing Thailand’s under-20 squad Est Cola in four sets despite being a last-minute addition to the Wednesday September 4 game slate at the PhilSports Arena Serving as a unique curtain-raiser to the last two knockout games of the 2024 Reinforced Conference, reigning Invitationals Finals MVP Ohshima Kyoka picked up right where she left off on Philippine soil helping five players reach double-digit scoring to the tune of 26 excellent sets Malaysian-Taiwanese blocker-winger “Maggie” Low Mei Cing led the scoring column with a game-high 22 points on 19 attacks from Yano Yukino and captain Taniguchi Saya “We’re very happy to play again in the Philippines we were still a bit nervous and our performance was so-so We still need to fix our game,” champion head coach Hideo Suzuki said in Japanese through a Filipino interpreter I think we can get more experience because this is our first game in the Philippines we can be better and better,” Low added Warisara Seetaloed led the losing cause with 14 points and 15 excellent receptions followed by 11 points from Nattharika Wasan while Kanokpom Sangthong tossed 15 excellent sets Kurashiki immediately returns to action in the same venue on Thursday against a Farm Fresh Foxies side now led by a familiar face for the Ablaze Kurashiki Ablaze opened their title defense with a four-set win over fellow foreign team EST Cola in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference Kurashiki Ablaze marked their return to the PVL Invitational Conference with a four-set victory over Thailand's EST Cola 25-21 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City with key contributions from Saya Tanaguchi and Honoka Doi helping secure the win against a young EST Cola team featuring U-20 players Saki Tanabe fueled the Kurashiki Ablaze for a sweeping victory over Est Cola in their bronze medal match in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference Saki Tanabe led the Kurashiki Ablaze to a bronze medal finish in their second PVL Invitational scoring 13 points in a straight-set victory over Est Cola on September 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tanabe's performance helped Kurashiki rebound after a tough five-set loss to Cignal HD Spikers Key plays from Kyoko Oshima and a match-winning block by Low Mei Cing sealed the win Est Cola finished fourth in their PVL debut securing one win against the Farm Fresh Foxies It’s another podium finish for Saki Tanabe and the Kurashiki Ablaze in their second appearance in the league finishing in third place after firing past Est Cola in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference It was still a fiery finish for the Kurashiki Ablaze as they punctuated their second PVL Invitational stint with another podium finish 26-24 and 25-20 victory over Est Cola to clinch bronze on Thursday September 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Low Mei Cing paced the Ablaze with team-high 14 points while Saki Tanabe added 13 points as Kurashiki found some consolation a day after the heartbreaking five-set loss against the Cignal HD Spikers The Japanese volleyball club put the pedal to the metal early with a 16-8 in the third set after squeaking past the first two sets behind some crucial points and stops.  Est Cola responded with their own 3-0 run to make it 16-11 and got as close as 19-17 after a service ace from Nattharika Wasan It was a tight finish from that point on until reinging Final MVP Kyoko Oshima scored on a 1-2 play for a 23-20 lead.  An Est Cola service error put Kurashiki at match point before Cing sealed their straight-set dub with a towering block.  Reigning Invitational Conference Finals MVP Kyoka Oshima produced yet another masterful playmaking behind a team-high 19 excellent sets with seven other Kurashiki players scoring.  Meanwhile, Warisara Seetaloed took up the scoring cudgels for Est Cola with 14 points while Natthawan Phatthaisong added 11 markers.  Tanyaporn Seeso and Papatchaya Phointham combined for 14 points in a match that lasted for nearly one-and-a-half hour.  The Thai club finished fourth in their first taste of PVL action with a 1-4 win-loss card. Their lone win came at the expense of the Farm fresh Foxies.  Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp Key Image　Photo credit: Kurashiki City Tourism Division traditional Japanese arts have been admired around the world During the national isolation of the Edo period (1603–1867) Japanese porcelain and lacquerware were among the country’s few exports And as Japan reopened to international trade then rapidly from the Meiji era (1867–1912) the distinctive aesthetics and subtle refinement of Japanese paintings and woodblock prints had a seismic impact on Western artists and artistic movements including impressionist and post-impressionist titans such as Degas But this influence was far from unilateral As well as scientific and technological innovations the rapid modernization of the Meiji era opened the floodgates for Western art and artists to enter Japan in contrast to “Nihonga,” Japanese-style painting) foreign artistic concepts and approaches were enthusiastically embraced by the nation’s creatives such as Kuroda Seiki immersed themselves mainly in imported painting techniques such as Hashiguchi Goyo and Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita created a unique fusion of Western and Japanese methods and sensibilities the Japanese public have emerged as some of the world’s most passionate and discerning art consumers Visiting exhibitions of works by Western masters draw incredible crowds with Japanese museums and galleries also holding some of the crown jewels of international art in their permanent collections And while many may be familiar with Tokyo’s National Museum of Western Art part of a cluster of world-leading museums and galleries in the Ueno area some may be surprised to learn that the nation’s oldest institution with a permanent collection of Western art is found not in the capital but amid the historic streets of Kurashiki Though no longer among Japan’s major urban centers Kurashiki was once a key mercantile and industrial hub for cotton and textiles and the Ohara Museum of Art fits into a proud heritage of outward-facing entrepreneurialism rooted in the surrounding community Its founder was Kurashiki-born businessman and philanthropist Ohara Magosaburo (1880–1943) Magosaburo’s lifelong love of the arts can be traced back to his father and the Yōga painter and fellow Okayama native remaining in contact throughout Torajiro’s studies at the prestigious Tokyo Fine Arts School (now Tokyo University of the Arts) Torajiro traveled to Europe and enrolled at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent this period saw Torajiro cultivate a keen eye for works that would appeal to a Japanese audience Torajiro died in 1929 at the age of just 47 exhausted by his work on an important commission for the imperial household Magosaburo founded the Ohara Museum of Art as a forum for local people Along with the Ohara Museum’s fabulous array of Western masterpieces Torajiro also assembled a treasure trove of traditional craft and art pieces from across Asia and beyond Further bolstered by works from the creme of Japanese artists including Torajiro's own paintings inspired by Belgian luminism this ever-expanding collection is split across several themed wheelchair-accessible facilities (with wheelchairs available on site if required) With imposing Grecian columns befitting its standing as a temple to artistic excellence the structure cuts a striking presence among the traditional white-walled merchant houses of Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter The Main Gallery displays the Museum’s Western art collection After passing the Rodin bronzes that flank the entrance visitors will find a sumptuous collection of impressionist works including one from what is perhaps that movement’s most iconic series Toulouse-Lautrec and Munch are also well represented along with works by maestros of modern art such as Picasso showcases the work of Japanese artists drawing on Western traditions These include paintings by Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita and fellow luminaries Fujishima Takeji and Kishida Ryusei; and sculptures by Takamura Kotaro and Ogihara Morie boasts modern works by the likes of Yoshihara Jiro a portion of these works are currently available in the Main Gallery.) Beside the Main Gallery is the remodeled granary building that houses the Craft Art and Asian Art Gallery This repurposing of a functional space resonates strongly with a craft art philosophy that sees aesthetics and artisanship as indispensable to everyday life While the Craft Art and Asian Art Gallery exclusively exhibits the traditional crafts of East Asia such ideals—famously espoused by the progressive Arts and Crafts and Mingei movements that emerged from Britain and Japan in the 19th and early 20th centuries—align perfectly with Ohara Magosaburo’s own mission of making art accessible to all Not only were Arts and Crafts pioneers like Walter Crane and William Morris strongly influenced by Japanese aesthetics and woodblock printing potter Bernard Leach spent many years in Japan helping to shape the Mingei movement alongside his friend the philosopher Yanagi Soetsu The regular exhibition includes ceramics by Leach as well as woodblock prints by Munakata Shiko The Asiatic art collection meanwhile includes antiques collected by Kojima Torajiro in China and Korea Kurashiki has a wealth of sights and attractions to satisfy the most demanding visitor The town began to flourish some 300 years ago when the Edo Shogunate seized control of the area and developed canals to carry goods to and from the Seto Inland Sea The Bikan Historical Quarter preserves the atmosphere of those times more than living up to its name (which literally means “beautiful view”) with willow-lined waterways flanked by row upon row of white-walled black-tiled buildings that were once rice store granaries and merchants’ offices Though these now contain a range of gift shops all renovations have been conducted in harmony with the surroundings The area’s textile heritage is reflected in indigo dying workshops and Kurashiki’s famous Denim Street There are also stores offering the chance to rent traditional kimono for an even more period-perfect stroll around the town (with professional assistance when it comes to the famously difficult task of putting them on) And if you find it tough to walk in your wooden geta sandals you can always take a ride on a canal boat instead make sure to book yourself into one of the old traditional Japanese houses available for overnight guests Other attractions include the Archaeological Museum and the old-fashioned residential vibes of the Honmachi and Higashimachi areas And no trip to Kurashiki would be complete without trying kibi dango These sweet millet dumplings are associated with the folk tale of Momotaro whose protagonist is also commemorated in the quirky surroundings of the Momotaro Karakuri Hakubutsukan Museum WEB：http://www.ohara.or.jp/en/ WEB：http://www.ohara.or.jp/en/gallery/ WEB：https://www.kurashiki-tabi.jp/for/en/bikan.html Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages The Japanese volleyball club aims for back-to-back titles in their return to the Philippines. The reigning PVL Invitational champions confirmed they would be returning to the Philippines for the second straight year for a title-retention bid.  “Last year, we won the same tournament and will challenge again as a defending champion. In addition, between games, we will return the favor as much as possible as an invited team through volleyball classes for children in poor areas and interaction with university teams.,” the team posted on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ??????? kurashiki_ablaze_official???? (@kurashiki.ablaze) The Japanese volleyball squad overcame perennial powerhouse Creamline in the championship decider last year winning in a thrilling five-set encounter.  Setter Ohshima Kyoka took home the Finals MVP award as she masterfully controlled the match for her squad Best Outside Spiker Asaka Tamaru memorably delivered the championship ace against Creamline She returned in the PVL Reinforced Conference playing as the import for new squad ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles along with Reinforced Conference semifinalists Akari Chargers and Creamline Cool Smashers are set to headline the Invitational Conference Kurashiki Ablaze may have found a crucial asset for their back-to-back title hopes in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference behind Malaysian-Taiwanese middle blocker Low Mei Cing The Kurashiki Ablaze may have found a new key piece to their back-to-back title aspirations in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference In their opening-day victory against Thailand’s EST Cola Kurashiki was led by Malaysian-Taiwanese middle blocker Low Mei Cing This was Cing’s first stint with Kurashiki in the Philippines owing her strong start to her coaches and teammates Thank you to our coach [Hideo Suzuki] because we trained really hard for this one so I'm very happy for that,” Cing said during the post-game press conference The 6-foot middle blocker admitted nerves set in their first match but looked more comfortable as the match continued I think because some of us are new members Though Kurashiki extended their undefeated run so far in the PVL following their four-set victory Cing knows that she and her teammates can do even better as they look to repeat as Invitational champions “I think we can get more experience because this is our first game in the Philippines Cing will look to improve her performance even further as Kurashiki takes on the Farm Fresh Foxied led by Asaka Tamaru tomorrow at 4:00 p.m The Creamline Cool Smashers hand the Kurashiki Ablaze their first-ever loss in PVL play The Creamline Cool Smashers reign supreme over the Kurashiki Ablaze in their 2024 PVL Invitational Conference preliminaries clash The Kurashiki Ablaze kicked off their 2024 PVL Invitational Conference campaign with a four-set victory over Thailand's EST Cola fueled by strong performances from Saya Tanaguchi and Honoka Doi Kurashiki Ablaze continued their winning ways in the PVL Invitational Conference after marking their return with a four-set victory over fellow guest team EST Cola of Thailand Kurashiki jumped ahead for a six-point lead at 12-6 courtesy of three straight kills by outside hitter Saya Tanaguchi tried to mount a comeback once more after cutting the lead to just two points at 19-21 after Panthita Khongnok’s service ace the Japanese squad had an answer as the Ablaze turned to Tanaguchi and Honoka Doi who combined to score the team’s final four points en route to the opening-day victory EST Cola managed to snatch the third set after holding off Kurashiki’s rally with its strong floor defense which they capitalized on with back-to-back hits to seal the frame Kurashiki flexed its might to extend its winning streak which dates back to last year’s conference Malaysian-Taiwanese import Low Mei Cing led the way for Kurashiki with 22 points on 19 attacks Mami Gondo and Saki Tanabe also had 11 apiece Warisara Seetaloed paced EST Cola with 14 points Nattharika Wasan scored 11 in the opening-day loss Up next for Kurashiki will be the Farm Fresh Foxies who added former player Asaka Tamaru to its roster for the conference Defending champions Kurashiki Ablaze remain undefeated in the PVL Invitational Conference with a sweep of the Farm Fresh Foxies The PVL will host both the start of the Invitational Conference and the Reinforced Conference finale between the Creamline Cool Smashers and Akari Chargers on the same day Even before the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference officially closes the Invitational Conference will also begin on Wednesday The tournament will open with the clash of the two foreign guest teams: the defending champions Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan and the returning EST Cola of Thailand at 1:00 p.m marking their return to the Philippines for the first time since 2016 [ALSO READ: Thailand’s Est Cola returns to Philippines for upcoming 2024 PVL Invitational Conference] will be led once more by 2023 Finals MVP Kyoka Ohshima will be without assistant coach Shota Sato and opposite spiker Asaka Tamaru who have taken on roles in the Philippines Sato is currently the coach of the Farm Fresh Foxies while Tamaru was the import of the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles and an assistant coach for the University of the East The Kurashiki-EST Cola match will kick off what is expected to be a thrilling triple-header tomorrow at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City Right after that will be the bronze medal match between the Cignal HD Spikers and PLDT High Speed Hitters [RELATED STORY: Revenge game incoming: Cignal, PLDT clash for podium finish in 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference] the Creamline Cool Smashers and Akari Chargers battle it out for the Reinforced Conference title [NEXT: Dynasty or destiny? Creamline, Akari set for epic finale in 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference final] Philippines – The Cignal HD Spikers returned to the PVL title round after two years stunning Invitational Conference champion Kurashiki Ablaze in five tight sets Import MJ Perez powered her way to 36 points built on 34 attacks who just played her second Cignal game since returning from national team duty with Alas Pilipinas We are so happy to get this win especially now that we have Dawn She brings huge contributions to the team,” Perez said after the game.  “I’m motivated because I really wanted to get this chance to play the final “It’s a huge opportunity now that we have a second chance to face Creamline It has been hard but we are here and we worked hard to be here so we will fight for it.” Cignal — which last made the PVL finals in the 2022 Reinforced Conference — has a chance to deny the Creamline Cool Smashers’ bid to become the league’s first-ever Grand Slam winner the HD Spikers lost a three-game series against the Petro Gazz Angels But Catindig and Perez are no strangers when it comes to winning championships together as the two were part of the 2017 Grand Prix title-winning F2 Logistics Cargo Movers squad in the defunct PSL “I feel so confident when I’m with Dawn in the court,” said Perez “Back when we won the championship [with F2 Logistics] we’ll combine all the powers.”    “Very excited for this opportunity to play a final again,” she added while Saki Tanabe chipped in 19 markers for Kurashiki which will face fellow guest team Est Cola of Thailand for the bronze medal at 4 pm at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.  Cignal and Creamline clash for the crown in the 6 pm do-or-die finale The Kurashiki Ablaze and Cignal HD Spikers will battle for the last finals spot in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference with both teams eager for a rematch against the Creamline Cool Smashers Who will have the opportunity to get revenge against the Creamline Cool Smashers in the finals of the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference After defeating both the defending champions Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan the Cool Smashers booked a finals ticket in the short conference [ALSO READ: Creamline asserts mastery of Cignal and the Cool Smashers book Finals slot in PVL Invitationals] This leaves just one ticket up for grabs between Kurashiki and Cignal for another shot at glory the earlier match between Creamline and the Farm Fresh Foxies also promises to be intriguing With everything on the line and the competition at its highest level Be sure to mark your calendars and take note of the upcoming match schedule Farm Fresh Foxies vs Creamline Cool Smashers The Cool Smashers will head into their match against the still-winless Foxies with the goal of securing a clean win heading into the finals Farm Fresh is coming off their heartbreaking five-set defeat against Thailand’s EST Cola and is looking to end their Invitational Conference campaign on a high note And what bigger way to gain confidence for the extended All-Filipino Conference than with a win against Creamline led by Trisha Tubu and import Asaka Tamaru to give it their all against Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons and import Erica Staunton The Ablaze experienced their first defeat in the PVL at the hands of the Cool Smashers The question now is—can the Japanese squad bounce back right away?  Also looking to bounce back are the HD Spikers, who saw their stars Dawn Macandili-Cantindig and Vanie Gandler return to action against Creamline [ALSO READ: PVL says Alas Pilipinas players can now re-join respective teams] With the two back and full training expected ahead of their match against Kurashiki expect the HD Spikers to go all out in their quest to reach just their second finals appearance in the PVL Watch the games this Wednesday LIVE on One Sports+ and the Pilipinas Live app The Kurashiki Ablaze finish at the podium after a straight sweep victory over Est Cola in the bronze medal match of the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference Kurashiki Ablaze secured a bronze medal in their second PVL Invitational defeating Est Cola in straight sets (25-22 25-20) on September 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum while Kyoko Oshima's late-game heroics and a block by Low Mei Cing sealed the win Despite a tough five-set loss to Cignal HD Spikers the day before with one win against the Farm Fresh Foxies with Saya Taniguchi leading the charge against the Farm Fresh Foxies in the PVL Invitational Conference *This article is based on the information as of November 2022 and the latest status may have changed Here’s an overview of this 8-day long itinerary: In the second article of our three-part series about my Osaka-Chugoku-Kyushu itinerary explore the Bikan Historical Area in Okayama Prefecture while enjoying fresh local fruits cycle along the famous Shimanami Kaido around the Seto Inland Sea visit must-see spots around historic Hiroshima Before I got too distracted by sightseeing a popular Onomichi ramen place near the station Onomichi ramen is characterized by a soy sauce-based broth and pork fat topping on the noodles Just smelling the scents wafting around the shop made me so excited to dig into our late lunch An essential part of the Shimanami Kaido is the Innoshima Ohashi Bridge with the upper part for high-speed traffic and the lower part for bicycles It’s an incredible experience to cycle through this part of the route I popped by Umezan for a meal of anago-meshi a scrumptious bowl of rice topped with seasoned anago I will be exploring more of the Kyushu region and its various activities Asaka Tamaru will play once again in the PVL Invitational Conference but this time she will be suiting for the Farm Fresh Foxies Asaka Tamaru will be back in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference she won’t be playing for the defending champions The Japanese outside hitter will join Farm Fresh Foxies who recently replaced the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the conference Tamaru is coming off her stint with the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the Reinforced Conference she and the young Thunderbelles went winless in the conference Tamaru impressed during her stint with ZUS Coffee and will now join Farm Fresh in their bid in the Invitational Conference which will see a five-team field instead after the Akari Chargers also decided to back out from the tournament [ALSO READ: PVL: Farm Fresh takes PLDT's spot in Invitational Conference, Akari also opts out due to nagging injuries] as they face their former team in Japan later on in the conference who was hailed the Best Outside Hitter during the tournament scored the championship-winning point for the Ablaze in their thrilling finals victory over the Creamline Cool Smashers The Invitational Conference will begin at 1 p.m. with the Kurashiki facing fellow guest team EST Cola of Thailand at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City TOPNewsFiscal 2022Asahi Kasei to construct biogas purification system at sewage treatment plant in Kurashiki demonstration trial on CO2 separation/recovery utilizing zeolite Asahi Kasei and Kurashiki City today concluded an agreement to hold a trial to evaluate and demonstrate the performance of a biogas purification system (the System) at a sewage treatment plant in the city the Mizushima Works of Asahi Kasei’s Production Center and Kurashiki City concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement for the realization of carbon neutrality in society Advancing the demonstration trial for decarbonization is one of the provisions of the partnership The System refines high-purity methane gas (biomethane) by removing CO2 from biogas utilizing Asahi Kasei’s newly developed adsorbent Unlike conventional adsorbents which adsorb methane together with CO2 This enables the System to efficiently separate and recover high-purity methane while recovering high-purity CO2 consists of approximately 60% methane and 40% CO2 While the use of biogas as a carbon-neutral fuel is rapidly expanding it is also a source of biomethane as a substitute for natural gas in Europe and the U.S electricity is generated using biogas derived from sewage sludge at the Kojima Sewage Treatment Plant The System will use a portion of this biogas for the demonstration trial If biomethane production using the System is combined with carbon capture and utilization or storage (CCUS) the separated gases are recombined to biogas as fuel for generating electricity Commercializion of the System is expected around 2025 or 2026 following additional trials in countries or regions where biogas purification is performed The technology will also be applied to CO2 separation and recovery from gases other than biogas The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world It is expected that commercialization of the CO2 adsorbent and the biogas purification system based on original technology will help society to effectively utilize clean environmental energy Cignal libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig wants to help HD Spikers overcome Japanese team Kurashiki Ablaze in the virtual playoff for the PVL Invitational Conference final under the guidance of new head coach Shota Sato and Japanese import Asaka Tamaru are looking to enhance their performance by integrating Japanese volleyball into their system The Farm Fresh Foxies are looking to improve even further following their last-minute addition to the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference Farm Fresh hired Shota Sato as the head coach before the start of the Reinforced Conference After finishing in eighth place and stepping up to replace the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the Invitational Conference, the Foxies tapped Asaka Tamaru to be their import In their first match of the tournament, Farm Fresh faced off the defending champions Kurashiki Ablaze, bowing in straight sets, 25-13, 25-16, 25-16 Tamaru would have wanted to bring home a win for the Foxies “[I really regret it because I wanted to win against Ablaze [Though] I really enjoyed the time and had a great experience with Farm Fresh,” Tamaru said in Japanese,interpreted by the Foxies' translator Despite their slow start to the conference Tamaru is seeing some positive things for the young Foxies squad after her stint with another rookie team in the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles most of the players were young and lacked experience which affected their strategy and made things difficult for them they have more experience and potential,” said Tamaru “The only thing they lack is mental toughness I hope to see more of their potential at Farm Fresh,” the 5-foot-7 Japanese outside hitter added [ALSO READ: PVL: Asaka Tamaru hopes to bring Japanese style and discipline to revamped ZUS Coffee] who marked his second conference coaching the Foxies admitted that the team only had two days of practice after accepting the PVL’s call to replace the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the tournament the Japanese tactician said they are grateful for more opportunities to improve themselves “I appreciate the experience and am grateful to PVL and Boss Frank But we believe they will improve gradually,” said Sato Sato hopes to integrate more Japanese volleyball into Farm Fresh and build a contending team “[I am] feeling the connection with Japan volleyball again [I am] also happy and want a mix of Philippine and Japanese volleyball for Farm Fresh,” said Sato FRIENDS OFF OF IT 🤝 Kurashiki Ablaze's head coach Hideo Suzuki gave some advice to recently named Best Opposite Spiker Trisha Tubu after the Farm Fresh Foxies' debut in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference while Saya Taniguchi and Asaka Tamaru quickly caught up with each other | via Jamie Velasco/One Sports Digital #OSTimeout #PVL2024 #TheHeartofVolleyball #OneSports #SportsonTiktok It is a somewhat curious experience walking through the streets of the Bikan old merchant district in Kurashiki the second largest city in Okayama Prefecture Surrounded by black-and-white storehouses and other buildings dating back to the Tokugawa and early Meiji periods you get the feeling of having just hopped off a time machine since several Japanese towns have sought to recreate the past in order to attract the tourist yen What sets Kurashiki apart is that many of the buildings you see are not reproductions — they are the actual buildings of the past although they have of course been renovated Kurashiki largely escaped the fire bombings of World War II that leveled nearly all of Japan’s cities even though it was home to several plants producing war material Although no one knows for sure why it was so fortunate one widely accepted story involves El Greco and a prodigal native son-turned-cultural benefactor for most of that period as part of the tenryo or territory directly administered by the Tokugawa Shogunate Its location near the Inland Sea made it a transport hub for many kinds of products After the Meiji Restoration it became a major textile production center Stucco-finished machiya townhouses with black tile roofs and white-walled kura-zukuri storehouses sprang up along the Kurashiki River and its vicinity stringing out along a line at the foot of low-lying hills on top of which is perched 1,700-year-old Achi Shrine Many of these machiya with their unique Kurashiki-style latticework have been converted into guest houses The area has the feel of China’s Jiangnan region an area rich in the natural beauty of water The primarily black-and-white colors of the houses and businesses in Bikan and the adjoining Honmachi/Higashimachi artisan district create an aesthetically pleasing and far-from-stark atmosphere making them collectively perhaps the most picturesque merchant quarter in all of Japan Local residents still live in these buildings although businesses of all kinds — ranging from art galleries and even izakaya and jazz coffee shops — front the streets The main dish of any trip to the Bikan district is a visit to the Ohara Museum of Art easily recognizable by its Parthenon-inspired facade this — Japan’s oldest museum of modern art — houses an astonishing collection But All Will Be Resurrected through God’s Love by Belgian artist Leon Frederic (1983-1918) The Asian Gallery houses some beautiful Buddhist sculptures from the Northern Wei Dynasty as well as Silk Road pieces in the Gandara style Another collection devoted to the mingei folk art movement contains some interesting works by Soetsu Yanagi and Bernard Leach Be sure to take a close look at Monet’s Water Lilies Then go outside the main building to view the pond filled with water lilies sent from the original site that inspired the painting in France That brings us back to El Greco and the story of the firm friendship between a culturally-inclined local entrepreneur and a dedicated artist named Torajiro Kojima (1881-1929) who studied in Europe and became well-acquainted with the latest trends there Ohara had early on been struck by the talent of the young painter and sponsored his studies (He was hardly the only promising young artist or scholar helped out by Ohara.) Ohara did not hesitate to provide Kojima with huge sums of money to take several trips to purchase works for his private collection trusting totally in Kojima’s honesty and taste in art Ohara built the museum to house the many art works that Kojima had acquired for him One of those pieces was El Greco’s Annunciation which Kojima persuaded Ohara to buy sight unseen for a princely price which had been appointed by the League of Nations to investigate the Mukden Incident of 1931 that led to Japan’s takeover of Manchuria visited Japan in connection with their mission they expressly headed to Kurashiki to visit the museum and view this painting among others They supposedly brought back word of how rich the collection was and this high opinion eventually influenced Allied leaders to spare the city from among the targets for the bombing campaign on the Japanese homeland during World War II In some ways Kurashiki might be said to be a living monument to one man Born the third son of a wealthy local landowner he became the clan heir after his two older brothers died young the bright but libertine Magosaburo ran up debts the equivalent of one hundred million yen in today’s money he applied himself to business but never lost his taste for the finer things in life Ohara built up a business empire based on textiles and chemicals: Kurashiki Boseki (today’s Kurabo) and Kurashiki Kenshoku (today’s Kuraray) After making the acquaintance of a charismatic Protestant minister named Juji Ishii Magosaburo converted to Christianity and became a committed philanthropist founded one of the best hospitals in East Asia financed university-level agricultural research the Ohara clan had long been known in the area for its progressive attitude in how it treated its workers and the community in general Magosaburo was also distressed by the confrontational tone of capital-labor relations in Japan To try to find new models that would balance the interests of both employers and employees he founded the Ohara Institute for Social Research and the Kurashiki Institute for the Science of Labor and all of these social initiatives of Ohara survive today in one form or another Ohara’s efforts even gained begrudging admiration from Marxist economists and his main focus was on successfully managing his companies arguing that harmonious labor relations made for good business he wanted to extend knowledge to his neighbors which brought famous speakers — such as Inazo Nitobe and former prime minister Shigenobu Okuma — to his hometown The series of 76 seminars attracted up to 3,000 participants each time and the attendees included future political leaders such as postwar prime minister Nobusuke Kishi when he was still a junior high school student “Later generations should not brag about what their ancestors did; their duty is to correct the mistakes of their ancestors.” Adjoining the museum is the placid Shinkei-en garden Be sure to go to the other side of the canal to visit the Ohara House which is a Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property and get a feel of how a wealthy merchant family in premodern Japan lived The library has been turned into an inviting coffee shop Directly across the lane is the richly-hued Yurinso Villa or “Green Palace” that Magosaburo built for his wife It is usually only open to the public on special occasions There are many other places to explore in the Bikan historical district including the Kurashiki Museum of Folklore and the Ivy Square shopping mall (built on the site of one of Ohara’s former textile mills) which houses the Kurabo Memorial Hall and Torajiro Kojima Memorial Hall Kurashiki is located about half an hour outside of the city of Okayama, which is a major stop on the Shinkansen. Kurashiki’s own train station is accessible by local train from Okayama and by other rail and bus routes John Carroll is a Kyoto-based freelance writer You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " The Japanese side made quick work of the Foxies in a 25-13 25-16 rout for their second win in as many days and eighth straight without defeat since their title-winning debut campaign in 2023 Despite the loss, reuniting with Ablaze, albeit as opponents this time, was a treat for Sato and his partner Tamaru Asaka — and at the same time ignited the Farm Fresh mentor’s desire to bring a winning brand of volleyball featuring the styles of play in both his homeland and his home away from home “I’m happy to experience Japanese volleyball again (vs Kurashiki) because the way they move the ball is very effective,” Sato said in Nihonggo Asaka added: “I regret not getting the win I really wanted over Ablaze but I’m really enjoying my time so far with Farm Fresh.” The former PVL best outside hitter returned to the country as ZUS Coffee’s foreign guest player in its winless Reinforced Conference campaign Asaka heeded the call to be the Foxies' last-minute replacement import for the Invitationals Help build their ‘mental toughness.’ almost all the players were still very young and lacked experience That’s why we fell short and had a hard time executing our strategies in games Farm Fresh also has a young group of players but they’re more experienced and have a lot of potential as a team,” Asaka said but I hope I can help them bring out that potential to be stronger mentally.” Kurashiki head coach Hideo Suzuki Farm Fresh’s concurrent team consultant says the bond remains strong between him and his former Ablaze mates as he hopes Asaka and Sato continue to grow in their new home “I heard Tamaru only recently joined Farm Fresh so I think they didn't have much time to prepare But I can see their game is gradually improving I just need to help him level up,” said Suzuki it was a good performance because we finally played the Ablaze way of volleyball “It doesn’t matter for us which team we face. We’ll just do what we do and play our game the way we know best,” he added ahead of a sought-after rematch of the 2023 Invitational Conference finals with Creamline on Sunday Tokyo’s Kappabashi Kitchenware Street is famous for having everything you could possibly need for cooking from utensils and clothing to the food models used in shop window displays Thanks to its great location between the tourist destination of Asakusa and Ueno (which is the last stop on a train that comes directly from Narita Airport) it’s frequented not only by professional chefs looking for specific tools but more recently by foreign travelers as well we asked Dominique Corby to give us a tour of Kappabashi from a professional’s perspective Corby arrived in Japan in 1994 as the executive chef for the Japan location of the exclusive French restaurant La Tour d’argent the number of foreign visitors to the city has grown Tony: I first came to Japan at the age of 26 I was an associate professor in Shizuoka Prefecture then I transferred to Okayama and I’ve been here 15 years now One reason I like Okayama is the sense that you’re never far from history The condo where I live now is really close to Okayama Castle Tony: Japanese people sometimes ask me if I find Okayama dull compared to big cities like Tokyo or Osaka but I was raised in a suburban area of California I love Okayama because it has an atmosphere you don’t get in big cities – the trams that run through the streets Tony fell in love with the Bizen-yaki pottery made in Okayama We asked how he became interested in this craft Tony: I had heard people from Okayama talking about Bizen-yaki with great pride and had sensed that it was something very important to local people a colleague gave me a Bizen-yaki beer cup as a gift I was totally captivated by its uniquely soft feel I felt I had begun to understand why the people of Okayama are so proud of Bizen-yaki The first stop on our tour was the Bizen-yaki Workshop in the tower of Okayama Castle where you can try making a piece of Bizen-yaki yourself With English-language manuals for foreign visitors even a beginner can make a piece in about an hour The characteristic red patterns are made by straw that is wrapped around the piece before firing Tony: So that’s why the colors and patterns of Bizen-yaki seem so naturally delicate and why no two pieces are exactly the same You start by placing a lump of clay on a turntable called a rokuro but it’s quite hard to get a well-balanced shape I want it to be a size that can be used for sake or for tea then wrap straw around it to create a pattern and after about a month the finished piece is ready The workshop will ship your creation to any address in Japan or overseas Tony: I tried my hand at pottery just once before but today I had someone teaching me properly and I think I’ve made something I can be proud of Making traditional Bizen-yaki in the tower of Okayama Castle is a wonderful experience I’m definitely going to recommend it to my foreign friends we took a 16-minute train ride from Okayama to Kurashiki including wooden structures dating back to the samurai era traditional atmosphere of the streets makes you feel you have slipped back in time Kurashiki Ichiyogama is a specialist Bizen-yaki store housed in a beautiful building with white walls and windows with vertical bars Michio Kimura comes from a family who have made Bizen-yaki for more than 300 years but apparently the slight roughness of the surface makes sake and water taste mellower Tony: I love the rough texture of Bizen-yaki and it tastes better too — and now I see that comes from the tiny irregularities of the surface Sake also tastes better if the tokkuri (flask) and guinomi (cups) are Bizen-yaki but I think next time I’ll recommend her to try a Bizen-yaki cup Tony handled different pieces of Bizen-yaki He was surprised to find a large pot that could be used as a wine cooler Kimura gave Tony some advice on looking after Bizen-yaki: because it’s unglazed The secret to making it last is to wash it up using just your hands Tony: So it seems there are a few knacks to making your Bizen-yaki last just the kind of thing you’d expect in Japan with its distinctive rough surface and plain shapes is considered to embody the wabi-sabi aesthetic but I guess you could say it’s the beauty of things that are imperfect things that are worn and faded… Over the years I’ve lived in Japan I think I’ve started to understand it a little There’s a kind of beauty in the very fact that there are some things you can’t control like the random patterns created by yakishime firing the beauty of wabi-sabi is a little like a snapshot that has turned out miraculously well we visited an izakaya called Mingeichaya Shinsui around five minutes’ walk from Kurashiki Ichiyogama and the food is served in a variety of Japanese porcelain and pottery dishes but Mingeichaya Shinsui is always busy with regular customers I’m always impressed by the beauty of the renovated traditional Japanese house it occupies and by the great variety of Japanese dishes on offer There are so many dishes on the menu I can never decide so I ask the owner what he recommends today The buta no kakuni (sweet and salty pork belly) is so good I never used to order anything else Tony: What I like best about coming here is you get to enjoy the combination of Japanese food and Japanese ceramics and apparently his collection of sake utensils alone is more than 400 items and not just because of the person who made it: it changes depending on the person using it presenting different foods together on it — enhances its attractiveness This article covers just a few of the Bizen-yaki spots around Okayama I learned many things about Bizen-yaki today about 40 minutes from Okayama Station by train You can see the remains of a kiln built more than 180 years ago including Okayama Castle and Tsuyama Castle which has been voted one of the top 100 places to view cherry blossom in Japan which is less than an hour by car from central Okayama which has beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea Even I still have a lot to learn about the pleasures of Okayama https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/chugoku/okayama/ https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/905/ Access: Okaden Bus from JR Okayama Station to Kencho-mae http://okayama-kanko.net/ujo/ Access: 15 minutes’ walk from JR Okayama Station Access: 1 minute’s walk from JR Imbe Station https://touyuukai.jp/en-index/en-museum.html The media were given a preview of the new flying car exhibition in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture a day before it officially opened on November 10 The exhibition is organized by the Mizushima Aero and Space Industry Cluster Study Group (MASC) a general incorporated association that achieved Japan's first outdoor manned flight of a flying car in February 2023 expressed high hopes for the exhibition: "We want many people to learn about flying cars and the latest technology by seeing and experiencing the actual vehicle." along with hands-on activities such as electronic crafts workshops The exhibition is open year-round from 10:00 am to 5:00 am Entrance fees are set at ¥500 JPY (about $3 USD) for adults ¥200 JPY ($1 USD) for elementary and junior high school students (Read the article in Japanese.) 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