I went on a one-week trip through the west of Japan and my first stop was Kurashiki. The charming little town near Okayama is also known as the “Venice of Japan” because of its small canals and Japanese-style gondolas. The most scenic spot is the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (倉敷美観地区), also just known as the canal area. While you can easily explore the whole district on foot, many guests choose a more traditional way and ride one of the rickshaws or gondolas.
