Kurashiki Ivy Square (Review)

Kurashiki was a flourishing trading port during the Edo period (1603 – 1868) and was part of Japan’s industrial emergence during the Meiji Restoration (1868 – 1889). The Kurabo Industries group is founded in 1888 and opens its 1rst cotton spinning factory (Kurashiki Bosekijo) the next year, in Bikan’s district, that was housed in constructions designed and equipped following the model of Great Britain’s textile manufactures.

The modern architecture, characteristic of the Meiji Era with red bricks (akarenga) walls covered with ivy vines for a natural insulation, has been preserved and named "Kurashiki Ivy Square". In 1974, the former industrial site is converted into a hotel 🏨 and a cultural complex, including among other things, a history museum dedicated to the factory, a pottery studio and a regional crafts shop. Several parts of the venue can also be rented for private events.

Staying at a former Meiji Era industrial site

Kurashiki Ivy Square’s hotel section welcomes visitors for an overnight stay in a registered site of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution. Ranking in the 3-stars category, it provides comfortable standard rooms equipped with the basic necessities, such as:

• One or several Western-style bed(s);
• A desk with a TV and a tea and coffee set; and,
• A bathroom unit with toilets and a plastic bath tub.

Superficies start at 15m² for a single room, and rooms up to 17 to 21m² can accommodate 2 guests. The upscale range has a 51m² royal suite. On a side note, the rooms have been renovated during the Covid 🦠 pandemic and now display a simple design using light wood surfaces, with an ecological mindset regarding the provided cosmetics and soaps. The new interior design starkly contrasts with the common areas that have kept their original look, namely white walls clad with darker wainscoting and a black and red tiles checkerboard floor.

The hotel’s customers can also enjoy a shared hot bath, with different spaces for men and women, in the same way as the Japanese onsen ♨️ hot springs.

Western and Japanese-style cuisine

The hotel’s daily catering service is provided by its restaurant Tsuta, from the buffet breakfast (with hot, cold, sweet or savory dishes) to lunch and dinner. The meals are Japanese or of Western inspiration and use local ingredients sourced in the Setouchi area.

While travelers in Okayama prefecture can enjoy Kurashiki Ivy Square throughout the year, it is particularly beautiful in summer, when the ivy’s young leaves spread on the building’s walls, and in autumn 🍁 with the changing of colors. In winter, the vines lay bare and let the sun rays warm up the red bricks.