What to know
Kurashiki Ivy Square (倉敷アイビースクエア) is a cluster of ivy-covered brick buildings housing a museum, restaurants, and a hotel. This site was home to Japan's first modern cotton mill, and the brick structures were originally built as part of the mill in 1889. Before the mill, the location served as offices for the local magistrate, who governed Kurashiki as the shogun's direct representative.
By establishing Japan's first modern cotton mill, the Kurashiki Bosekijo (Kurashiki Spinning Mill) company, also known as Kurabo, profited from introducing new industrial techniques to the country. Kurabo remains active today in textiles and other industries. The company has set up a memorial hall in one of the former cotton warehouses, tracing its history. Several other museums are located within and around Ivy Square:
Ratings: best of the best best of Japan outstanding
Ivy Square is just a short walk from the southern part of Kurashiki's preserved canal area.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 10:00 to 16:00 (entry until 15:45)
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- 300 yen (~$1.92)
- English name
- Kurabo Memorial Hall
- Original name
- Ivy Square
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.