By plane

A shuttle bus will take you from the Okayama airport to JR Kurashiki Station in approximately 45 minutes (¥1000). Tickets can be purchased from a vending machine outside of the airport. Large luggage is okay; the driver will stow it underneath the seats. Staff at the information booth just beyond baggage claim are very helpful, and will go outside with you to purchase the ticket and get you on the appropriate bus. Like most buses in Japan, the driver will collect the ticket when you disembark.
Connections can also be made with the Hiroshima airport, via shuttle bus to Okayama (2 hours, ¥2100).

By bus

Several companies run daytime and overnight bus routes from Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Matsuyama,Tokushima, Kochi, Fukuoka, and elsewhere. Operators include Chugoku JR Bus Company and 123bus. Buses arrive and depart outside the north exit of JR Kurashiki Station.

By train

Kurashiki is on the San'yo Main Line between Okayama and Fukuyama.
The best way to reach Kurashiki from the San'yo Shinkansen is to transfer to a local train at Okayama  the ride takes about 15 minutes. Note that the limited express trains between Okayama and Kurashiki are more than twice as expensive, and will only save you a couple of minutes. However, if you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can take either a local or a limited express; on the latter, hop onto any non-reserved car and simply flash your rail pass to the conductor, declaring Kurashiki as your destination.
 

Ohara Museum of Art, Senichi Hoshino Museum, Momotaro Museum, Entsuji Temple, Insect Museum, City Art Museum

Ohara Museum of Art

Houses a deservedly renowned collection of classic European and American art, including major works by Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Matisse, and many others. There's another building for exhibitions by modern Japanese artists, which tend to be very good. Set aside some time to wander the grounds as well, with Rodin statues out front, a small sculpture garden out back, and neoclassical columns beatifically out of character with the rest of the area. ¥1000 adults, ¥600 students

Senichi Hoshino Museum

Kurashiki native Sen'ichi Hoshino was a long-time pitcher and manager for the Chunichi Dragons of Japanese pro baseball; now, as manager and director of the Hanshin Tigers, his open hatred of the Yomiuri Giants has renewed focus. This recently-opened museum collects some of his memorabilia and career highlights. Adults ¥500, students ¥200.

Momotaro Museum

With the figure of Momotaro outside and souvenirs sold inside, it is often mistaken by foreign tourists as just another shop and a cute photo-op, but this building is actually a "museum of mystery" dedicated to Momotaro, the Peach Boy. The museum features a variety of fun and interactive mind tricks that bear no real connection to the tale but are quite fun, especially for children. From there, prepare yourself for a walk through the dark lair of the ogres that Momotaro defeated before ascending the stairs to see some historical depictions of the tale and other items of nostalgia. Adults ¥600, young students ¥400, children ¥10

Entsuji Temple

Entsuji Temple is famous as the site where the famous poet Priest Ryokan wrote many of his most famous poems. From the temple grounds, there is an impressive view of the factories in the Kojima area, as well as the Seto Inland Sea. This temple is also the seventh temple along the Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage route.

City Art Museum

Exhibits of work by artists from Kurashiki, with a focus on the renowned painter Yoson Ikeda (1895-1988). The building, designed by Kenzo Tange, is an odd attempt to reinterpret warehouses of the Bikan area in concrete. ¥200 adults, ¥100 students.

Insect Museum

Pinned and displayed for your examination. It's about ten minutes north of the Bikan area, though, so it's only worth seeking out for serious entomology fans.
 

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Information not available

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