What other travelers are saying about Kataraiza Ohara Main Residence (Former Ohara Family Residence)
Given the extensive presence of the Oharas in Kurashiki, I was hoping to get a better sense of this family. There are not very many rooms available for viewing but the tatami room plus garden make the visit worthwhile. The cafe in the library room offers coffee served in locally-made pottery cups, enjoy in view of the garden if you can.
Entrance is 500 Y. Most of the interior is not accesible but i think the beauty lies in the garden. If i could only just sit and enjoy the peace and natural beauty of the garden. It would be nicer to go in December when the Maple leaves turn red. The staff are so friendly and nice. Even though the visit was within 15 mins, was worth supporting the preservation of Kurashiki heritage and history.
A beautiful property which acts as a museum, with access to several small rooms describing the history of the family and showcasing some of their possessions. It's disappointing that most of the information is only in Japanese , though if you aren't a big fan of history then that won't bother you as they give you a booklet with a little bit of background info.
The entrance has hanging quotes of the heads of the house, with his mercantile mindset for business shown "I can foresee ahead ten years", or "Business must be begun by the time three of ten people agree with it. It's too late when 5 people agree and it's no use when 7 people agree"
The highlight of the visit is the architecture of the buildings and the beautiful garden out the back. The cafe also looks nice and it's situated inside the library.
Ohara Residence – A Hidden Masterpiece in Kurashiki
Tucked away in the historic heart of Kurashiki, the former Ohara Residence is a quiet triumph of Japanese domestic architecture. Elegant, serene, and impeccably preserved, it whispers the refined lifestyle of a bygone era.
But what truly sets it apart is the garden and the room that opens onto it. Simply extraordinary. This is not just a garden — it’s one of the finest examples of residential landscape design in Japan. Every stone, branch, and reflection seems placed with effortless grace. From the tatami room, the view is pure poetry: framed, minimal, alive.
It’s a place to sit, breathe, and feel time slow down. Understated, timeless, unforgettable.
Amazing garden during fall,
The rest of the old house is also very interesting to look at.
You get a discount if you also go to the Ohata museum later that day ;)
The residence closes on Mondays, except when Monday is a public holiday. It also closes during the New Year period. Occasional private reservations may cause temporary closures. Check the official website calendar before visiting.
General admission is 500 yen. High school students and below pay 400 yen. Group discounts for 20 or more people reduce rates to 400 yen for general visitors and 200 yen for students.
No. The residence has no parking facilities. Use nearby public parking in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. The site is a 15-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station.
Access to all exhibition areas including the "Pouring Words" installation, Nakakura storehouses with family artifacts and timeline, the Contemplation Room overlooking the Japanese garden, and the book cafe with approximately 2,000 volumes from the Ohara family collection.
A thorough visit takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes to explore the exhibition spaces, storehouses, garden views, and book cafe. The residence can be combined with a visit to the Ohara Museum of Art directly across the Kurashiki River.
