Located in the center of the scenic area, the Kurashiki River is its symbol. The three bridges that cross the river, the boats floating down the river, the willow trees lining the river, the white-walled storehouses, the town houses, and Western-style architecture such as the Ohara Museum of Art combine to form the beautiful scenery of the scenic area.
The sightseeing riverboats that run slowly down the Kurashiki River allow you to enjoy the scenery and townscape from a low angle, and are so popular that they are fully booked during the tourist season.
The Kurashiki River was once a bustling river with riverboats carrying goods, but as development of the surrounding area progressed, restrictions were put on transport by boat, and it ceased to be used as a canal after the Kojima Bay closure dike was built in 1959. The subsequent tourism boom prompted the Kurashiki River to be improved, and in 1979 the Kurashiki Riverside was designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
The Kurashiki River still retains the atmosphere from the Edo period, and various facilities remain, including the three bridges, Imabashi, Nakabashi, and Takasagobashi, as well as night lights, a wharf, and a gangi (staircase) for loading and unloading boats.

Kurashiki Monogatarikan was constructed in the mid-Edo period, and its dignified Nagayamon gate on the south side, the alley on the west side, and the four storehouses create a beautiful and calm atmosphere, conveying the atmosphere of the Edo period to the present day.
The Kurashiki Story Hall was renovated by the city of Kurashiki from the former Higashi Ohashi family home, and opened in 2009 as a tourist hub to improve the mobility of tourists visiting Kurashiki, and as a place for cultural exchange and activities for local residents. As it is located at the entrance to the scenic area, it plays the role of first conveying the "Kurashiki-ness" to tourists visiting the scenic area.
The main Nagayamon gate is used as a tourist information corner, and the first floor of the two-story wooden main building in the center of the site houses an exhibition corner that conveys the traditional townscape of Kurashiki. Other facilities include a multi-purpose hall, exhibition room, and cafe.

The "Katariza Ohara Residence (former Ohara family residence)" is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, which was gradually renovated from the late Edo period through to the Taisho period, and took on its current appearance by the early Meiji period. Construction of the main house began in 1795, and the tatami room area was later added. Beyond that is a large garden, and behind the main house are a row of storehouses, which also serve as fire prevention measures.
The main house is two-story with a traditional Japanese tile roof and features Kurashiki windows and lattices. The storehouse is built of earthen walls with tiles attached to the lower part of the exterior and finished with namako walls.
The Former Ohara Residence is a building that characterizes the landscape of Kurashiki's townscape and is a beautiful townhouse architecture unique to Kurashiki.
In the Meiji era, the Ohara family participated in the establishment of Kurashiki Spinning Company (Kurabo), which later grew into what could be called a zaibatsu conglomerate, building numerous facilities including Kurabo Central Hospital (now Kurashiki Central Hospital) and the Ohara Museum of Art.
It is currently open to the public as an exhibition and exchange facility called "Katariza Ohara Hontei," and in addition to the Ohara family's collection and artworks, it introduces the journey of eight generations of the Ohara family through creative exhibits such as "Falling Words" and "Cube Tree." There is also a book cafe surrounded by the Ohara family's collection of books.