As it continues from Honmachi Street, Higashimachi Street is also a street where you can feel the exquisite harmony between history and everyday life. It has a more relaxed atmosphere than Honmachi Street and is less touristy, so you can get a glimpse of the quiet lives of the people. Starting with the grand presence of the Kusunoki family, a kimono merchant, the eaves roof signs and remnants of wells that can be seen here and there in the old townscape, this is a street where you can feel the unique charm of Kurashiki.
The Kurashiki Byobu Festival is held every year in mid-October, attracting many visitors.

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 Honmachi Street, located on the north side of the Kurashiki River, is a street lined with lacquered townhouses, giving off a down-to-earth atmosphere. This area still retains many vestiges of the Edo period, but it is also lined with many old shops and residences closely linked to daily life, making it a vibrant place where you can feel the lifestyle and breath of the people who live there.
Recently, there has been a surge in efforts to revive these townhouses, and a variety of shops have opened in renovated houses, including Kurashiki canvas shops, a traditional craft, hat shops, boutiques, galleries, cafes and ice cream shops, and the area continues to transform into an interesting mix of "tradition" and "modern." You can stroll around the area enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and bubbling energy.