Kurayoshi was one of the quieter stops on our 23 day slow train route through western Japan, and that was exactly what made it memorable. We stayed for 2 nights, using the city as a slower stop between bigger names on the Sanin Line.
It is not a place packed with major sights, but Kurayoshi has a lovely old town, some excellent coffee, a wonderfully odd pear museum and one of the most atmospheric abandoned railway walks we found in Japan.
Where We Stayed in Kurayoshi
We stayed at Hotel St Palace Kurayoshi, just opposite Kurayoshi Station.
The location was very convenient for arriving and leaving by train, but it did mean we needed to catch a bus into the old town area. That trade-off worked fine for us, especially as Kurayoshi’s buses were straightforward enough once we knew where we were going.
Why Visit Kurayoshi?
Kurayoshi is best known for its White Wall Warehouses district, a preserved old merchant area with canals, stone bridges, red-tiled roofs and traditional buildings. It is small, peaceful and easy to explore slowly.
The town also has a few historic residences, cafés, local beer and one very unusual museum dedicated entirely to pears. And if you are willing to make the effort, the abandoned former Kurayoshi railway line near Sekigane is genuinely special.
Kurayoshi probably is not somewhere we would cross Japan specifically to visit, but as a stop on a slow regional train journey, it worked beautifully.
Things to Do in Kurayoshi
Walk Around the White Wall Warehouses District
The prettiest part of Kurayoshi is the White Wall Warehouses district, also known as 白壁土蔵群.
This is the area to wander without much of a plan. You’ll find old storehouses, canals, small bridges, shops, cafés and quiet streets that feel very different from Japan’s larger tourist towns.
We especially liked walking around 東仲町通り / Higashinakamachi Street, where the old buildings and waterways give Kurayoshi its most photogenic side.
Visit Toyoda Family Residence
Toyoda Family Residence is one of Kurayoshi’s traditional merchant houses. It is a good stop if you want to understand a little more about the town’s historic architecture rather than just walking past the old buildings from the outside.
It is not a huge attraction, but it fits nicely into a slow walk around the old town.
Visit Kurayoshi Yodoya, Former Makita Family Residence
We also visited Kurayoshi Yodoya, the former Makita Family Residence. This old merchant house is now a small museum and is one of the most interesting historic buildings in town.
One of our favourite memories from Kurayoshi was meeting the lovely volunteer ladies here. Nobody spoke much English, but somehow we still had a brilliant conversation, with plenty of smiling, pointing, translation attempts and shared enthusiasm.
Sometimes those small human moments are the things you remember most.
Visit Daigakuin Temple
Daigakuin Temple is another quiet stop you can add while exploring Kurayoshi. Like much of the city, it is not about rushing through major attractions, but about slowing down and letting the town unfold a little.
Visit Nashikkokan, the Tottori Nijusseiki Pear Museum
One of the strangest and most fun places we visited in Kurayoshi was Nashikkokan, the Tottori Nijusseiki Pear Museum.
Yes, it is a museum about pears. And yes, it is much better than that sounds.
Tottori is famous for its 20th Century Pears, and this museum is dedicated to the history, farming and culture around them. It is slightly odd, very wholesome and surprisingly enjoyable. If you like regional museums that fully commit to one very specific thing, you’ll probably enjoy it too.
Find the Abandoned Kurayoshi Railway Line
Our favourite side trip from Kurayoshi was visiting the old abandoned railway line near Sekigane.
The former Kurayoshi Line once ran from Kurayoshi towards Yamamori, but it closed in 1985. Today, parts of the old track remain, including a beautiful section through bamboo forest near the former Taikyuji Station area.
It felt like something from a Studio Ghibli film: old railway tracks, bamboo, greenery and absolutely no crowds when we visited. It took a bit more effort to reach by bus, but it was completely worth it.
If you want to visit the old tracks yourself, we’ve written a separate guide on how to find the abandoned Kurayoshi Railway Line with bus details, walking times and the route to the bamboo grove.
Where to Eat and Drink in Kurayoshi
Harukiya Cafe
Harukiya Cafe was a lovely stop in the old town area. It is set in a renovated traditional building and makes a good coffee break while exploring the White Wall Warehouses district.
BrewLab KURAYOSHI
BrewLab KURAYOSHI is a local craft beer spot in the old town, close to the warehouse district. If you like finding small local breweries while travelling, this is an easy one to add to your Kurayoshi walk.
Yokohama Iekei Ramen Yoshiokaya Kurayoshi Station Branch
Near the station, we ate at 横浜家系ラーメン吉岡家 倉吉駅前店, a ramen shop close to Kurayoshi Station.
It was convenient, filling and exactly what we needed after a day of buses and walking. It also stood out because the shop was run by women, which made it feel a little different from many ramen places we had visited.
How Many Days Do You Need in Kurayoshi?
1 Day
One day is enough to see the White Wall Warehouses district, visit one or two historic houses, stop for coffee and get a feel for the old town.
2 Days
We stayed 2 nights, which gave us time to explore Kurayoshi slowly and also make the trip out to the abandoned railway line near Sekigane. If you are following a slow regional train route, this felt like the right amount of time.
3+ Days
You probably only need three days or more if you want to use Kurayoshi as a base for nearby areas, visit Misasa Onsen, or explore more of central Tottori Prefecture.
Getting Around Kurayoshi
Kurayoshi Station is not right beside the old town, so you will probably need to use local buses unless you have a car.
For the White Wall Warehouses district, look for buses heading towards the old town / Akagawara / Shirakabe area. For the abandoned railway line, you’ll need a bus towards Sekigane, then a walk.
As always with rural Japan, check the return bus times before heading out, especially if you are visiting places outside the city centre.
Final Thoughts on Kurayoshi
Kurayoshi is quiet, gentle and a little unusual. The old town is pretty, the coffee was good, the pear museum was far more fun than expected, and the abandoned railway line was one of the most memorable detours of our western Japan trip.
It is not a blockbuster destination, and that is part of the appeal. For us, Kurayoshi worked best as a slow stop on our 23 day slow train route through western Japan, giving us time to enjoy a smaller city that many travellers simply pass by.
