I love the novelty of Japanese tourist towns; how they take an idea such as Old Edo, a forgotten trade or a local dish and make it the theme in the entire village. The Town of Kurashiki is no different – these perfectly maintained buildings from the early 1900's showcase sake demonstrations, hand made soba noodles and hundreds of souvenir stores selling trinkets from Japanese folk lore. A definite highlight is the Toy Museum, where the owner showcases a variety of toys from all over the country dating back hundreds of years. Spend the time to request an English guide, and you won’t regret it!