Kurashiki

Kurashiki City is the "Bikan district city." Kurashiki has the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. Edo-period townscape is preserved. White-walled warehouses. Willow-lined streets. For Kurashiki residents, "history" is pride. Kurashiki's population is about 480,000. Okayama Prefecture's 2nd largest city (after Okayama City). For Kurashiki residents, "old things" have value. Not interested in "new things." Kurashiki residents protect "tradition." Protect the Bikan district. Kurashiki residents live "slowly." Slowly walk the Bikan district. Slowly feel history. But motorsport is the sport of "speed." Fighting for every second. Opposite to Kurashiki residents' time perception. Kurashiki has the Mizushima Industrial Area. Petrochemicals, steel. Some Kurashiki residents work in factories. For Kurashiki residents, "cars" are "products." Made in factories. But not "hobbies." Kurashiki has no circuit. Nearest is Okayama International Circuit (Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, about 80km). If Kurashiki residents want to do motorsport, need to go to a different region in the prefecture. But Kurashiki residents don't go that far. Kurashiki residents view the "Bikan district." Don't view "circuits." For Kurashiki residents, "history" has value. But "speed" has no value. Kurashiki residents live in a city where Edo-period townscape remains. The "modern culture" called motorsport doesn't fit Kurashiki residents.