This town, located in Okayama Prefecture in the Chugoku Region of Japan, developed into an important river port when the Shogun’s government took direct control of it in the Edo Period (1600-1868). As a result, a number of elegant warehouse-style buildings were built to store rice and other valuable commodities. Today, these elegant buildings are preserved and protected in the historical bikan district as rare and authentic examples of old Japan. They are all near a beautiful, willow-lined canal, and when walking among them you will feel like you have been transported back in time. A number of the buildings now house various interesting museums and restaurants.