Getting There -- By Train -- If you're arriving in Kurashiki by Shinkansen (which takes about 4 1/2 hr. from Tokyo and costs ¥15,850/$132 for an unreserved seat; it's almost 2 hr. from Kyoto), you'll arrive at Shin-Kurashiki Station, about 9.5km (6 miles) west of Kurashiki Station and the heart of the city; the local train that runs between the two stations departs about every 15 minutes and takes 9 minutes. Note, however, that because Shin-Kurashiki Station is not the town's most convenient station for sightseeing and is not a major stop on the Shinkansen (not all trains stop here), if you're coming from the east it's much easier to disembark from the Shinkansen in Okayama and transfer to a local train for the 12-minute ride directly to Kurashiki Station. Your JR Rail Pass is good on all trains.

By Bus -- The same buses that depart from Tokyo's Shinjuku and Shinagawa stations for Okayama continue onward to Kurashiki, arriving in Kurashiki about 40 minutes after their Okayama stop and costing ¥10,400 ($87).

Visitor Information -- There's a tourist information office on the second floor of Kurashiki Station (tel. 086/426-8681) near the ticket wicket, and it has maps in English and a leaflet, "Stroll around Kurashiki." Another information office, called the Kurashiki-Kan (tel. 086/422-0542), is right on the canal in the historic district; ironically the only Western-looking wooden building in the area (built in 1916), it also distributes a map and brochure and has a rest area with tables and vending machines. Both offices are open daily from 9am to 6pm (to 5pm in winter).

Orientation -- The willow-lined canal, called the Bikan Historical Area, is only a 10-minute walk from Kurashiki Station; take the south exit and walk south on Chuo Dori, turning left just before the Kurashiki Kokusai Hotel. In fact, you can walk virtually everywhere of interest in Kurashiki; the Bikan Historical Area is zoned mostly for pedestrians.