Historic Storehouses (kura) in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture

Kurashiki is located on the Takahashi River, and became a busy and important city for commerce, especially during the Edo period (seventeenth through nineteenth century).  Along the delightful tree-lined canals that run through the city there are still a number of beautiful white-walled historic storehouses, called kura. The typical kura construction is a structural timber frame clad in a fireproof outer shell of clay and often decorated with black tile. Most of the storehouses have been adapted for other uses, such as shops and residences. This type of storehouse can be found throughout Japan, but Kurashiki has a particularly large number in excellent condition – and in a wonderful setting.

Japan Guide: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5750.html
Photos on TravelPod: http://www.travelpod.co.uk/photos/4/Japan/Kurashiki.html
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurashiki,_Okayama