Features and Location
Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki was the 11th facility in the Mitsui Outlet Park series and the first to open in the Chūgoku and Shikoku regions. When it opened, it attracted attention as one of the largest outlet shopping destinations in the area.
The mall was developed on the former site of Kurashiki Factory, once operated by Kurabo Industries. The location had previously been occupied by Kurashiki Tivoli Park, an urban theme park that closed on December 31, 2008. Redevelopment work began on January 27, 2011, and the outlet mall opened on December 1 of the same year.
A Shopping and Leisure Complex
Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki was developed as part of an integrated complex together with Ario Kurashiki, a large shopping and entertainment center operated by the Seven & i Holdings Group, and Kurashiki Mirai Park, a public park managed by Kurashiki City.
Ario Kurashiki opened ahead of the outlet mall on November 25, 2011, and has become an important commercial destination for the local community. Together, the three facilities offer visitors opportunities to shop, dine, relax, and enjoy time outdoors in one convenient location.
Kurashiki is also an important transportation hub connecting the Chūgoku region with Shikoku. The mall is accessible to visitors from a wide area, including Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture and Fukuyama in Hiroshima Prefecture, making it a popular destination for shoppers from beyond Okayama.
Stores and Shopping Experience
A Wide Variety of Outlet Shops
At the time of its opening, Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki featured 120 stores, including six making their first appearance in Japan and 112 opening for the first time in the Chūgoku region. This diverse selection gave shoppers a broad range of choices and helped establish the mall as a major shopping destination in western Japan.
FM Kurashiki’s Satellite Studio
The local community radio station FM Kurashiki established a satellite studio called “FM Kurashiki I Love Studio” inside the complex. It was the station’s second satellite studio and served as a hub for community interaction and local information. Live broadcasts were scheduled on Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays.
Kurashiki Mirai Park
Background and Name
Kurashiki Mirai Park is an urban park located in Kotobukichō, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, and managed by the city. Like the outlet mall and Ario Kurashiki, it was created through the redevelopment of the former Kurashiki Tivoli Park site, which had occupied land once used by the Kurashiki factory of Kurabo Industries.
The park’s name was chosen through a public naming competition held between September and November 2010. More than 700 suggestions were submitted. Kurashiki Mayor Kaori Itō explained that the name was selected because it reflected residents’ hopes for a place symbolizing a bright future for the city.
Park Layout and Size
Kurashiki Mirai Park covers approximately 21,000 square meters, or 2.1 hectares. Of this area, about 0.7 hectares consists of green pathways, while approximately 1.4 hectares is landscaped green space.
The project cost approximately ¥1.321 billion. A green corridor about 22 meters wide follows the Kurashiki irrigation canal, while the landscaped area includes open lawns where visitors can relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Disaster Preparedness Facilities
Kurashiki Mirai Park is designated as a temporary evacuation site for the city and includes facilities to support emergency response. Seven specially designed manholes can be converted into toilets during disasters, and two benches can be used as cooking stoves. These features allow the park to serve as an important local disaster-prevention and emergency support area when needed.
Enjoy Shopping and Relaxation in Kurashiki
With its convenient location beside JR Kurashiki Station, Mitsui Outlet Park Kurashiki offers an easy way to enjoy a shopping break while exploring the city. The adjoining Ario Kurashiki and Kurashiki Mirai Park add restaurants, everyday shopping, and open green spaces to the experience.
Whether you are looking for outlet shopping, a meal, or a place to unwind outdoors, this integrated complex provides a convenient stop for visitors to Kurashiki and travelers exploring the wider Chūgoku and Shikoku regions.