When I lived in Kurashiki, the Bikan Historical District was a place where my wife and I liked to indulge in quiet, reflective walks or meet friends for drinks and dinner. A few years ago, I traveled back to Kurashiki, Japan to visit a friend and I had the opportunity to revisit the Bikan. I only spent two days wandering it’s narrow streets, but I took copious notes and began writing about my experience. Since then, I have written and rewritten this piece several times. This is my latest revision.