Mizushima Factory Night View Guide - A tour of Japan's leading factory night view spots (Kurashiki City)

In November 2025, Kurashiki City hosted the "National Factory Night View Summit in Kurashiki," an event that brought together factory night views and local governments from all over Japan to promote the appeal of their respective factory night views. Kurashiki City promoted the " Mizushima Industrial Complex Factory Night View" from the " Washuzan Skyline ," which has been certified as a Japan Night View Heritage .

We will introduce you to some of the best factory night view spots in the country that you should definitely visit during the clear winter air.

• Table of Contents
• About Mizushima Industrial Complex
• 1. Washuzan Skyline (Mizushima Observatory)
• 2. Kojima Unotsu Coast
• 3. Sanoyas Dock
• 4. Itajiki Railroad Crossing
• 5. Tamashima Harbor Island
• Night View Taxi Introduction
• Conclusion

About Mizushima Industrial Complex

The Mizushima Industrial Complex(Mizushima Industrial Area) is one of Japan's leading industrial zones, with over 200 businesses located in an area of ​​approximately 2,500 hectares facing the Seto Inland Sea.

Its history dates back to the 1950s, a period known as the period of rapid economic growth.

With the aim of transforming the prefecture from an agricultural to an industrial one, we will develop a vast reclaimed land at the mouth of the Takahashi River River and a port (Mizushima Port) that can accommodate large ships, and attract many companies, mainly in the petrochemical industry.

Currently, the city continues to develop as one of Japan's leading heavy chemical complexes, with its core industries including oil refining (ENEOS Mizushima Refinery), steel production (JFE Steel West Japan Works (Kurashiki District)), and automobiles (Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima Plant).

Mizushima Industrial Area(Mizushima Industrial Complex) | Okayama Tourism Web

1. Washuzan Skyline (Mizushima Observatory)

First, we will introduce the night view of the factories seen from the Washuzan Skyline (Mizushima Observatory), which stretches from Mizushima to Kojima . Even among locals, this is the view that comes to mind when people think of factory night views, and it is a view that represents the Mizushima Industrial Complex.

It is rare nationwide to find a place where you can look down on the night view of factories from a relatively close hill, and it has been registered as a Japan Night View Heritage.

On the day of the interview, we visited just after sunset, so we were able to enjoy the magnificent combination of the sunset over Mizushima Nada and the night view of the factories.

[Washuzan Skyline(Mizushima Observatory)]

Location: Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture

Parking: Available

Mizushima Observatory | Okayama Tourism Web

2. Kojima Unotsu Coast

The Tsu area is located southeast of the Mizushima Industrial Complex . If you go past the huge ENEOS crude oil tanks, you will arrive at Kojima Unotsu Coast, which has a small boat dock.

Park your car in the parking space on your right and enjoy the night view of the factory. Please note that the mountain on your left is private property and off-limits.

This is one of my favorite spots, where the lights of the ENEOS refinery plant on the opposite bank are reflected on the water.

[Kojima Unotsu Coast]

Location: Okayama Prefecture , Kurashiki City, Kojima Prefecture

Parking: Available

3. Sanoyas Dock

Shionasu district is located in the southern part of the Mizushima Industrial Complex. This area, known for its difficult-to-read name within Kurashiki City, is where Shin Kurushima Sanoyas Shipbuilding has been operating since 1974. When we visited, a huge cargo ship was being constructed in the dock.

This spot is called "Sanoyas Dock" because it is located next to the shipyard dock. It is well known as a fishing spot, but it also offers a good view of the shipyard and the blast furnaces of JFE Steel's West Japan Works (Mizushima district) located across the river.

If you walk along the breakwater, you can see the factory closer.

[Sanoyas Dock]

Location: Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki City, Kojima

Parking: Available

4. Itajiki Railroad Crossing

Mizushima Rinkai Railway is closely tied to the daily lives of local residents as a form of transportation. The freight line that connects Mizushima to the rest of the country runs through the Mizushima Industrial Complex.

Itajiki Itajiki Railroad Crossing is located just before Higashi-Mizushima Station, a freight train terminal. This is a spot where you can see the night view of the factories over the tracks. The composition of the two curved rails illuminated by the night view of the factories is a view that can only be seen here.

There is no parking lot, so it is best to park your car on the wide shoulder of the road just to the right after crossing the railroad crossing.

Also nearby is the Itajiki Floodgate, which is designated as a cultural property that is part of the Japan Heritage Site.

[Itajiki Railroad Crossing ]

Location: Shiodori, Kurashiki City Okayama Prefecture Prefecture

Parking: None (parking space available on the side of the road)

What is a Itajiki Floodgate?

The Itajiki Floodgate is a remnant of the land reclamation work that took place in the area during the Edo period.

The area north of the current Itajiki Railroad Crossing was reclaimed as farmland, while the area south of it was created by land reclamation during the construction of the Mizushima Industrial Complex.

This is a historical heritage site that conveys the history of how a former rural area became an industrial area.

5. Tamashima Harbor Island

The last place we would like to introduce is Tamashima Harbor Island , an artificial island located in the Tamashima district across the Takahashi River .

Although it has a slightly different feel from the factory night view, you can see conveyor belts operating at the quay where bulk carriers dock.

Additionally, gantry cranes (commonly known as giraffes) can be seen lined up on the quay where container ships dock.

This is also lit by work lights, creating a unique sight.

[ Tamashima Harbor Island]

Location: Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki City, Tamashima Prefecture

Parking: None (parking space available on the side of the road)

Night View Taxi Introduction

Since all of the factory night view spots are difficult to access by public transportation, most people probably think, "Can I only enjoy the factory night view if I have my own car or a rental car?"

In response to such requests, Nomura Transportation, which operates a taxi business in the Mizushima area, has launched the "Night View Taxi."

There are routes that can only be taken by taxi companies with close ties to the local community, such as private roads with special permission, which will make the night view of the factories even more memorable.

In addition to Mizushima, they also depart from Kurashiki and Kojima, making it convenient for people coming from far away by JR. The ability to customize the route to suit your preferences is something only a taxi can offer.

*Reservation required by 5pm the day before

Nomura Transportation| Official website

Conclusion

After touring the night view of the Mizushima Industrial Complex, from major spots to more obscure spots, the author felt that it is a night view that can be viewed from many different angles.

In addition to the classic night view from Washuzan Skyline , the park is packed with a variety of night views of factories, including the lights of plants reflected on the water, a huge ship under construction seen up close, and the night view of factories seen across the train tracks.

Although it is one of the best industrial night views in the country, there are still some parts that are not fully recognized.

It is easily accessible from Kurashiki 's most famous tourist spots, such as the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and Mt. Washuzan , so why not visit it after sightseeing during the day?

Kurashiki City Tourism Division "Kurashiki, the City of Night Views"