In Mizushima, rice paddies and fields are disappearing as the area is rapidly developed into residential neighborhoods and commercial facilities.
Meanwhile, although new shops are gradually opening in Mizushima’s shopping streets, they still see very little foot traffic.
The area sometimes comes alive during annual events, but the excitement ends when the event is over, and local residents seem to be struggling with this issue.
The market, held regularly since 2017, drew large crowds and seemed to be bringing Mizushima back to life, with its lively atmosphere suggesting that better days lay ahead. However, it ended in March 2023.
Some people stepped forward to start a new market, hoping it would bring Mizushima to life.
They are the professional volleyball team Kurashiki Ablaze and Mizushima Revitalization Team.
We’ll introduce this market, which is generating high hopes as an event for the Mizushima area.
The information presented was current when this article was published in December 2023. Please note that it may differ from the current information.
What is Ablaze Garden Mizushima?
A market was launched beneath the elevated tracks at Sakae Station on the Mizushima Rinkai Railway to help revitalize the Mizushima area, but it ended in March 2023.
Beloved by local residents, it drew more than 1,000 people at its busiest, with adults and children alike enjoying food and drink. It had become a place to relax in Mizushima.
Local residents were looking for a way to keep it going.
At that point, professional women’s volleyball team Kurashiki Ablaze stepped forward, hoping to bring life back to Mizushima.
About the organizers
The groups that stepped up to launch a new market for local residents to enjoy and bring life to Mizushima are Kurashiki Ablaze and the Mizushima Revitalization Team.
Kurashiki Ablaze
Kurashiki Ablaze was founded as a corporate team in 2019 and, in April 2022, became the first women’s professional volleyball team to be established in Mizushima, Kurashiki City.
The team is committed to community service and helps out at a variety of local events.
At the previous market, they worked as event staff and planned a sports experience area where children could have fun, placing great importance on interacting with local residents.
Mizushima Revitalization Team
Formed in 2013 to bring life to the Mizushima area, this is a group of adults who are serious about having fun.
Led by its captain, Ueda Mitsuhiko, the team has around 20 members.
They have organized a variety of events over the years.
Their experience gained from past events and their passionate desire to make the Mizushima area a better place brought them together, and they decided to run the market with Kurashiki Ablaze.
About the vendors
The vendors were carefully selected by members of the Mizushima Revitalization Team, who brought together local shops known for their delicious food.
From sweets to hearty meals, the lineup is sure to whet your appetite.
The vendors at this event were as follows.
- Shimaya Confectionery Sakaedo
- Bistro Gou
- Gotchan
- La.flure&dreammarket&Iroha
- Mamacaron
- Masuda Tofu Shop
- Menya Tokiya
- A la Maison
- tete
- Sucre
- Fukujinmaru
- Nash Curry American
- T’s CLOVER
- Taiwan Meshi
- Okabe Coffee
- Kurashiki Shokupan Kobo P-chan
- Flower and Gemstone Magic Therapy Experience
- Milk Crown
Heavy rain fell during the day of the market, and we were worried whether the event could go ahead.
But by the time the event began, the rain had stopped, and a fantastical sunset was beginning to appear.
The vendors seemed to be ready, so let’s go explore.
Introducing the shops
A stylish market called “Ablaze Garden Mizushima,” created through a partnership between women’s volleyball team Kurashiki Ablaze and the Mizushima Revitalization Team.
We can’t cover everything, but here are a few shops that caught the writer’s eye.
Masuda Tofu Shop
Masuda Tofu Shop is a popular vendor at markets in Mizushima.
The tofu factory is in Takaya, Okayama City. In addition to selling at events, the shop also runs the izakaya “Omamedokoro Masu” in Okayama City and a tofu restaurant at Okayama Garden in Osafune.
They make their tofu with great care given to the water, and toppings such as grated daikon radish and ume-shirasu seem to complement the tofu and bring out its flavor.
One of the attractions is that if you eat it there, you can enjoy freshly fried tofu.
Kurashiki Ablaze players also love “agedashi tofu” and “chewy tofu doughnuts,” and apparently eat them often.
Taiwan Meshi
Taiwan Meshi is known for offering authentic Taiwanese flavors.
The owner of Guesthouse Yujiin in the Bikan Historical Area learned the recipes from Taiwanese staff and made these Taiwanese dishes.
Since the writer had never tried Taiwanese food, they decided to sample lu rou fan (braised pork rice).
The pork, sweetly simmered with Taiwanese seasonings, goes so well with white rice that you could eat bowl after bowl.
The pickled mustard greens, boiled egg, and takuan pickles on top bring out the flavor of the pork nicely.
It was a rice bowl that made you want to eat it again.
A la Maison
“alamaison” is located in Nakazange, Kita Ward, Okayama City.
The fresh pasta is boiled to order, so you can enjoy it freshly made.
Watching up close as the freshly boiled homemade pasta is tossed with a large wheel of cheese called Grana Banado makes you wonder how it will taste and builds your anticipation.
I ordered the mentaiko and lemon cream sauce pasta.
The mentaiko has a stronger impact than its appearance suggests, making it a satisfying dish.
It was creamy, but the lemon gave it a refreshing taste, making for a satisfying fresh pasta dish.
Handmade Macarons: Mama Macaron
“Mama Macaron” got its start when the owner made macarons by hand for a school bazaar to treat her children.
They mainly sell at events such as markets and through their online shop.
Talking with the owner, Ms. Takizawa, you can sense her warm and gentle nature.
They also offer gifts in cute, jewel-box-like tins, perfect for presents.
I heard that vanilla and the seasonal fig flavors are popular, so I bought some right away.
The bite-sized macarons filled my mouth with a light burst of flavor, and eating them made me feel indescribably happy.
Rice Flour Baby Castella tete
This is “Rice Flour Baby Castella tete.”
These cute castella cakes are made with 100% Okayama-grown rice flour and no oil, making them gluten-free.
They are made on the spot, so you can enjoy them fresh from the oven.
They stay moist even after cooling, so they make a great souvenir.
You can buy them from their mobile sales stand at store fairs and events.
With wheat allergies becoming more common, it’s nice that children with allergies can enjoy them too.
Kurashiki Ablaze
Players from Kurashiki Ablaze were also selling homemade juice and light snacks.
Their homemade hot yuzu drink warms you up as the weather gets colder and lets you take a relaxing breath.
With merchandise on sale and a video introducing the team playing in preparation for the V.League season starting in November 2023, visitors stopped to watch.
Simple chairs and tables made from beer crates were set up here and there around the venue, and groups of friends and families could be seen relaxing and chatting together.
Mizushima Revitalization Team
The Mizushima Revitalization Team booth was selling craft beer.
Perhaps because it was a popular local beer you can only taste here, it kept selling well despite the cold.
Main Event
For this memorable first event, a “Light and Fire Performance Show” was held by fire artist Haruki from Toyama Prefecture, spatial lighting artist Nakazawa, and candle artist mamiCo, who creates one-of-a-kind lights from her base in Kurashiki City. They created a fantastical atmosphere.
The event also carried lights of remembrance and prayer for the Mabi area of Kurashiki City.
It was windy that day, and the staff struggled because the candle flames went out as soon as they lit them.
But once the show began, the candle flames stayed alight, creating a mystical beauty.
I felt lucky to be able to see a show like this in Mizushima.
After the show ended, “Ablaze Garden Mizushima” wrapped up at 8 p.m.
The event venue is close to Mizushima’s shopping street, so it may be a good time to head to a second gathering or explore the town.
From the Writer
Suzuki Hideo, manager of Kurashiki Ablaze, shared the following remarks:
“We wanted to find a way to continue the market that people in the Mizushima community had been looking forward to, and with the help of the Mizushima Revival Team members and local residents, ‘Ablaze Garden Mizushima’ became a reality.
I don’t think a professional team’s only role is to get results in matches, so we want to work with local residents to bring Mizushima to life.”
Ueda Mitsuhiko of the Mizushima Revival Team also shared the following remarks:
“Since this was the first event, we held an art event in remembrance and prayer, and I hope everyone enjoyed it.
If events like this can be held regularly in Mizushima, I hope as many people as possible will visit.
And I sincerely hope that the local community will thrive, and ultimately that all of Japan will thrive as well.”
Everyone shares the hope that Mizushima will come alive again, with lots of people gathering and the town bustling with activity.
But dreams and hopes will come true not just through wishing, but when people take action.
We hope the newly launched “Ablaze Garden Mizushima” will be held regularly, too.
Events featuring delicious food and a fun atmosphere are always welcome!
Let’s all work together to bring life to Mizushima, including the writer and everyone who lives in the area.
Ablaze Garden Mizushima Information
| Name | Ablaze Garden Mizushima |
|---|---|
| Held | Friday, October 20, 2023, 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. |
| Location | Under the elevated tracks at Sakae Station on the Mizushima Rinkai Railway, Kurashiki City |
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