In October, the summer heat eases and the daytime becomes more comfortable.
The sky has taken on a distinctly autumnal look, too.
What comes to mind when you hear “autumn”?
There’s autumn for sports and autumn for reading, but as someone who loves food, “autumn for eating” is the first thing that comes to mind.
As of October 2021, the “Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally,” an event perfect for the season when food tastes its best, is being held.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in October 2021. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Lunch Itadakimasu
The Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally (hereafter, Lunch Itadakimasu) is a food event featuring 50 participating restaurants in Kurashiki City.
Lunches made with local ingredients from Okayama Prefecture are offered for ¥1,650 (tax included) or ¥2,200 (tax included).
The lunch options vary, including Western, Japanese, Chinese, and Japanese-Western fusion cuisine.
There are three main things to love about it.
- Discover restaurants you didn’t know about
- Try special menus created for Lunch Itadakimasu
- Dine at restaurants with ease
For those looking for a new place to eat, one of the best things is finding a new favorite restaurant of your own.
With 50 participating restaurants, you’re sure to discover somewhere new.
It’s also nice to be able to try a special menu at a restaurant you already visit regularly.
The third thing to love, “dining at restaurants with ease,” means that even restaurants that might otherwise seem intimidating become easier to visit.
Doesn’t it take courage to visit a restaurant when you don’t know the prices?
You might worry that it’s beyond your means and end up not going, even if you want to.
If that sounds like you, here’s your chance!
You can drop in without hesitation as part of the event.
Some restaurants even offer their meals at a lower, more affordable price than their regular lunch menu.
You won’t want to miss out on these three great benefits.
How to enjoy Lunch Itadakimasu
Choose a restaurant by comparing the pamphlet
With 50 participating restaurants, you may be wondering where to go.
The pamphlet is handy for comparing menus.
It labels the five categories—Japanese, Western, Chinese, Japanese-Western fusion, and other—so use those as a guide, too.
Pamphlets are available at tourist information centers in Kurashiki City, hotels, and participating Lunch Itadakimasu restaurants.
You can also download it from the official website.
Enjoy a meal
The best part of Lunch Itadakimasu is, of course, enjoying the food in person!
Every restaurant uses ingredients from Okayama Prefecture and serves thoughtfully crafted dishes.
Experience the delight that you can’t get just from looking at photos.
Let’s take a look at the Japanese restaurant “Takenoya Bettei,” for example.
Isn’t this a gorgeous Japanese lunch, with colorful, round temari sushi beautifully arranged on the plate?
The sushi toppings include seasonal seafood and vegetables.
They make seasonality a priority, so the toppings apparently change depending on the time of year.
You can relax and enjoy your meal in a private room overlooking the garden, spending a luxurious moment.
Next, we introduce “QINOCO -Kinoko-,” which is classified under “Other.”
The pamphlet said “Keema Curry Pancake Set,” so I mistakenly assumed it would come with keema curry and pancakes on the side.
But when the dish arrived…
It was a pancake with a whole new twist, with keema curry sandwiched inside like a patty.
Pancakes aren’t just for dessert, after all.
The fluffy, sweet pancake sandwiches spicy keema curry.
There’s also plenty of thick, salty bacon.
It’s homemade bacon made with Bisei pork, and the more you chew, the more its savory flavor fills your mouth.
The egg on top is soft-boiled, with a runny yolk.
Sweetness, spice, and saltiness mingle in your mouth to create a complex-tasting pancake.
I was amazed by QINOCO’s inventive menu.
Lunch comes with your choice of dessert and a drink.
There are three desserts to choose from: cheesecake, gateau chocolat, and pudding.
You can choose from eight drinks, including coffee, tea, and apple juice.
![[Closed] QINOCO — A small cafe packed with delicious delights. Its astonishingly impressive Triton Burger is a must-see!](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/23043252/hamburgerset3.jpg)
Take part in the stamp rally
Lunch Itadakimasu also features a stamp rally.
If you plan to visit several restaurants, it’s worth taking part.
Use the stamp rally card on the back of the pamphlet, or download and print one from “Download the entry postcard” on the official website.
With three or more stamps, everyone receives a participation prize: a roll of masking tape.
I’ll definitely have to visit three restaurants and get one!
In addition, 100 people will be selected by lottery to win meal vouchers that can be used at participating restaurants.
What a treat to have more chances to enjoy a delicious lunch if you’re lucky!
Collect four stamps and four people will be selected by lottery to win a Kurashiki specialty gift set.
| Prize type | Requirements | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Participation prize (everyone) | Three or more stamps | Masking tape |
| Prize B (100 winners selected by lottery) | Three or more stamps | Meal vouchers redeemable at participating restaurants |
| Prize C (4 winners selected by lottery) | Four stamps | Kurashiki specialty gift set |
The stamps must be from different restaurants.
Entries must be postmarked by Tuesday, December 28, 2021.
To enter, fill in the required information on the entry postcard and either place it in an entry box at an information center in Kurashiki City or affix a stamp and mail it.
To mark the start of Lunch Itadakimasu, we spoke with Miko Ikeda of the event organizer, the Kurashiki Tourism and Convention Bureau, about the event.
Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally Information
| Name | Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, October 1–Monday, December 20, 2021 |
| Location | Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally |
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