[Ended] Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally (held October 1–December 20, 2021) ～ A food event where you visit restaurants and enjoy their signature lunches

Interview with Miko Ikeda

The much-loved Lunch Itadakimasu event has returned after a long hiatus.

We asked Miko Ikeda of the organizing Kurashiki Tourism and Convention Bureau why the event was brought back and about the secrets behind its eye-catching pamphlet.

Background to the event

Lunch Itadakimasu was an event that had ended. Why was it held again?

Ikeda (honorific omitted)

Lunch Itadakimasu was held through 2017.

The event had ended, but in response to the spread of COVID-19, it was held again last year, in 2020, with the hope of bringing Kurashiki's businesses back to life.

It was already an event loved by local people and suited the circumstances of the pandemic. We also checked with the shops before holding it and received requests, so we got started.

Last year (2020), we held the “Cool Kurashiki Sweets Stamp Rally” in summer, “Lunch Itadakimasu” in autumn, and the “Winter Comfort Sweets Stamp Rally” in winter.

We were able to hold events continuously, which I think helped revitalize the community.

What was the response to the event held last year, in 2020?

Ikeda

We had more participants than expected last year, and the response was so great that we ran out of participation prizes for the stamp rally.

We decided to hold it again this year (2021) to support local businesses.

As last year, we received requests to hold it again not only from the shops but also from fans.

[Ended] Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally (held October 1–December 20, 2020) — A food event where you can enjoy carefully prepared lunches made with local ingredients

Autumn means the season of appetite. When the harvest brings an abundance of delicious food, our appetites grow. In autumn 2020, an event offering lunches made with ingredients from Okayama Prefecture…

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Why were there two price ranges?

Ikeda

Until 2017, all meals were offered at a flat price of 1,500 yen, but it was the shops that requested two price ranges starting last year.

Rather than forcing shops that normally charge more than 1,500 yen to lower their prices, supporting the shops is the priority right now.

There was no need to insist on a single price.

Customer surveys also included comments such as, “I’d rather have something luxurious, even if it costs more.”

We thought that if the shops could make something better, even at a higher price, that would be preferable.

With customers going out less often, perhaps they still want to eat out if they can enjoy a satisfying meal, even at a higher price.

The care put into the pamphlet

The pamphlet design is cute.

Ikeda

I incorporated my love of cats into the design.

There was a cat in last year's (2020) pamphlet too, but this year we changed the style.

This year's design has an even softer, cuter look.

I designed it hoping that people of all kinds, including younger people, would pick it up and come along.

We gave the cat a soft, fluffy look.

Why a cat? Is it because cats are popular?

Ikeda

It’s less about the times and more because I have a strong affection for cats.

I actually have three cats, and one of them is a calico.

Perhaps having a pet cat influenced me to unconsciously make the cat in the pamphlet a calico.

Thoughts on “Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu”

Please tell us your thoughts on Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu.

Ikeda

What saddened me most was seeing the town lose its vitality because of COVID-19.

Through this event, I hope people from the local area and nearby communities will come, and, once things settle down, people from other prefectures as well.

And I hope people will enjoy a meal along with the stamp rally.

I also hope the shops will thrive.

From the Writer

Lunch Itadakimasu was brought back to help businesses and the town thrive.

Every restaurant's menu looks tempting, so it's hard to decide where to go.

Doesn't it make you happy to think that eating out can help the shops and the town thrive?

Eating delicious food lifts your spirits too, so it's a win-win.

When you take part, visit the restaurants with the cute cat pamphlet in hand.

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