When we think of autumn, we think of various things like the autumn of arts, the autumn of sports, and the autumn of reading, but it is definitely the autumn of appetite.
“I want to eat something delicious.”
“If I'm going to eat, I wonder if there’s a place where I can eat at a good price.”
An event that fulfills such wishes, the “2022 Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally,” is being held until December 20, 2022.
- Special lunches created for the event
- Limited-time, carefully crafted lunches
- Some restaurants have a limited number of meals available, such as 10 or 20 per day
- You might even receive a gift for collecting stamps!?
Curious, I first looked into what kind of restaurants are participating.
What is the “2022 Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally”?
“Lunch Itadakimasu” was held until 2017.
Although the event had ended, due to the impact of the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau revived it in 2020 with the desire to “energize the stores in Kurashiki.”
Since 2020, it has been held as the “Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally,” and 2022 marks the third time.
The event period is from “October 1 (Saturday), 2022 to December 20 (Tuesday), 2022,” and this time, 48 stores from Kurashiki City are participating.
Please check the following flyer image or the official website for participating stores.
The price of the lunch is set at either 1,650 yen (tax included) or 2,200 yen (tax included).
Autumn is the season of colorful leaves, and the temperatures are comfortable, making it perfect for outings.
I participated in the event
The event pamphlet can be downloaded from the official website.
- Download the pamphlet
- Download the application postcard
However, pamphlets are also available at participating stores, so you can get one at the first store you visit.
After your meal, please ask the staff to stamp your card.
Don’t forget to bring the pamphlet with you for your second visit and beyond.
After getting two stamps and filling out the necessary information, you will receive a participation prize (masking tape).
The prizes for the lottery are as follows:
- 4 or more stamps: A set of local specialty products for 4 people
- 2 or more stamps: Meal vouchers usable at participating stores for 60 people
At the restaurants, many people were ordering seasonal dishes made with local ingredients created for the “Autumn Lunch Itadakimasu.”
Opportunities to go out for lunch have decreased during the pandemic, but it’s easy to invite friends and family by saying, “There’s an event like this. Want to go?”
I immediately went to two restaurants with a close friend using that invitation.
Premier
The first place I visited was “Premier,” a popular French restaurant located in the Bikan Historical Area.
There is a parking lot that can accommodate 4 cars in front of the restaurant.
It fills up quickly, so it’s best to check if there’s availability.
Lunch at “Premier” is limited to 20 meals per day, so reservations are required by the day before.
Upon entering the restaurant, the stylish counter catches your eye.
In the back kitchen, the chef is showcasing his skills.
There are acrylic panels in place, ensuring thorough COVID-19 measures at the seating.
First, choose between bread or rice, and order a drink.
After a short while, the salad, hors d'oeuvres, and soup arrived.
On a large plate, a variety of colorful vegetables and seasonal ingredients were beautifully arranged, providing enjoyment not only in taste but also in appearance.
The staff kindly explained each dish, which was very nice.
Each dish was elaborate, allowing me to enjoy flavors and textures I had never experienced before.
The main dish was brought to me by the chef himself.
Fricassée is a dish where meat is sautéed and then simmered.
It was delicious with a cream sauce that matched well with vegetables like burdock and okra.
The lunch at “Premier” costs “2,200 yen (tax included).”
It’s surprising to be able to enjoy a course meal at this price.
Uo Shogun
As November arrived, I started craving Japanese food.
There are so many Japanese restaurants that it’s hard to choose.
“Since we’re at it, let’s go to a place we haven’t been to,” I discussed with my friend, and we headed to “Uo Shogun” in Kojima.
The lunch at “Uo Shogun” is also limited to 20 meals per day, so reservations are required by the day before.
There is a gravel parking area in the back where several cars can park.
The first floor of the restaurant is a fish shop.
In the tank, small fish like octopus and shrimp are kept in baskets, while larger fish swim freely below.
The dining area is on the second floor.
As I climbed the stairs that resembled an emergency exit, I was greeted by a staff member with a wonderful smile.
Inside the restaurant, there is a counter and private rooms that can seat 4 to 6 people, making it a great place to relax.
The room we were shown had a fantastic view of the sea from the window.
The dishes were soon brought out.
A variety of seafood dishes were laid out.
“You can eat the octopus raw, or try it 'shabu-shabu' style for a medium-rare option, or cooked. Please enjoy it in these three ways,”
the owner told us.
They are preparing live octopus on the first floor.
It was fresh and plump. The ponzu sauce was perfect for the octopus.
In addition, there were spicy miso mixed with shrimp, sweet simmered saury, sashimi, tempura, and clam soup.
We enjoyed local seasonal fish dishes.
Conclusion
I often found myself wondering with friends and family, “Where should we go for lunch? What do we want to eat?”
With a pamphlet listing the restaurants like this one, it makes it easier to compare and choose.
Additionally, being able to casually visit places I wouldn’t normally go is one of the attractions.
And, if you collect two or more stamps from this event, you will receive a participation prize (masking tape).
The application postcard is attached to the back of the “Let’s Have Lunch” pamphlet.
Simply affix a stamp and drop it in the mail, or submit it in the application box at any tourist information center in Kurashiki City to complete your application.
Please take this opportunity to enjoy delicious food and get a gift to feel like you’ve gotten a great deal.
2022 Autumn Lunch Let's Have Lunch Stamp Rally Data
| Name | 2022 Autumn Lunch Let's Have Lunch Stamp Rally |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 1, 2022 (Saturday) to December 20, 2022 (Tuesday) |
| Location | Restaurants in Kurashiki, Mizushima, Kojima, and Tamashima |
| Participation Fee (tax included) | The special menu for Let's Have Lunch is one of the following prices: ・1,650 yen (tax included) ・2,200 yen (tax included) |
| Website | 2022 Autumn Lunch Let's Have Lunch Stamp Rally |
