[Held on 9/26 (Sat) and 27 (Sun)] Miyasu Story ~ Chapter Nine ~ Let's Enjoy the Autumn Festival Set in Soja Shrine and the Shopping District

Bitchu no Kuni Soja-guびっちゅうのくに そうじゃぐう leads to the Soja shopping district, a street where the history of Soja City can be felt.

An event called Miyasuji Monogatari - Chapter Nine will be held on September 26 (Saturday) and 27 (Sunday), 2026, to restore the vibrancy of the former Soja shopping district.

We interviewed about this year's (2026) content and highlights, which marks the 9th edition of the event.

What is Miyasuji Monogatari?

Miyasuji Monogatari started in 2016 with the desire to hold a festival centered around Soja-gu, Bitchu no Kuni (hereafter referred to as "Soja-gu"), to enliven the Soja shopping district.

In addition to restaurants, there are shops selling accessories and clothing, and there are also corners where visitors can experience traditional games in an atmosphere reminiscent of nostalgic festivals.

Dance performances, band performances, and calligraphy performances will also be held on the main stage, at the Cultural Center, and at the Machikado Folk Museum.

During the 2025 event, approximately 25,000 people attended, with many visitors coming from outside Soja City, indicating a growing recognition of the event each year.

Please check the following images for more details.

Interview with three members of the Miyasuji Monogatari Executive Committee

We spoke with Matsumoto Akira, the chairperson of the Miyasuji Monogatari Executive Committee, Akiyama Katsuhiro, the head of the General Affairs Department, and Suzuki Kensaku, the deputy head of the General Affairs Department, about Miyasuji Monogatari.

The origin of Miyasuji Monogatari

What prompted you to start Miyasuji Monogatari?

Matsumoto (no honorifics)

The reason for starting Miyasuji Monogatari was the desire to create a festival centered around Soja-gu once again.

The citizens' festival in Soja City originally began at Soja-gu. After that, the venue moved to the roads around Soja City Hall, and now it has shifted to the Takahashi River riverbed grounds, distancing itself from Soja-gu and the shopping district.

In this context, I began to feel the desire to restore the vibrancy of the former Soja shopping district and enliven it. Along with that desire, I wanted to create a space for local children to present their dance and performances, which is the beginning of Miyasuji Monogatari.

This year marks the 9th edition of the event; is there a theme for this time?

Akiyama (no honorifics)

Since the next event will be the memorable 10th edition, I consider this year to be a stepping stone towards that milestone.

This time, we are also planning new stage performances.

Highlights of Miyasuji Monogatari - Chapter Nine

What are the highlights of the stage performances?

Akiyama

On the main stage at Soja-gu, there will be performances by a marching band of preschool children, the Soja High School and Soja Minami High School brass bands, calligraphy performances, and dance performances by local dance teams.

There will also be a general dance and performances by the Bitchu Onra Taiko.

The general dance allows audience participation, and last year about 150 people danced together at Soja-gu, creating a very impressive moment of unity in the venue.

How many stores will participate this year?

Matsumoto

This year, we expect 54 stores to participate, which is an increase from last year.

Akiyama

While restaurants are the main focus, there will also be shops selling accessories and clothing, as well as workshops where kids can enjoy nail art, kimono dressing, and photography. There will also be corners where visitors can enjoy traditional games reminiscent of festivals.

Are there any stores participating for the first time this year?

Akiyama

This year, there will be stores coming from other prefectures.

Recently, we have been able to make Miyasuji Monogatari known to people from other prefectures, and I feel happy that it is gaining attention.

Please tell us about the classic car parade and exhibition.

Akiyama

On the morning of the 27th (Sunday) at 9:00 AM, there will be a classic car parade through the shopping district. The sight of classic cars lined up and driving is popular not only with adults but also with children.

You can enjoy it from anywhere in the shopping district, but if you want to take photos, the area around the Machikado Folk Museum and the Cultural Center is recommended.

Reasons for continuing Miyasuji Monogatari

Please tell us about your motivation for continuing Miyasuji Monogatari and the reasons it has been sustained.

Matsumoto

The biggest motivation is seeing the happy faces of the children. When I see the children performing and the attendees enjoying themselves, I feel that it was worth continuing.

Additionally, I receive comments like "Thank you for creating a space for us to present" and "I had a great time," which also serve as encouragement.

Suzuki (no honorifics)

With each passing year, the scale of the general dance has also grown, which is wonderful.

What changes would you like to see in the community and participants?

Akiyama

I would be happy if Miyasuji Monogatari could be a catalyst for connections between people.

I hope that the festival can lead to new connections, opportunities for performances on a big stage, and reunions with people we haven't seen in a long time. There are times when we can meet people we usually can't see, simply because it's a festival.

I hope that Miyasuji Monogatari can be a place where such encounters and reunions can happen.

What do you like about Miyasuji Monogatari?

Akiyama

Miyasuji Monogatari itself is like a child. It is growing little by little with each event, and we strive to make it better than the last time, improving with each iteration.

As we continue, new challenges arise, but we address them one by one, leading to the next event.

This is the 9th edition, and the next will be the 10th. We are also looking forward to how it will grow from here.

Finally, please give a message to the readers.

Akiyama

Miyasuji Monogatari is an event that people of all ages can enjoy, from children to adults. The shopping district stretches long from west to east, so I hope you will enjoy walking from one end to the other.

There will be various events on the main stage, and many vendors will be set up in the shopping district, including restaurants and shops. There will also be tea ceremonies and street performances, so I hope you can take a break and enjoy the atmosphere of Soja-gu and the shopping district.

There are many highlights, so please enjoy Miyasuji Monogatari while walking around the venue.

From the Writer

Miyasuji Monogatari is not just an event to enjoy a festival; it has gradually grown into a place for children's presentations and for creating encounters and reunions between people.

In 2026, we will celebrate the 9th edition, and the next will be the 10th. With each iteration, Miyasuji Monogatari has grown into a better event, created together with the local community.

With stage performances, gourmet food, shopping, traditional games, and a classic car parade, there are plenty of highlights for both children and adults to enjoy.

As you walk through Soja-gu and the shopping district, why not also enjoy the atmosphere of the venue and the connections with people?

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