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

Bizen no Kuni Soja-guびぜんのくに そうじゃぐう leads to the Soja shopping district, a miyasujiみやすじ where you can feel the history of Soja City.

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 to enliven the Soja shopping district centered around Soja Shrine (hereafter referred to as "Soja Shrine").

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

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 that awareness of the event is increasing year by year.

Please check the following image for 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 motivation to start Miyasuji Monogatari came from the desire to create a festival centered around Soja Shrine once again.

The Soja City citizen festival originally started at Soja Shrine. Afterward, 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 Shrine 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 dances and performances, which is how Miyasuji Monogatari began.

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 Shrine, 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 teams from within Soja City.

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

The general dance allows audience participation, and last year about 150 people danced together inside Soja Shrine, creating a very memorable moment when the entire venue became one.

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 you can enjoy kids' nail art, yukata dressing, and photography. There will also be corners where you can enjoy traditional games reminiscent of festival days.

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), there will be a classic car parade running 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, I recommend the area around the Machikado Folk Museum or the Cultural Center.

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 has been worthwhile to continue.

Additionally, receiving comments like "Thank you for creating a space for us to present" and "I had a great time" also encourages us.

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 new connections will emerge from the festival, leading to performances on a big stage, or reunions with people we haven't seen in a long time. There are opportunities to meet people we usually can't see, thanks to the festival.

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

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.

As we continue, new challenges arise, but we address them one by one, connecting them 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 everyone, young and old, can enjoy. 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 lined 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 Shrine and the shopping district.

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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