As of February 2024, several food-related events are being held in Kurashiki in winter, including the “Lunch Itadakimasu Stamp Rally” and “Kurashiki Afternoon Tea.”
I also thought, “Since it’s winter, I’d like to eat something seasonal,” and was wondering which event to join when I discovered an event called “Bitchu An-Tabi 2,” where you can visit anko sweets.
There’s also a cycling event that combines bicycles and anko, not just visits to anko sweet shops, which made me even more interested.
Bitchu An-Tabi is being held for the second time in 2024. I went to find out more about the event.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in February 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What Is Bitchu An-Tabi 2?
Bitchu An-Tabi 2 is a stamp rally held from Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, March 24, 2024.
It was also held last year (fiscal 2023), and was apparently a very popular event.
As in the previous year, it is organized by the Kurashiki City Tourism Division, with the Japan Anko Association providing supervisory support.
The Bitchu area (western Okayama Prefecture), where Kurashiki is located, is famous as a major azuki bean-producing region, alongside Hokkaido and Tanba. This event invites participants to visit shops selling anko sweets made with Bitchu azuki beans and collect stamps.
Get a stamp at a participating shop when you make a purchase, then enter a draw for fabulous prizes based on the number of points you collect.
There are 30 participating shops this time.
Enjoy a wide variety of anko sweets, from classic Japanese confections such as oshiruko, yokan, and daifuku to Western-style treats such as cakes, bread, and crepes.
Some shops have developed new products especially for An-Tabi, so keep an eye out for them.
Check this pamphlet for a list of participating shops.
This time, the theme is “This year, it’s all about cycling. Let’s get moving to earn what we eat!” A new, rewarding rule has been added: you get two points when you cycle to make a purchase.
It’s good for your health to visit shops selling anko sweets while getting some exercise.
How to participate
The stamp rally card is included in the pamphlet, which is available at participating shops.
Here’s how to participate:
- Make a purchase at a participating shop listed in the pamphlet (any item is fine)
- Get a stamp on the stamp rally card included in the pamphlet
- Visit various shops and collect stamps
- Once you’ve collected enough stamps, attach the stamp rally card to a postcard and mail it in
You’ll get two points if you cycle to make a purchase, and one point if you go by any other means, such as on foot or by car.
If you arrive by bicycle, please tell the shop staff.
Please do not falsely claim that you arrived by bicycle!
The entry deadline is Monday, March 25, 2024 (postmarked by that date).
Fabulous Prizes to Be Won in a Draw
The prizes available in the draw vary according to the number of points you earn.
- Earn 3 points: Japanese black tea that pairs well with anko — 30 winners
- Earn 10 points: Cozy tea-time set — 20 winners
- Earn 20 points: Bizen ware and a lovely tea-time set — 10 winners
- Earn 30 points: Anko and wine pairing set — 3 winners
- Top points prize: Garmin smartwatch — awarded to the top 3 participants
- Collect stamps from all 30 shops to receive a “Bitchu An-Bassador Certificate” from the Japan Anko Association (new version for fiscal 2024)
In addition, the first 200 customers to shop at each store will receive an Original Anko Omamori Card (30 designs in total), even without entering the draw.
The Japan Anko Association oversaw the design. The back features “travel tips” related to anko, and the text and color vary by shop.
The colors are traditional Japanese hues inspired by the nature and local specialties of the Bitchu area.
They’re lovely designs that make you want to visit lots of shops and collect them.
You can get an Original Anko Omamori Card by purchasing an item listed in the pamphlet.
・One per person at each shop
・Available while supplies last
“An-Tabi 1DAY Cycle Rally in Mabi,” an Event Exclusive to Mabi, Is Being Held
Bitchu An-Tabi 2 also includes a cycling event.
“An-Tabi 1DAY Cycle Rally in Mabi,” held on Sunday, March 3, 2024, is a special event where you can enjoy cycling and anko sweets in Mabi.
Starting and finishing at Kurashiki Makibi Support School, participants can earn a finisher’s prize by collecting stamps at four checkpoints in the Mabi area.
The participation fee is 1,500 yen, including insurance. There are apparently other great perks in addition to the finisher’s prize.
For details and how to register, visit Kurashiki Tourism WEB.
The registration deadline is Sunday, February 18.
The registration method has changed from filling out a form to sending an email. Please check the Kurashiki Tourism WEB site when registering.
When you hear “cycling event,” you might picture a group of people who love exercise, but this event is designed for anyone to enjoy at their own pace.
Interview with the Bitchu An-Tabi 2 Organizer
We spoke with the person in charge at the Kurashiki City Office Tourism Division, the organizer of “Bitchu An-Tabi 2.”
Could you tell us about the response to the previous event?
Representative
The previous Bitchu An-Tabi received around 340 entries, and an impressive 114 participants completed the challenge by visiting every shop.
Honestly, the number of participants far exceeded our expectations. We were amazed by everyone’s enthusiasm for anko.
Many people also wrote comments and messages in the blank spaces on their entry forms. We were delighted to receive so many messages, such as “It was fun visiting shops I’d never been to before” and “I hope you do this again.”
Some shops don’t have official websites, so we often received comments like, “I first heard about them thanks to An-Tabi.”
Some people even stayed overnight and visited the An-Tabi shops. As the Tourism Division, we couldn’t be happier.
What kinds of people took part?
Representative
I think the age range was quite broad.
Many families took part, so there were children, as well as older participants in their 70s and 80s.
The fact that people of all ages and genders enjoy it really shows how popular anko is.
Why did you decide to combine bicycles and anko this time?
Representative
Last year (fiscal 2022), the stamp rally focused solely on anko sweets, so this time we wanted to combine it with another activity.
While planning the event, I learned that anko has recently been attracting attention as a source of nutrition during sports. I was surprised to hear that bodybuilders eat it and that anko is even sold in pouches for sports nutrition.
Also, Mabi Fureai Park and a cycling road are currently being developed in Mabi. We thought it would be interesting to hold an event combining anko and cycling, so we chose bicycles as the theme.
Getting active to match what you eat is good for your health, too.
Also, quite a few people cycled around during the previous An-Tabi, so I think this event better matches what people want.
There’s a little twist with the stamps, too: if you visit once by bicycle and once by another means, the two stamps combine to form a single design.
If you find a shop you like, be sure to visit again.
Please tell us about the “Antabi 1DAY Cycle Rally in Mabi,” taking place on Sunday, March 3.
Representative
The “Antabi 1DAY Cycle Rally in Mabi” is a cycling event where you can tour Mabi while picking up anko sweets.
Visit the participating Antabi shops and collect stamps at four checkpoints in the Mabi area to receive a finisher’s prize.
The finisher’s prize is a surprise, but there are also many great perks, including a special-design original sacoche for participants, featuring the Antabi 2 design, and the chance to pick up anko sweets at aid stations.
There are no strict rules or time limits, so we’d be delighted if you joined us casually with your family or friends.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Since this event is all about cycling, we hope you’ll fuel up with anko and explore Antabi by bicycle.
As last time, we hope people of all ages will join us and have a great time.
From the Writer
When you think of anko, traditional Japanese sweets may come to mind, but I was surprised by how many of the anko sweets at Bitchu Antabi 2 were Western-style treats combining anko with bread or cake.
Every shop offers distinctive anko sweets, so you may find yourself wondering where to go.
You can earn stamps for a better deal by cycling to make your purchases, so I thought it might be fun to ride around while looking for signs of spring.
Whether you love anko or want to get some exercise, why not head out to Bitchu Antabi 2 and look for your favorite anko sweets?
Bitchu Antabi 2 Information
| Name | Bitchu Antabi 2 |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday, January 20 to Sunday, March 24, 2024. Application deadline: Monday, March 25 (postmark valid on the day) |
| Website | Kurashiki Tourism WEB: Bitchu Antabi 2 & Cycling Event |
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