There are many shops I want to visit, but I often find myself thinking, "This seems a bit too high a hurdle," "What does the taste feel like?" and "What is the atmosphere like?" and as a result, I hesitate to step into new places.
An event that gently pushes such feelings aside, "Harenomi-no Kurashiki," was held for the first time in six years. It is a day where you can casually tour shops and enjoy dishes and drinks at a slightly discounted price. It is a very enjoyable event where smiles are born all over the town.
This year, I participated for the first time.
I will introduce this revived event along with the local atmosphere.
What is Harenomi-no Kurashiki?
"Harenomi-no Kurashiki" is a dining event where you can freely tour participating shops in the city center around JR Kurashiki Station and enjoy a gourmet experience.
It started in 2012 and was held annually until 2019, but it was on hold for a while due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And in 2025.
With the desire to revitalize local dining establishments once again, a volunteer executive committee has been re-established. The milestone 10th event has 74 participating shops that are helping to enliven the event.
![[Held on 11/16 (Sun)] Harenomi-no Kurashiki - Revived after 6 years! A special day to eat, drink, and celebrate the entire town of Kurashiki](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/24223334/2-1-485x400.jpg)
How to Participate in Harenomi-no Kurashiki
Harenomi-no Kurashiki is an event that anyone can easily participate in by purchasing a ticket. One ticket can be exchanged for "1 drink & 1 food" at each participating shop.
The ticket booklet (set of 5) can be shared among multiple people and can also be used for multiple tickets at one shop.
You can share with friends or take your time exploring alone. The charm of this event is that you can enjoy it in your own way.
On the day of the event, at the main booth set up in the parking lot next to Dan Y Dwa, you can pick up your reserved advance tickets and purchase tickets on the day.
The staff will guide you with smiles, so you can feel at ease even if it's your first time.
It is also recommended to stop by and casually ask about the shop's sold-out status and the event's atmosphere.
The 10th Harenomi-no Kurashiki Event
For me, this was my first Harenomi-no Kurashiki.
I had eagerly awaited this day, having purchased advance tickets early with a friend with whom I had been saying, "Let's go together when it revives."
And then the day of the event arrived.
The sky was a brilliant blue, as if to celebrate the occasion. I will introduce the day of gourmet hopping that I enjoyed while touring Kurashiki from noon until evening.
First Stop: Bistro Petit Lapin
At 11 AM, I met with two friends at our first destination, "Bistro Petit Lapin." To our delight, we were the first ones there.
The shop is located at the very back of the basement of the West Building in front of JR Kurashiki Station, in a hidden spot.
The shop was scheduled to open at 11:30 AM, but people started gathering early, and soon there was a line of about 30 people.
When we were guided into the shop, which opened about 10 minutes early, there were 9 counter seats and one table seat.
Once seated, the dishes were already decided, so we only ordered drinks. I chose orange juice, while my two friends opted for wine.
What arrived was a beautifully plated dish, resembling a course meal.
The combination of parsley sauce and salmon marinade was excellent, and the mustard added an accent to the chicken pâté. I spent a blissful time enjoying it with a knife and fork.
Petit Lapin used to operate in a different location, and the customer sitting next to us remarked to the staff, "It's nostalgic, and it's still delicious!"
Just hearing such exchanges makes you feel that it is a shop that has been loved for a long time.
It was a heartwarming and satisfying start from the very first stop.
Second Stop: ONODA BAR
We moved from the basement to the ground level, looking at the pamphlet and discussing, "Where should we go next?"
There was a shop that opened at noon, so we decided to stop by.
The shop is called "ONODA BAR." Although a line had already formed, we were fortunate to get in during the first round. The owner manages the 9 counter seats by himself.
The shop welcomed us with smiles, and a gentle atmosphere flowed, making it feel very comfortable.
The menu features a variety of attractive items, from snacks to substantial dishes.
The author ordered a two-dish plate and Setoda mikan juice.
This juice is a luxurious drink made with more than one whole mikan, freshly squeezed on the spot.
Taking a sip, the refreshing carbonation, the bits of fruit, and the natural sweetness of the mikan blend together, creating a taste as if you are drinking the fruit itself.
The dish I ordered was made with seasonal ingredients and was delicious enough to make me smile. Each dish was carefully prepared, and the chef's love for cooking was clearly conveyed.
After settling down a bit, I tried talking to the chef,
"I personally select the fruits and source them from local areas, including Setoda,"
he told me.
There will also be cocktails made with seasonal fruits, and I left the shop while discussing with my friend, "When will we come next?"
Including the chef's personality, it was a warm shop that made me want to come back again.
Third Stop: Kushikatsu Okoshi
Next, we headed to our main destination, Kushikatsu Okoshi.
Since it is very close to "ONODA BAR," we were saying, "It's easy to move and just right," but there was already a long line forming before the opening.
While waiting in line, the chatter never ceased. "Where should we go next?" "What do we want to eat?" It was a strategy meeting.
This waiting time is also one of the enjoyments of Harenomino Kurashiki.
Before I knew it, 30 minutes had passed, and we were able to enter.
In the counter-only shop, once seated, we first ordered drinks. The kushikatsu came in a set of four types.
There were skewers with minced meat sandwiched between lotus root, salmon wrapped in shiso, pork with shimeji mushrooms, and tofu with minced meat, all served hot and freshly made.
I was a bit surprised by the combinations I had never tasted before, savoring each bite carefully.
The drink I ordered was "Fresh Fruit Chuhai." It was a visually enjoyable drink with fruit inside.
Non-alcoholic options are also available, making it a friendly lineup for those who cannot drink alcohol. "Please mix it well before drinking," the staff kindly reminded us.
It was a joyful time to finally visit the shop I had longed for, and the desire to come back arose naturally.
A Little Break: Strolling through the Bikan Historical Area and Achi Shrine
Having satisfied our hunger, we decided to take a walk for some exercise.
As we strolled through the shopping street, we spotted the torii gate of Achi Shrine. Since we were there, we decided to pay a visit.
The grounds of Achi Shrine were not too crowded, allowing us to quietly feel the sounds of birds and the gentle breeze.
We spent our time as we pleased, making wishes and receiving goshuin (temple seals).
On the way back, we passed through the Bikan Historical Area to our next destination. The autumn air was pleasant, and the autumn leaves were just at their peak.
Visiting places that I rarely have the opportunity to stop by while living locally, I enjoyed a brief tourist feeling while walking through the town.
Fourth Stop: Haiza Bar (Inside Royal Art Hotel)
The fourth stop was "Haiza Bar" inside the Royal Art Hotel.
As I was overwhelmed by the hotel's exterior, I headed towards the underground entrance.
Inside the store, there seemed to be both hotel guests and tourists. The staff asked, "Is it okay to share a table?" and we were shown to a booth.
"Looks delicious," "Where have you been?"
Conversations with the customers who arrived earlier flowed naturally. Such scenes may be unique to Harenomino Kurashiki.
The menu offers choices of "Braised Wagyu Beef in Red Wine" and "Rich Matcha Terrine."
We shared among the three of us.
The melting beef, smooth mashed potatoes, and rich matcha terrine paired perfectly with the fruits, both in appearance and taste.
As we were about to leave, a family entered the store just in time to take our place. Upon exiting the store, we found a long line forming in the hotel lobby.
It was a moment when I felt that Harenomino Kurashiki is enjoyed by people of various ages.
5th Stop: Dan Y Dwa
Finally, we headed to Dan Y Dwa.
The store was bustling with many people, so we waited outside.
After a short wait, we were able to enter and were shown to a table. The menu was filled with delicious-sounding dishes, and we debated which to order.
The drink selection was also abundant.
We ordered different dishes and shared.
"These pair well with wine," "I want to try all the varieties." Conversations flowed as we enjoyed the unfamiliar menu, making it a fitting final stop.
Having used up all our tickets, there were still many places we wanted to visit, but it was getting dark, so we decided to wrap up here.
Harenomino Kurashiki continues into the night.
From 11 AM to evening, it was a day filled with delicious food from Kurashiki and the warmth of its people.
No Worries if You Have Extra Tickets: "Ato Nomino"
The event is for one day only, but there's no need to worry about leftover tickets.
During the period, they can be used as 900 yen vouchers at participating stores under the name "Ato Nomino."
No change will be given, but multiple tickets can be used at one store.
We used all of ours, but I felt very grateful that there is a system in place to enjoy them slowly on another day if any tickets are left over.
Participating in Harenomino Kurashiki
The time spent with friends, of course, as well as the conversations with people I met for the first time and by chance, made for a memorable day.
"Which stores did you visit?" "Which do you recommend?"
Such casual conversations happening naturally is, I believe, one of the charms of Harenomino Kurashiki.
I felt that Harenomino Kurashiki was born from the careful preparations of the executive committee and the feelings of the local people who love Kurashiki.
I can't help but feel a little excited just imagining what kind of stores I will encounter next year and what kind of scenery awaits.
May there be more delicious encounters in the city of Kurashiki.
Data for the 10th Harenomino Kurashiki
| Name | 10th Harenomino Kurashiki |
|---|---|
| Date | November 16, 2025 (Sunday) *Business hours vary by store |
| Location | Around JR Kurashiki Station |
| Participation Fee (tax included) | Advance ticket: 4,500 yen (5 tickets / 900 yen each) Same-day ticket: 1,000 yen (single ticket) |
| Website | 10th Harenomino Kurashiki 2025 |
・Advance Purchase: 4,500 yen (5 tickets in a set / 900 yen per ticket)
・On the Day: 1,000 yen (single ticket sale)