Starting in 2012, the event "Harenomi-no Kurashiki" (commonly known as "Hare Kura") has been beloved by locals, and it will make a long-awaited comeback in November 2025.
After a six-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the members of the executive committee have risen again with a passionate desire for people to "experience the joy of dining out once more."
We will introduce in detail the thoughts behind the restart and the content of the event.
What is Harenomi-no Kurashiki?
Harenomi-no Kurashiki is a dining event set in the central urban area around JR Kurashiki Station, where participants can freely enjoy visiting various participating shops.
This event started in 2012 and has been held annually until 2019, marking its 10th anniversary this time.
Driven by the desire to boost the local dining scene in Kurashiki, a group of volunteers from the Harenomi-no Kurashiki Executive Committee has been planning and managing the event. Since its first edition, it has been cherished by many, establishing itself as a day to fully enjoy the city of Kurashiki.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it became difficult to gather people and enjoy food starting in 2020, leading to a temporary pause of the event.
After six years since the last event in 2019,
overcoming the pandemic, the Harenomi-no Kurashiki will restart on November 16, 2025 (Sunday).
It promises to be a special day where both restaurants and participants can once again feel the joy of food.
How to Enjoy? Participation Methods for Harenomi-no Kurashiki
Harenomi-no Kurashiki is a dining event that anyone can easily participate in by obtaining a ticket.
Those who love alcohol are of course welcome, but non-drinkers and families with children are also very welcome. You can enjoy the signature food and drinks from each shop while walking around the city of Kurashiki.
Whether alone or with friends, the charm of Harenomi-no lies in being able to enjoy it at your own pace. Conversations with shop staff and the little encounters that happen on the spot are also part of the fun.
Now, let’s introduce the flow of the event day so that first-timers can participate with confidence.
1. Get Your Tickets
Tickets are as follows:
- Advance Ticket
4,500 yen (5 tickets in a booklet / 900 yen per ticket) - Same-Day Ticket
1,000 yen (sold individually)
Advance tickets are a great deal at 900 yen each. You can purchase them with peace of mind, as there is no worry about them selling out.
Additionally, if you make a reservation, you can purchase at the advance price even on the day of the event.
2. Start Your Food Walk After Exchanging Your Tickets
With one ticket, you can exchange it for "1 drink & 1 food" at each shop.
Choose your favorite shops and start your food crawl around the city.
You can use multiple tickets at one shop without any issues. The booklet of tickets (5 tickets) can also be shared among multiple people.
Some people use one set alone, while others share two sets among three people and buy additional individual tickets as needed on the day.
Check the official website and social media for maps of each shop and their operating hours.
- Harenomi-no Kurashiki | Kurashiki City Food and Drink Walking Event
- Harenomi-no Kurashiki Official Instagram
3. Pick Your Desired Shops in Advance
In 2025, there will be as many as 74 participating shops.
The official Instagram and website introduce the menu items and atmosphere of the participating shops.
The distance from one end of the city to the other is about 1 km. To move efficiently, it’s important to plan in advance.
The official website also features a guide map and a Google map marking the participating shops. Check the locations and routes of the shops and think about your own food crawl course.
On the day of the event, a main booth will be set up in the parking lot next to Dan Y Dwa.
You can pick up your tickets, purchase same-day tickets, and there will be staff available for guidance, so feel free to stop by if you have any questions.
No Worries if You Have Extra Tickets: "Ato Nomi-no"
The event is for one day only, but there is a reassuring system called "Ato Nomi-no" for any extra tickets.
From November 17 (Monday) to November 23 (Sunday), the day after the event, any leftover tickets can be used as 900 yen vouchers at participating "Ato Nomi-no" shops.
While no change will be given, you can use multiple tickets at one shop.
Check the guide map or official website for participating shops.
Not only on the day of the event but also for the following week, you can enjoy Kurashiki at a great value using your tickets.
I spoke with two members of the executive committee about why they decided to restart "Harenomi-no Kurashiki" after six years.
Interview with the Harenomi-no Kurashiki Executive Committee
I spoke with Tomohiro Matsushita (the executive committee chair) and Yasumasa Saito (an executive committee member) about the behind-the-scenes of the event's restart and its highlights.
The Joy of Dining Out, Once Again.
This will be the first event in six years; can you tell us about the trigger for the restart?
Matsushita (no honorifics)
This is the 10th time.
I really wanted to do it for this significant "10th time" (laughs).
People around me started asking, "Aren't you going to do it soon?" and I began to think it might be a good time to do it again. Overcoming the pandemic, I also had the feeling that I wanted to "bring back the vibrancy to the city."
I hear that the participating shops have changed quite a bit since before.
Saito (no honorifics)
Yes. More than 30 new shops are participating this time.
About half of the 74 shops are new.
Some shops have been around for a long time but are participating for the first time, and I can feel that the scenery of the city has changed.
Looking at Instagram, you can really feel the enthusiasm of each shop.
Matsushita
That's right. It seems that everyone at the participating shops is enjoying it with the atmosphere of "It's a festival!" Many shops are preparing special items for the event.
Do popular shops tend to have long lines?
Saito
Especially during the day, there are long lines.
However, it tends to calm down at night, so that might be a good time to go. Even if you have to wait, it usually turns over in about 20 minutes, so I don't think it feels like a long wait.
What do you want participants to feel through this event?
Matsushita
I would be happy if they could remember that eating out is fun.
After experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized once again that the time spent eating with others is something extremely necessary in life.
I truly believe that dining is a part of life. Laughing, eating, going to the next place—being able to feel each of these moments is what Harenomi-no Kurashiki is all about.
Message for first-time participants
Please say a word to those who are hesitant to participate.
Saito
Please try it at least once. If you participate just once, I believe you will definitely feel the fun.
As you visit the stores, your excitement will naturally rise, and before you know it, you will be laughing.
Matsushita
You can participate with children without worry, and we also provide juice and light snacks, so those who cannot drink alcohol can enjoy themselves just as much.
Feel free to join and enjoy walking around the town at your own pace.
Message for repeat participants
Do you have any special enjoyment or message for those who participate every time?
Saito
This event has a really high number of repeat participants. When I see the reservation emails, I can immediately tell, "Oh, this person is coming again!"
I want to convey, "Welcome back, let's enjoy together again!"
Matsushita
This time, there are more new participating stores, so it seems like it will have a slightly different atmosphere than usual.
I believe that even regular participants will be able to enjoy new discoveries, thinking, "I didn't know there was a store like this!"
In conclusion, a delicious reunion in the streets of Kurashiki
Overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, "Harenomi-no Kurashiki" is returning for the first time in six years.
It is not just a dining event, but a warm moment where the town and people connect through deliciousness.
The joy of eating with someone.
A little encounter with an unknown store.
The excitement of walking through the town. It is a special day where you can feel all of this.
In November 2025, the streets of Kurashiki will once again be bustling.
Why not get a ticket and enjoy your own unique gourmet hopping experience?
Data for the 10th Harenomi-no Kurashiki 2025
| Name | 10th Harenomi-no Kurashiki 2025 |
|---|---|
| Date | November 16, 2025 (Sunday) *Business hours vary by store |
| Location | Around JR Kurashiki Station |
| Participation fee (including tax) | Advance ticket: 900 yen x 5 tickets for 4,500 yen Same-day ticket: 1,000 yen per ticket |
| Homepage | 10th Harenomi-no Kurashiki 2025 |
