[Held on Sunday, April 26] 4th Harmony Marche 〜 A charity event to energize Shōshinmachi and support children’s cafeterias and people with disabilities

Shoshinmachi is a residential area of about 840 households near Okayama City, about a 10-minute drive northeast of JR Nakasho Station.

The charity event “Harmony Marche,” held to support a children’s cafeteria and people with disabilities, will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026. It is organized jointly by a restaurant that set out to revitalize the area and a local youth group.

We spoke with Midori Altagracia Espinal (Midori), manager of Armonía and the founder of Harmony Marche, about what to look forward to.

What is the 4th Harmony Marche?

Harmony Marche is a marche event featuring a music stage and food, drink, and hands-on experience vendors, held at the Shoshinmachi No. 4 Park grounds. In 2026, it will be held for the fourth time.

It originally began as an anniversary event for Armonía, the restaurant run by organizer Midori. From the second event onward, it has been held as a charity event to support a children’s cafeteria and people with disabilities, bringing together the people of Shoshinmachi.

The 2nd Harmony Marche (held April 14, 2024) — Experiencing the harmony created by local pride

Since moving from the Kanto region to Kurashiki in December 2023 as a Kurashiki City Community Revitalization Cooperator, I’ve noticed that many people are working to “revitalize the area where they were born and raised.” My family…

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Midori’s classmates, including members of the local Yamanji Youth Group, have joined the organizing team. The Shoshinmachi neighborhood association also supports the event and helps make it a success. It is becoming a spring tradition in Shoshinmachi, bringing the community together to enjoy the event.

In 2026, there will be 10 food vendors, 4 drink vendors, and 4 hands-on experience vendors. The main stage will feature musical performances by five acts, from the opening through to the closing.

See the images below for details.

Interview with Midori, founder of Harmony Marche

What kind of event is Harmony Marche?

Midori (honorific omitted)

The name of my cafe, Armonía, means “harmony” in Spanish.

I started it with the hope that all people, things, and cultures on Earth would create a beautiful harmony (Armonía) here, transcending borders, ethnicities, languages, and religions.

When I thought about who I wanted to share that wish with, the first people who came to mind were the members of the local neighborhood association, who have always been there for me. So I started out with the idea of holding an event for the local community.

This includes people who, because of disabilities or other circumstances, find it difficult to go out. I organize Harmony Marche in the hope that people living in this area can enjoy live music and connect with one another while staying in their own town, helping to revitalize Shoshinmachi.

Please tell us about the event’s main attraction.

Midori

A group will perform live painting alongside the music stage. Until now, the music stage has mainly been something to enjoy by listening, except for the final program, “Let’s Sing in Sign Language.” With live painting, there are now more programs that you can enjoy watching.

How can people enjoy the event on the day?

Midori

The music stage runs throughout the event, so there will always be music playing.

I hope you’ll sway along to the music, enjoy delicious food and drinks, visit the hands-on activity area, and have a wonderful time.

Do you have a message for our readers?

Midori

Unfortunately, it rained last year, but this year I hope for sunny weather and want to make this an event that many people can attend.

Visitors from outside the area are very welcome. We look forward to seeing you.

From the Writer

When I, as someone with a hearing disability, became interested in Harmony Marche, organizer Midori’s face lit up, and she sincerely listened to me, saying, “All the people, things, and cultures on Earth that I hope will create a beautiful harmony (Armonía) naturally include people with hearing disabilities. How can we make it possible for you to participate?”

Starting with the second Harmony Marche, a program was introduced in which all the vendors and participants sing a song in sign language at the finale.

Harmony Marche is run flexibly, with an eye to the participants, so that everyone can enjoy the event. Why not spend a weekend at this marche, where people from diverse backgrounds—including different races and people with and without disabilities—come together in harmony through food and music?

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