Do you know the term "magic hour"?
A brief moment transitioning from dusk to night. The colors of the sky change moment by moment, enveloping the entire town in a fantastical atmosphere.
During this magic hour, a special event called "Magic Hour Honmachi no Kishi Taverna" is held only on the fifth Saturday in the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki.
I wanted to enjoy drinks and food while walking through the charming streets of the Bikan Historical Area during the beautiful dusk. With that thought in mind, I decided to attend the event.
What is Magic Hour Honmachi no Kishi Taverna?
"Magic Hour Honmachi no Kishi Taverna" is a special event held only during the dusk of the fifth Saturday along Honmachi Street in the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki.
This time, nine stores participated. Benches and tables were set up under the eaves and in the squares, transforming the town into an outdoor tavern space.
While enjoying the magic hour transitioning from dusk to night, locals and tourists alike can savor food and drinks together.
The participating stores are as follows:
- Kurashiki Cafe Tsuchiya Residence
- Hayashi Genjuro Pharmacy Museum Rooftop Terrace Akaneiro
- Doma Soba
- Felicite
- Aki Satei
- KUKU
- Matanaga Shoten
- Ginroku
- Jurokuya Kurashiki Sake Shop Tokichi
Enjoying standing drinks in the beautiful dusk
I arrived around 3 PM. In contrast to the bustling Golden Week, a calm and relaxed atmosphere flowed through the Bikan Historical Area.
The participating stores were marked by the charmingly designed "Honmachi no Kishi Taverna" tapestry hanging from their eaves.
Following that, I walked around and found stores offering Western and Japanese food, snacks, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
On the street, I saw local regulars and tourists enjoying the atmosphere, with smiles as they casually enjoyed standing drinks.
As dusk approached, more people gathered, and there was a guitar performance in front of the store. Passersby couldn't help but stop and listen.
The gentle singing voice and pleasant guitar sounds enveloped the entire Bikan Historical Area.
Drinking cold draft beer while feeling the pleasant breeze
When I arrived, the sun was still strong, and it was warm enough to break a sweat while walking. I wanted to have a drink first, so I bought a draft beer at KUKU.
There was a counter window outside the store where you could place your order.
I took it to the adjacent square, where wooden tables were set up, allowing for standing drinks.
Drinking a cold draft beer while feeling the pleasant breeze was exceptional, and it eased the heat.
Enjoying "Doma Soba" soba under a charming eaves
As I walked through the Bikan Historical Area, I felt a bit hungry, so I decided to have a meal.
Attracted by the charming eaves and the imposing wooden table in the center of the store, I entered Doma Soba.
Since it was still hot outside, I ordered cold soba.
The smooth noodles and the gentle flavor of the broth were just right, making it so delicious that I wanted to eat it again and again.
Experiencing the pairing of sake and gelato
At the gelato specialty store Ginroku, you can enjoy a special pairing of sake and gelato exclusive to the event.
The knowledgeable staff will recommend gelato that pairs well with the sake you ordered.
Following the staff's recommendation, I chose a combination of Daiginjo "Roman" and pear gelato.
The fruity flavor of the sake and the refreshing sweetness of the pear matched perfectly.
Since the staff suggests based on the customer's preferences, the casual atmosphere makes it easy to stop by, even if you are not familiar with sake.
In addition to sake, wine was also available, so various combinations could be enjoyed.
Conclusion
Beautiful Sunset enveloped Honmachi Street in the Bikan Historical Area, creating an atmosphere as if the entire town were an outdoor bar. Under the charming eaves and in the squares, tables and benches were set up, overflowing with the smiles of people enjoying drinks and food.
Although I attended alone, the customers and staff at the same shop casually struck up conversations with me. This kind of easy communication is one of the unique charms of standing bars.
Not only was the food and drink delicious, but the atmosphere of the outdoor bar and the interactions with people made it a comfortable event to enjoy.
The next event is scheduled for August 30, 2025 (Saturday).
Data on Magic Hour Honmachi's Kishi Bar
| Name | Magic Hour Honmachi's Kishi Bar |
|---|---|
| Date | From around 3 PM to around 8 PM |
| Location | Honmachi Street, Bikan Historical Area, Kurashiki |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Website | Honmachi's Kishi Bar Instagram |
