January, when the cold becomes even harsher.
When you enter a shop with heating to escape the cold air of the city, your heart, which was tense from the cold, also calms down.
It would be perfect if there were warm sweets there.
Japanese-style sweets like "oshiruko" and "zenzai".
Western-style sweets like "pancakes," "waffles," and "French toast."
Just imagining them makes me feel happy.
An event to enjoy sweets that fill the heart is being held from January 8, 2021.
I spoke with Takahashi Miho from the Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau, which is hosting the Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally, to learn more about the event.
About the "Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally"
The "Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally" is an event where you visit restaurants in Kurashiki City and collect stamps while enjoying warm sweets.
The event runs from January 8, 2021, to March 31, 2021.
It is being held at a total of 41 locations in the "Kurashiki Area," "Kojima Area," "Tamashima Area," and "Mabi Area" within Kurashiki City.
▼ Check the list of participating stores here!
| Store Name | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bright Showa Retro? Kissaten Tsurugata | |
| 2 | Yumiko Igarashi Museum Cafe Princess | |
| 3 | Otemanjyu Cafe | |
| 4 | Ozakiya | |
| 5 | Kashidokoro Hirai Sasaki Branch | |
| 6 | Ohara House Katalyzer | |
| 7 | café dining Ospitare | |
| 8 | Kitchen Mori no Kumasan | Reservation required (same day OK) Limited to 10 servings per day |
| 9 | QINOCO -Mushroom- | |
| 10 | Cuore Kurashiki | |
| 11 | Kurashiki Oimatsu 3-chome Cafe Niwa | Limited to 10 servings per day |
| 12 | Kurashiki Coffee | |
| 13 | Kurashiki Station Hotel Seto Inland Seafood Shirakabe | |
| 14 | Kurashiki Denim Street | |
| 15 | Kurashiki Momoka | |
| 16 | Kurashiki Momoko Kurashiki Main Store | |
| 17 | Koeido Kurashiki Yodet Store | |
| 18 | Coffee & More Scarecrow | |
| 19 | Kokoro-ya | |
| 20 | Kobacoffee | |
| 21 | Yume Kukan Hashiyama | |
| 22 | Taiyaki Honpo | |
| 23 | Toraiahonpo | |
| 24 | Trattoria Jikasei Soba Takenoya | |
| 25 | 72cafe | |
| 26 | Bizen Ware Gallery Kurashiki Ichiyo Kiln 2F Cafe | |
| 27 | Father Christmas | Limited to 50 servings |
| 28 | Fresco Coffee Kurashiki | |
| 29 | Bunkindou | |
| 30 | Machiya Kissa Miyake Shouten | |
| 31 | Motoya | |
| 32 | Ryori Ryokan Tsurugata | |
| 33 | Iso no Yokan Honpo Tanaka Hanashoudou | |
| 34 | Happy Supply Cafe Spica | Limited to 10 servings per day |
| 35 | San Kan Shuzou Liquor Direct Sales Store | |
| 36 | Kashidokoro Hirai Main Store | |
| 37 | Chinese Cuisine Koji | |
| 38 | Soba & Galette Cafe Takeda-ya Nanashou | |
| 39 | Garden Cafe Pongo no on the Hill of Sky and Flowers | |
| 40 | Garden Ryokan Bingo-ya | Reservation required (1 day in advance) |
| 41 | Wohl Wollen |
Eat the target sweets at participating stores and get your stamp.
Those who collect three stamps and apply will receive an original masking tape as a gift.
Additionally, 80 people will be selected to receive a 500 yen gift certificate usable at participating stores.
The stamp sheet is printed in the event's brochure.
Event homepage is also available for download.
Brochures can be obtained at tourist information centers and participating stores in Kurashiki City.
▼ The prizes are as follows.
| Participation Prize (Everyone) | Special Masking Tape |
|---|---|
| 80 Selected | Gift certificate worth 500 yen usable at participating stores |
The sweets eligible for the event are listed in the brochure or on the event homepage.
You get one stamp for each sweet.
Once you collect three stamps, you can apply by dropping your application into the box at a tourist information center in Kurashiki City or mailing it with a 63 yen stamp.
Additionally, if you have three stamps on one stamp sheet, you can apply multiple times.
Since there are stores where you can use GoTo Eat and stores that require reservations, be sure to check the event homepage before heading out.
▼ Here are the application requirements.
| Implementation Period | From January 8, 2021, to March 31, 2021 (postmarked by April 10, 2021) |
|---|---|
| Application Method | Collect three stamps on one postcard and drop it in the application box at a tourist information center in Kurashiki City or mail it with a 63 yen stamp |
| Announcement of Winners | By sending the prizes |
Gift for all participants: "Original Masking Tape"
The participation prize for the event is original masking tape.
When I spoke with Takahashi from the Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau, I was shown the design of the masking tape.
It features cute illustrations of hot sweets, with traditional buildings from the Bikan Historical Area and the Seto-Ohashi Bridge printed in the background, all related to Kurashiki.
The design reflects Takahashi's feelings for the sweets and the city of Kurashiki.
This is a non-sale item that can only be obtained through this event.
Thoughts on the "Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally"
I spoke with Takahashi from the Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau about her thoughts on the "Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally."
What kind of thoughts went into planning the "Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally"?
Takahashi (no honorifics)
In 2021, the impact of COVID-19 continues, and the situation where we cannot travel far persists.
In the midst of the anxiety of the pandemic, the streets of Kurashiki have become lonely with fewer tourists than usual...
Wanting to bring some energy back to Kurashiki was the impetus for this event.
The "Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally" was planned so that people living in the city and nearby can enjoy cafe hopping and sweets, allowing many to spend warm moments and feel happy.
It embodies both the warmth of "HOT" and the comforting feeling of "hotto".
Measures against the spread of COVID-19
Participating stores in the event are implementing Kurashiki City's COVID-19 Measures Declaration.
They are working hard on measures to prevent the spread of infection so that participants in the stamp rally can visit and enjoy sweets with peace of mind.
Of course, when participating in the "Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally," do not forget to follow infection prevention measures.
When going to the stores, make sure to be in good health and wear a mask.
We want to liven up the streets of Kurashiki while keeping everyone safe.
How to enjoy the "Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally"
Takahashi shared how to enjoy the "Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally."
The items eligible for stamps are not only products eaten in-store but also available for takeout.
If you take them home and warm them in the microwave, you can enjoy hot sweets.
You can enjoy an "at-home cafe" with your family.
Additionally, it seems that each store has its own unique stamp.
Collecting these unique stamps is one of the joys of the stamp rally, as I was told.
Conclusion
The event brochure features a variety of hot sweets.
I can't help but feel my heart flutter as I gaze at the sparkling sweets.
In the winter of 2021, it is difficult to travel far due to the impact of COVID-19, but walking around Kurashiki in search of "hot sweets" seems like it will be plenty of fun.
I will also visit cafes in my own town while taking infection prevention measures.
I want to indulge in sweet flavors until my heart and stomach are satisfied.
Data on the Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally
| Name | Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally |
|---|---|
| Event Dates | January 8, 2021 - March 31, 2021 |
| Location | Within Kurashiki City (41 participating stores: Kurashiki, Mizushima, Kojima, Tamashima, Mabi areas) |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | 100 yen to 1,500 yen (varies by store and target product) |
| Homepage | Winter Kurashiki Hot Sweets Stamp Rally |
