Somen, kakigori, hiyashi chuka... There are various cold foods that we crave in summer, but especially easy-to-eat ice cream is a strong ally to get through the scorching heat.
There are various types of ice cream, from classic ones available at convenience stores to local ice creams loved by the locals.
In August 2024, Boat Race Kojima hosted the "National Ice Cream Festival 2024", featuring over 100 types of local ice cream. The local ice creams gathered from all over Japan are rare items that are not often seen in Kurashiki.
Attracted by this summer-only event, I also participated with my mother.
What is the National Ice Cream Festival 2024?
The National Ice Cream Festival is an event held at Boat Race Kojima.
From August 1 (Thursday) to 22 (Thursday), during the race days, over 100 types of local ice cream were sold at the boat race venue.
There are classic ice creams like "Blue Seal Ice" from Okinawa and "Shirokuma Ice" from Kagoshima, which can also be found at product exhibitions, as well as unusual ice creams with flavors that are hard to imagine, such as "Garlic Ice" and "Eggplant Ice".
With over 100 varieties of ice cream, it seemed that many people were sharing with their families and friends.
Additionally, at this event, you can purchase ice cream at more affordable prices than usual, making it tempting to try various flavors.
Boat Race Kojima offers free direct buses only on race days, making it easy to access the venue, which is another nice point. The departure stations for the free buses are as follows:
- Kojima Station
- Kurashiki Station [via Shiohama] [via Amagi]
- Kankou Station [via Shin-Kurashiki Station]
- Tenmaya
An ice cream festival perfect for all ages, ideal for summer. Here’s a look at the atmosphere of the day.
The event day atmosphere
On August 11 (Sunday), I used the free direct bus from JR Kurashiki Station to head to the boat race venue.
There is an entrance fee of 100 yen for Boat Race Kojima. Even if you don't have coins, there is a change machine right next to the entrance gate, so you can feel secure.
Since it was summer vacation season, various events were taking place inside the boat race venue.
There was a line at the water play area for small children. Despite the scorching heat, the cheerful voices of children playing echoed around.
A specialty market featuring products from Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture was also held on the same day. There were many products not usually seen, but first, I headed to the ice cream festival venue.
On the way, I happened to see boat race athletes practicing. It looked refreshing to run on the sea under the blue sky.
The venue lined with freezers full of ice cream
As I moved further into the boat race venue, I could see the entrance to the ice cream festival. It seems to be a special venue prepared for this event.
Passing through a cute wall decorated with ice cream designs, I first received a cooler bag that can be used while shopping. The cooler bag is returned at the time of payment.
Inside the venue, there were rows of freezers lined up towards the back. They were categorized by region, making it easier for those who had decided on the ice cream they wanted to find their favorites.
Many families were choosing ice cream together with their children, engaging in heartwarming conversations like, "Look, there's your favorite strawberry flavor, Mom!" and "What flavor do you think this one is?"
On the walls of the special venue, over 100 types of ice cream were introduced. I had already decided on the ice cream I wanted to buy, but reading the detailed descriptions might make me hesitate.
The freezers were also decorated with pops, indicating the recommended ice creams by the staff, so for those who are unsure, it might be a good idea to refer to the recommended ice creams.
Additionally, just peeking into the freezers can lead to encounters with ice creams that have intriguing names or eye-catching appearances, making it fun to choose based on intuition.
The ice cream purchased is kept in the cooler bag until payment. Thanks to the cooler bag, I was able to shop with peace of mind.
After completing the payment, I moved to a bench inside the boat racing venue.
The boat racing venue has many benches with tables, so there was no trouble finding a place to eat. Since I was there, I decided to sit in a seat where I could see the boat races up close and enjoy some ice cream.
Comparing 4 Local Ice Creams
The ice creams I chose were "Twin Leaf Shizuoka Specialty Ice Cream Unagi" and "Sanriku Uni Ice Cream". My mother, who came with me, purchased "Black Sugar Ice Cream" and "Nagato Farm Soft Serve Dorayaki".
First, I will try the "Sanriku Uni Ice Cream" from Miyagi Prefecture.
When I opened the lid, I was first surprised to see that there was a generous topping of uni on top of the ice cream.
The salty milk ice cream mixed with the uni had a flavor that made me feel the sea of Sanriku. There was no fishy smell at all, and the rich flavor of the uni matched perfectly with the milk ice cream. Since it's summer, it's nice to be able to replenish salt.
Next, I will try the Nagato Farm Soft Serve Dorayaki from Nagano Prefecture, which my mother purchased.
The dorayaki skin is thin, and it has a chewy texture that makes it hard to believe it was in the freezer. The soft serve inside is also cold and creamy, and the richness unique to farm ice cream is irresistible. It's easy to share, and since it can be eaten by hand, I thought it was an ice cream that even children could easily enjoy.
While I was eating the ice cream, the boat race started. It felt like a great deal to enjoy the refreshing boat race while eating delicious ice cream.
The third ice cream I tried was the Black Sugar Ice Cream from Shingo Village, Aomori Prefecture. At that moment, I learned for the first time that black sugar is a specialty of Shingo Village.
I have never eaten real black sugar, but the taste was rich sweetness like Japanese-style caramel. There was a hint of roastiness, making it a nostalgic ice cream. Among the four types I purchased, it was the sweetest.
Finally, I will try the "Twin Leaf Shizuoka Specialty Ice Cream Unagi" from Shizuoka Prefecture. This is an ice cream I bought without any idea of the flavor.
The flavor is milk-flavored ice cream with hints of sansho and the unique roastiness of unagi. The flavor of sansho and unagi overpowers the sweetness, creating a unique taste where you can feel the richness of unagi within the milk. It was a flavor I had never tasted before in my life.
After trying these four uniquely flavored ice creams, I thought each had a deliciousness that utilized local specialties. Since most of the ice creams are not found in Kurashiki, I was glad to be able to enjoy these precious local ice creams at this event.
If I had more time, I would have liked to visit several times to try all the ice creams. Now that I know many local ice creams, I hope to encounter them someday while traveling.
In the end, I took a commemorative photo at a cute photo spot before heading home.
Conclusion
The National Ice Cream Festival features over 100 types of local ice creams.
I decided what to buy in advance, but when I arrived at the venue, there were so many attractive ice creams that I was overwhelmed.
Through the ice creams, I learned about local specialties from all over Japan, such as "black sugar is a specialty of Aomori Prefecture," so I felt there was enjoyment beyond just eating.
I also realized that ice cream pairs well with various ingredients, and it was interesting to think about "what if we made ice cream with Kurashiki's specialties...".
On the day of the event, there were various activities such as a specialty market and a water play area, making it a lively venue for all ages.
It seems that various events will continue to be held in the future, so please check it out as a candidate for your weekend outings.
Articles about Boat Racing Kojima
Data for National Ice Cream Festival 2024 in Boat Race Kojima
| Name | National Ice Cream Festival 2024 in Boat Race Kojima |
|---|---|
| Dates | Boat race days in August August 1 (Thu) to August 4 (Sun) August 8 (Thu) to August 13 (Tue) August 17 (Sat) to August 22 (Thu) From 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Location | 6-3 Motohama-cho, Kojima, Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 100 yen required as admission fee for the boat race |
| Website | Special site for National Ice Cream Festival 2024 |
