Restrictions on activities have also been lifted in Kurashiki, and more market events are being held with thorough measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“I wonder which market I should visit today.”
When you find yourself thinking that, there’s a market I’d love for you to visit.
A market that has continued to be held in Tamashima since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s called “Kawara Marche.”
With the desire to “support shops working hard in the local community,” local volunteers formed a project committee and hold this event every month.
This market came about after much trial and error, as they sought to create a place to relax and a place for people to connect even during the pandemic.
Now in its third year in 2022, it has quietly become a popular market that the local community can’t do without.
The information provided was current when this article was published in January 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Kawara Marche?
Kawara Marche is held regularly on the last Sunday morning of every month.
It is organized by the Kawara Marche Project Committee.
- Location: 209-1 Tamashima Yuzaki, Kurashiki City (on the grounds of Hirano Roofing Works)
- Dates: Last Sunday of every month
- Time: 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Parking: About 50 meters north of Hirano Roofing Works
Kawara Marche is takeout only. There is no dine-in space.
The flyer also asks visitors to keep their stay to “about 40 minutes.”
It seems like a place where you can shop with peace of mind even during the pandemic.
The vendors are full of character, with a focus on shops working hard in the local community.
From regular vendors to first-time participants, 24 shops took part this time.
The day of the market
When I visited on December 25, 21 second-year students from Konko Gakuen High School were taking part as part of their inquiry-based learning.
They had made flyers introducing various shops in advance and helped with sales on the day.
One group had also planned an event themselves and set up a handmade shop.
Since it was Christmas, they wore Santa hats and beards to liven up the market.
The students were very polite and cheerfully posed for photos, saying, “Say cheese!”
The energy of young people is wonderful.
In addition, staff gave snacks to children who came to the event, and held a rock-paper-scissors tournament. It seems to be a livelier and more welcoming event than I expected.
I was getting excited too, and promptly started looking around the shops.
A sweets shop using fermented foods
The first place I visited was Koji Cafe Dining Eucalyptus.
It had just opened in Tamashima in July 2022.
Before opening the shop, they mainly sold their products at events at Kawara Marche and supplied them to a local produce market.
More and more customers were asking, “I’d like to come and eat—where is your shop?” So, the owner opened the cafe because they wanted people to be able to enjoy healthy food with peace of mind.
There was a wide variety of sweets made with fermented foods, including shio-koji chiffon cake made with 100% rice flour that people with wheat allergies can eat, cheesecake with sake lees, and koji miso pudding. There were so many choices that it was hard to decide what to buy.
In addition to sweets, they also sell healthy bento made with homemade fermented seasonings, rice-flour bread, and other products.
It was cold that day, so the owner’s recommended hot clam chowder was also popular.
I bought several kinds of sweets to take home, and the “okara miso pudding” in particular was irresistibly delicious, with miso-flavored caramel that went perfectly with the pudding.
I think I’ll visit the cafe next time, too.
Fresh vegetables and heartfelt products
The second place I visited was Sueyoshi Farmers.
It is a group involved in farming and community revitalization in Sue, Konko Town, Asakuchi City.
They work to revitalize and energize the community through agriculture.
At the market, they sell vegetables grown on abandoned farmland and handmade products.
Freshly harvested vegetables and handmade products—including glossy mandarins, daikon radishes with their leaves still on, black soybeans, and dried sweet potatoes—were being sold at low prices, and customers kept coming and going to make purchases.
The items for sale vary depending on the season.
Since it was December and New Year’s was approaching, mochi was on sale.
I was told that it had been made just the day before.
“There’s anko inside the yomogi mochi. If you’re lucky, you might get one with peanuts.”
Sales were handled by the Farmers staff.
Students from Konko Gakuen were helping out, too.
“We’re giving you a great deal today! We’ll throw in some mandarins.”
The friendly exchange felt just like visiting a neighborhood greengrocer, and warmed my heart.
Tamashima’s long-established tofu shop
The last place I visited was Obata Shop, which was founded in 1916 and makes and sells tofu in Tamashima.
The shop was recognized in 2017 as one of Kurashiki City’s long-established businesses.
Its appeal lies in its high-quality products, made with carefully selected water and safe, reliable domestic soybeans.
I asked the owner for recommendations.
- Peanut tofu: With its peanut flavor and smooth texture, it’s the kind of taste you’ll become hooked on after just one bite.
- Healthy okara doughnuts: Packed with soy milk and okara, they’re perfect for a snack.
A child had just come in to buy some.
They also had agedashi tofu, oboro tofu, and “fresh yuba,” available exclusively at the Marche.
The writer bought oboro tofu. It was mild and smooth, with no strong flavor, and seemed like something you could eat several servings of.
From the Writer
The writer visited at around 9:30 a.m. Some stalls had already begun to run low on goods.
It seems that many visitors from outside the local area also come to buy the items they have their eye on.
When I think of a marche, I picture one held near a station or in a shopping district, but it seems quite rare for one to be held in a company parking lot made available for the event.
This marche conveys the staff’s desire to energize the local community.
I felt that the people involved in Kawara Marche work together as one, and that local residents identify with their efforts, helping the event take root and grow in the community.
When I spoke with members of the project committee, they said they are still coming up with new and exciting plans. I’m really looking forward to them.
Kawara Marche is supported by many people in the community, inspired by the passion of local volunteers.
It is held on the last Sunday of every month, so why not stop by sometime?
Kawara Marche Information
| Name | Kawara Marche |
|---|---|
| Date | Date: Last Sunday of every month Time: 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. |
| Location | 209-1 Tamashima Yuzaki, Kurashiki City (within the grounds of Hirano Roofing Co.) |
| Admission (tax included) | Free |
| Website | Kawara Marche |
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