In 2024, the record-breaking hot summer has finally come to an end, and we are now in a season where we can feel the signs of autumn.
For those who are wondering where to go for sightseeing during this time, I would like to recommend the "巡・金田一耕助 謎解きラリー" event, which will be held from October 2 (Wednesday) to December 22 (Sunday), 2024.
The Kindaichi Kosuke series, based on the works of Yokomizo Seishi, still has many devoted fans. A characteristic feature is that many of the works are set in Okayama Prefecture and have filming locations there.
I will convey the charm of this event, which allows participants to visit places related to the stories while solving mysteries.
Overview of the "巡・金田一耕助の小径 謎解きラリー"
Yokomizo Seishi evacuated to what is now Okayada, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City for three years starting in April 1945. Perhaps influenced by this experience, many of his works are set in Okayama Prefecture or have filming locations there, making it an essential element of his stories.
The "巡・金田一耕助の小径 謎解きラリー" is a stamp rally that takes participants to 12 carefully selected locations related to the author Yokomizo Seishi or the settings and filming locations of his works. At each location, participants solve a mystery and receive an original sticker, using both a smartphone and a leaflet.
The leaflet is available at each event location and tourist information centers, and can also be downloaded from the following link.
As for the prizes, they are as follows.
- If you collect all the stamps from each spot (12 locations) using your smartphone, you can enter a lottery to win local specialties from each city and town.
- By answering the mysteries at least one spot in each of the groups A to D (a total of at least 4 spots) listed in the leaflet, and collecting at least one stamp from the checkpoints A and B, you will receive an original sticker. (First 500 participants)
- If you solve all 12 mysteries and collect stamps from 6 checkpoints, you will receive a secret prize. (First 100 participants)
*The secret prize can only be redeemed with a leaflet that has all the mystery answers and checkpoint stamps.
Redemption of the original stickers and secret prizes is possible at the spots marked with a ★ and at the Kasaoka Tourism Federation.
Redemption of the secret prize has ended.
The places you will visit are 12 locations in 6 cities and 1 town: Niimi City, Takahashi City, Soja City, Kurashiki City, Yakage Town, Ibara City, and Kasaoka City. The spots are further divided into the following 4 groups.
- Group A
★Makido Cave (Niimi City)
★Hirokane Residence (Takahashi City)
★Medieval Dream Land (Ibara City) - Group B
★Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum (Kurashiki City)
★Yokomizo Seishi's Evacuation House (Kurashiki City)
★Soja City Machikado Folk Museum (Soja City) - Group C
★Old Yakage Honjin Ishii Residence (Yakage Town)
Kiyone Station (Soja City)
Old Yunoki House (Saiso-tei) (Kurashiki City) - Group D
★Inoue House (Kurashiki City)
★Nozaki's Historical Residence (Kurashiki City)
Sumiyoshi Port (Kasaoka City)
The original stickers are limited in quantity. Please check in advance at each facility when obtaining them.
*Redemption at the Kurashiki City Mabi Furusato History Museum has ended. (As of October 28, 2024)
How to Participate in the Mystery Solving Rally
Participation requires a leaflet and a smartphone.
- Access the QR code on the leaflet with your smartphone to register as a user. You can start from any of the 12 spots.
- Scan the QR code located at the bottom left of the poster with the "mystery" at each spot with your smartphone to receive the stamp for that spot.
The stamp will contain hints for the mystery. - Write the answer to the mystery in the "Answer" section of the leaflet. Don't forget to collect the stamp at the window at spots with checkpoints.
I visited the Old Yakage Honjin Ishii Residence in Group C for "Mystery 7," so I will introduce it as a reference.
The "mysteries" are displayed near the entrance of each facility. If you are unsure, please check with the reception or facility staff.
The "mysteries" are not related to the works of Kindaichi Kosuke or Yokomizo Seishi, so you can enjoy them even if you are not familiar with the works.
By scanning the QR code located at the bottom left of the poster with the "mystery," you will receive a stamp with hints written on it, as shown in the image. (Please check the hints yourself)
Next, write the answer to the mystery in the leaflet. (You will need to find the answer yourself)
At facilities with checkpoints, please be careful not to forget to collect the stamp.
The Appeal of the Mystery Solving Rally and Event Initiatives
I spoke with Noriko Yasuhara from the Kurashiki City Tourism Division and Takahiro Miyake about the "Kindaichi Kosuke no Komichi" and the feedback from participants, as well as details about the prizes for the "巡・金田一耕助の小径 謎解きスタンプラリー."
The "mysteries" on the desk in the image are examples from 2023.
When did the name "Kindaichi Kosuke no Komichi" start being used?
Yasuhara (no honorifics)
It started in 2009 as a project of Kurashiki City. Initially, it was centered around Mabi, but gradually expanded through bus tours, and since 2015, it has been conducted as a project in the Takahashi River basin.
Currently, it has become a project that spans 6 cities and 1 town, including Niimi City and Kasaoka City, allowing participants to visit places related to the works of Yokomizo Seishi and Kindaichi Kosuke.
Could you tell us more about this mystery solving rally?
Miyake (no honorifics)
The selected 12 spots are divided into 4 groups, A to D, and participants will solve at least one mystery from each group of 3 spots. Additionally, for groups A and B, if they collect at least one stamp in the checkpoint stamp section, they will receive an original sticker.
Prizes are limited in quantity, so please check the website or the leaflet for the spots where prizes can be redeemed.
What kind of original stickers are there?
Yasuhara
The original sticker features a famous character from the Kindaichi Kosuke series, and this year's (2024) original sticker is of "Inugami SukeKiyo" from The Inugami Family.
Miyake
The original stickers started with the mystery solving rally in 2022, and this is the third time. The first was "Kindaichi Kosuke," and the second was "Tajimi Yozou" from The Village of Eight Graves.
Both are popular characters and have been well received by participants.
How are the groups A to D determined?
Yasuhara
To allow participants to enjoy more spots, we ensure that the locations are not biased. In groups A and B, participants need to collect stamps at checkpoints, where they can also ask for information about tourist spots.
Miyake
The filming locations and settings, as well as places related to the author, include various historical buildings, stations, ports, and more. Visiting nearby tourist spots and gourmet locations will enhance the experience.
Are there other ways to enjoy besides the "mystery solving"?
Miyake
The "mystery solving rally" allows participants to write answers in the leaflet and collect stamps at checkpoints while also enjoying a stamp rally with their smartphones.
Using the JAF Drive Stamp Rally, if you collect all the stamps from the 12 spots, you can enter a lottery to win a collection of local specialties from each city and town.
Yasuhara
Additionally, we have displayed "character illustrations" drawn by fans of Yokomizo Seishi's works through a public recruitment process. This year, illustrations were created based on three works: "The Honjin Murder Case," "The Inugami Family," and "The Village of Eight Graves."
The character illustrations are displayed at spots other than "Kiyone Station" and "Old Yunoki House (Saiso-tei)," so please take a look. If you want to know more about the characters, please read the works.
I believe watching the movies and dramas will enhance your enjoyment.
In addition to the mystery solving rally, there are also events like the cosplay event "1000 People Kindaichi Kosuke," so please check the website for details.
Conclusion
Yokomizo Seishi is a representative mystery writer of the Showa era, and his experience of evacuating to what is now Okayada, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City has greatly influenced his works, enhancing the enjoyment of "Okayama" through place names, characters, and the settings of events and filming locations.
I also visited several places, and it became enjoyable to aim for the next tourist spot while solving the mysteries, and I got completely absorbed in it.
If you haven't seen (or read) the works yet, please take this opportunity to see (or read) them. By touring the "Path of Kindaichi Kosuke," you might discover a new "Okayama" that you didn't know before.
Data for the Kindaichi Kosuke Path Mystery Solving Rally
| Name | Kindaichi Kosuke Path Mystery Solving Rally |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 2, 2024 (Wed) - December 22, 2024 (Sun) |
| Location | Kurashiki City, Takahashi City, Ibara City, Kasaoka City, Niimi City, Soja City, Yakage Town |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Varies by facility. Please check in advance. |
| Website | Kurashiki City Tourism WEB "Kindaichi Kosuke Path" |
You can download it from here←(tap or click)
*If you download and use it, please print it in A3 size.