For the author living near JR Kurashiki Station, Kojima is still an area with many unknown places.
One day, thinking that if I was going to go, I wanted to know the recommendations of the locals, I learned that an event called Kojima Loved Marche would be held at Kojima Boat Race.
I knew that there was a boat race venue in Kojima, but if you are not interested in boat racing, it is a place you rarely have the opportunity to visit.
I heard that the Kojima Loved Marche would feature shops loved by the locals.
Thinking it would be a waste to miss this opportunity to enjoy Kojima's gourmet food and local specialties all at once, I decided to go.
What is Kojima Loved Marche
Kojima Loved Marche was an event held on February 3 (Saturday) and 4 (Sunday), 2024, at the Kojima Boat Race Event Space.
In conjunction with the major race "GⅢ All Ladies 35th Seto Queen Decision Race," it was jointly planned by the Kurashiki City Boat Race Office and the Kojima Chamber of Commerce, featuring many carefully selected local famous shops and products.
You can enjoy a wide range of popular gourmet food from Kojima and shopping for textile products, which are local specialties.
On the same day, there were events such as a photo session with popular characters, a hands-on workshop for children, and the "SETO1 Grand Prix (comedy live)," making it possible to spend a whole day at the boat race venue.
It is an event full of plans that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
I visited Kojima Loved Marche
I will introduce the situation of the marche I attended on February 3 (Saturday).
From JR Kurashiki Station to Kojima Boat Race
Kojima Boat Race operates a free bus to the boat race venue on race days.
The stations from which the free bus departs are as follows:
- Kojima Station
- JR Kurashiki Station (via Shioi / via Amagi)
- Sōja route
- Tenmaya route
- Fukuyama route
- Kankō Station route (via Shin-Kurashiki Station)
*From April 13, 2024, the Shioi route from JR Kurashiki Station will be reduced, and the Sōja and Fukuyama routes will be discontinued. For details, please check the official website.
I used the free bus from JR Kurashiki Station.
The free bus departs from platform 7 at the south exit bus rotary of JR Kurashiki Station.
When boarding, you receive a ticket from the driver. Although I didn't use it again, it's good to keep it until you get off just in case.
On this day, there were three passengers, including myself, who boarded from Kurashiki Station. However, at each stop along the way, two or three more people boarded, and by the time we arrived at the boat race venue, more than ten people were using the free bus.
The other passengers on the bus seemed to be there for the boat racing, as many elderly people were intently looking at the race entry list.
After about 50 minutes of departure, we arrived at Kojima Boat Race.
At the entrance, there is a machine similar to a ticket gate, where you insert the entrance fee of 100 yen to proceed.
Even if you don't have coins, there is a change machine nearby, so you can rest assured.
Once inside the boat race venue, I was surprised to see a wide range of age groups among the visitors, bustling with families with children, young women, and groups of men and women.
Ramen from an Okonomiyaki shop!? "Acchan's" Miso Ramen
Having not eaten anything since the morning, I decided to try some Kojima gourmet food first.
The sounds of frying ingredients, the aroma of broth, and the steam rising from the pots stimulated my senses at every shop, making it hard to decide which to choose.
The weather that day was slightly cloudy. Feeling a bit chilly, I aimed for a warm noodle dish.
After much deliberation, I purchased the Miso Ramen from Acchan.
I had heard beforehand that "Acchan" is an okonomiyaki shop, and I was curious about ramen from an okonomiyaki shop.
The price is 800 yen.
While waiting for my miso ramen to be prepared, the shop staff asked me, "Would you like garlic?"
I’m sure some people are concerned about the smell, so it's nice to have the option. I requested garlic to be added.
The completed miso ramen was handed to me by a child helping out at the shop. Their effort was heartwarming.
I quickly moved to the dining area to try it out.
The soup has a rich miso flavor while being refreshing on the aftertaste, making it so delicious that you want to drink it all.
The slightly firm noodles cling well to the soup, and when eaten with the crunchy green onions and bean sprouts, they are a perfect match.
The chashu is bite-sized and easy to eat, yet it has a satisfying meatiness that provides a sense of fulfillment.
Currently, Acchan's shop does not sell miso ramen, and it seems to have been revived exclusively for this marche.
It was a rare and delightful booth for the locals as well.
A café's booth! "Jun Kissa San Lemon's" Napolitan
Another menu I was curious about was the enchanting Napolitan from Jun Kissa San Lemon, which has been loved in Kojima for many years.
I have visited San Lemon in the past, but it was quite surprising to see a retro café set up a booth at an outdoor marche like this.
Since there was already a long line, I hurriedly got in line.
At one point, the Napolitan sauce ran out, and sales were temporarily halted, but it was reassuring that sales resumed while I was waiting in line. This shows the popularity of Napolitan.
The freshly made Napolitan has a fragrant noodle texture, with both crispy and chewy parts providing a different deliciousness.
The ketchup sauce is slightly sweet, evoking a sense of nostalgia in this Napolitan.
Eating retro Western food outdoors may be a rare experience.
Experience making Kojima's textile products and bath salts
At this marche, many textile products from Kojima were also on sale, so I decided to walk around the shops to work off some of my meal.
FLAT (Takada Textile) had a booth featuring small items made from tatami edging, which caught my eye with their cute appearance.
From traditional patterns to character designs, they are said to be popular as handmade items recently.
Sakata Textile Co., Ltd. was selling items made from Sanada cord.
What caught my attention in particular was the Sanada cord shoelaces. They are stylish items that seem unlikely to be seen on others, which is nice.
While I was wondering what to buy as a souvenir for myself, I found the Kojima Salt Tying Project Executive Committee's bath salt making experience.
Since I was there, I thought I would give it a try! My friend and I decided to challenge ourselves to make bath salt. It costs 500 yen per session.
The salt used for the bath salt is salt from the Nozaki family, who were once known as the salt king in Kojima.
After measuring the specified amount of salt, I transferred it to a paper cup and mixed in my favorite color to dye it.
I chose emerald, while my friend chose purple.
As I mixed it, the salt changed to a vibrant color. It was also fun to compare colors with my friend while making it.
Once the color was set, I drew my favorite illustrations or text on the packaging to complete it. In the end, the staff sealed it for me.
Since I came to Boat Race Kojima, I drew an illustration of the character Gaa~ko.
I was able to make it very easily while chatting with the staff and my friend. This would be easy for children to try as well.
The Kojima Salt Tying Project Executive Committee also sells sweets made with salt, including salt madeleines created in collaboration with the local famous confectionery store Patisserie Piaget Kojima Main Store.
They combine Kojima blue, which is a denim color, with salt. All the products are full of Kojima.
It was a fun time not only shopping but also creating a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
First Challenge at Boat Race
While enjoying the market, I heard the sound of boats racing and the announcements of the races.
The outdoor stand seats are freely accessible, so you can casually peek at the races.
Since I had never had the opportunity to watch a boat race before, the moment I saw the thrilling race, I felt like saying, "Maybe I should buy a boat ticket."
Boat races are held multiple times a day, so I decided to buy a ticket for the next race.
However, both my friend and I were new to boat racing. We didn't know where or how to buy a ticket, so we headed to Gaa~ko's room for information.
In Gaa~ko's room, a staff member called "Princess Peace" kindly taught us how to buy tickets and how to read the race schedule.
The race schedule contains data on each competitor's past performances, and I was surprised to see records of any false starts.
It seems that competitors who have false started may be more cautious during the start dash, making it an important factor for predictions.
The automatic ticket vending machines for boat tickets are installed all over the venue, allowing you to fill them out at your own pace.
After filling out the mark sheet, you insert the boat ticket into the nearby automatic vending machine and put in your money.
Boat tickets can be purchased from 100 yen each, making it easier to buy than I expected.
If you don't understand how to use the automatic vending machine, you can consult a nearby security guard, who will help you.
As a beginner in boat racing, I was able to purchase a boat ticket without any confusion. Now, I just need to enjoy the race.
The boats are faster than they appear on television, and the race progresses in no time.
Unfortunately, both I and my friend missed our predictions, but it was enjoyable like a game of chance, which made me think, "I want to try this again."
The audience was surprisingly young. Some children who had come to the market were also very excited to see the boat race up close.
Conclusion
The Kojima Loved Marche is an event I would recommend to both tourists and locals, as it allows you to enjoy gourmet food and shopping in Kojima.
In particular, the menu items that can only be eaten at the event were a delightful addition for the locals.
I had previously thought that boat race venues were hard to enter, but at this Marche, I saw many families and young people, which completely changed that image.
On the day of the Marche, there were warm dining spaces with stoves and free coin lockers, making it a very comfortable venue, in my personal opinion.
The ease of access for a wide range of ages is perhaps one of the unique charms of the Marche.
I visited the boat race venue with the purpose of attending the Marche, and I was able to purchase a boat ticket for the first time, which was a good experience.
In the future, when I see the name Boat Race Kojima, I feel like it will seem more familiar to me than before.
Articles about Boat Race Kojima
Data on Kojima Loved Marche
| Name | Kojima Loved Marche |
|---|---|
| Date | Dates: February 3 (Saturday) and 4 (Sunday), 2024 Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Location | 6-3 Motohama-cho, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Admission fee: 100 yen per person. Free for those under 20 when accompanied by a guardian. Experience activities like bath salt making and Sanada cord accessory making are paid. |
| Homepage | Boat Race Kojima |
