Okayama Prefecture is known as the “Fruit Kingdom.”
In summer, delicious fruits such as white peaches, Shine Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes come into season, followed by strawberries in winter.
“Kurashiki Afternoon Tea” is an event launched in 2015 where visitors can enjoy these seasonal fruits. Held regularly in summer and winter, it has become popular for its generous servings of each shop’s own sweets.
Image courtesy of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee
“We want this event to become something people associate with Kurashiki, so that they think, ‘Kurashiki means Kurashiki Afternoon Tea,’” says the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee, which is made up mainly of participating shops and runs the event.
We spoke with Executive Committee Chair Morita Miki and Inoue Yoshiharu, manager of Candle Taku Watanabe-tei, about their efforts so far and what motivates them.
The information presented was current when this article was published in July 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Relax and savor Okayama-grown fruit at Kurashiki Afternoon Tea
Here we introduce the features of Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, which serves afternoon tea unique to the Fruit Kingdom, as well as the participating shops for Summer 2026.
About Kurashiki Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is an elegant tea gathering that originated in Britain around the 19th century, where people enjoy light meals and sweets with tea.
It seems to have been an afternoon pastime for aristocrats, who would fill their stomachs in preparation for evening banquets.
Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, a Kurashiki-style take on afternoon tea, is known for letting visitors relax and enjoy a variety of sweets made with fresh Okayama-grown fruit at shops in Kurashiki.
Image courtesy of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee
In summer, it always features grapes or peaches grown in Okayama Prefecture; in winter, strawberries grown in Okayama Prefecture; and for Halloween, fruit grown in Okayama Prefecture.
To encourage guests to take their time, every shop offers drinks in one of three ways: “two drinks included,” “free refills,” or “served in a pot.”
Another highlight, true to the spirit of afternoon tea, is the elegant presentation on tiers stacked two or more high. The carefully devised menus and presentations differ completely from shop to shop, letting guests enjoy each establishment’s individuality with their eyes and taste buds.
Image courtesy of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee
About Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Summer 2026
The 25th Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, held in summer 2026, has a record 34 participating shops.
The event period and other details are as follows.
| Event period | July 1–September 30, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Number of participating shops | 34 |
| Price (tax included) | ¥2,500–¥6,000 |
Reservations are required, except for the Petit Afternoon Tea at MOMOKO TERRACE (Kurashiki Momoko Civic Hall shop).
▼See the list of participating shops below.
- Candle Taku Watanabe-tei
- Kurashiki Royal Art Hotel Restaurant “Hachiman-gura”
- Kurashiki Momoko Main Store
- MOMOKO TERRACE
- The Kamon
- Kurashiki Jikabaisen Coffee kobacoffee
- Koeido Kurashiki Ondori Shop
- Yumiko Igarashi Museum Cafe Princess
- 774
- atelier & salon Hashimaya
- Pomelo
- Cafe Cascade
- Takenoya Bettei
- cafe “Niwa to Bungaku”
- All Cafe × Tanita Cafe Achi Terrace Kurashiki
- Kurashiki cafe tito
- Maru5deli Sun Station Kurashiki Shop
- Sumica.
- Kurashiki Sabo Ouka
- EYOHAKU
- Restaurant Felicion
- LUCIAS
- 72cafe
- Cafe Restaurants Bon voyage
- Kurashiki Seaside Hotel
- Jun Kissa Sun Lemon
- Happy supply cafe spica
- sweets milcrown
- Koji Cafe Dining Eucalyptus
- Tamashima Lunch Stand
- Mark ole Cafe
- Teien Ryokan Bingo-ya
- Dan Y Dwa
- Cafe&Bar FLAGO
The following shops are participating for the first time in Summer 2026.
- Maru5deli Sun Station Kurashiki Shop (Achi, Kurashiki City)
- Kurashiki Sabo Ouka (Sakazu, Kurashiki City)
- sweets milcrown (Higashi-Tokiwa-cho, Mizushima, Kurashiki City)
- Dan Y Dwa (Tsurugata, Kurashiki City)
- Cafe&Bar FLAGO (Minamimachi, Kurashiki City)
In addition to the regular afternoon tea, “Petit Afternoon Tea,” introduced during the Winter 2023 event, will also be available.
“Petit Afternoon Tea” was created in response to customers who said they wanted “a smaller afternoon tea” and “lower prices.” The portions are smaller and include one drink, keeping the price down.
Five shops will offer it in Summer 2026.
- MOMOKO TERRACE
- Kurashiki Jikabaisen Coffee kobacoffee
- Maru5deli Sun Station Kurashiki Shop
- 72cafe
- Happy supply cafe spica
▼Petit Afternoon Tea at Kurashiki Jikabaisen Coffee kobacoffee (¥2,500 per person, tax included)
Image courtesy of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee
▼Petit Afternoon Tea at Maru5deli Sun Station Kurashiki Shop (¥2,500 per person, tax included)
Image courtesy of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee
Also, “Evening-Only Afternoon Tea” was introduced in Summer 2026.
This new offering was created in response to requests from people who wanted to enjoy afternoon tea in the evening, and is served from 6 p.m. The drinks menu includes alcoholic options, and the food is all suited to pairing with drinks.
Two shops offer it.
- Dan Y Dwa
- Cafe&Bar FLAGO
▼Evening-Only Afternoon Tea at Dan Y Dwa (¥5,500 per person, tax included)
Image courtesy of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee
▼Evening-Only Afternoon Tea at Cafe&Bar FLAGO (¥4,000 per person, tax included)
Image courtesy of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee
For details such as participating shops and reservation times, check the official Kurashiki Afternoon Tea website.
The history of Kurashiki Afternoon Tea
The first Kurashiki Afternoon Tea was held in summer 2015 (July 10–September 30). From the following year, 2016, it became a twice-yearly event, held in summer and winter.
At first, nine shops participated, mainly in the Bikan Historical Area, but the event has since expanded across Kurashiki City. A record 34 shops are participating in the 25th event (July 1–September 30, 2026).
Image courtesy of: Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee
Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, which began as an initiative led by the local government, was initially planned to run for three years. However, as the end of its third year approached in 2017, it was so well received that a two-year extension was approved, with people saying, “It would be a shame to stop when interest and popularity are growing.”
Then, in the winter of 2020, its fifth year, government support came to an end.
When many fans learned that the event was at risk of ending, they voiced their support, saying, “We want it to continue!”
Encouraged by those voices, participating businesses also began to feel, “It would be a shame to end it here; let’s keep it going.” So, the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee was newly formed to ensure its continuation.
Morita Miki, who had been involved as a staff member of the Kurashiki Tourism and Convention Bureau when the event launched in 2015, became the committee chair. The other committee members are the following people from businesses participating in Kurashiki Afternoon Tea:
- Candle Taku Watanabe-tei: Inoue Yoshiharu
- Kurashiki Momoko: Kusudo Atsuro
- cafe “Niwa to Bungaku”: Nakahara Shosuke
To launch a website and prepare for the Summer 2020 event, they launched a crowdfunding campaign from March 16 to April 30, 2020.
Along with warm messages such as “I always look forward to taking part” and “I’m cheering you on!”, support steadily poured in. About a month after the crowdfunding campaign began, they reached their target.
I wondered whether anyone would support us…
From READY FOR: “Overcoming the threat of closure, we want to continue Kurashiki Afternoon Tea” — Achievement Report
Although I (or perhaps we?) worried about things like that, we were determined to continue, so we took on crowdfunding.
Once we got started, we found that so many people wanted it to continue. Even though everyone was living in uncertain times, they encouraged us instead…
Ah, I was deeply moved by how warm-hearted the fans of Kurashiki Afternoon Tea are.
Since Summer 2020, the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee has organized Kurashiki Afternoon Tea twice a year.
Image courtesy of: Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee
“Kurashiki Afternoon Tea,” built together with its fans.
We spoke with committee chair Morita Miki and Inoue Yoshiharu, manager of Candle Taku Watanabe-tei, about the journey so far and their hopes for the future.
Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Information
| Name | Kurashiki Afternoon Tea |
|---|---|
| Dates | Summer 2026 event period July 1–September 30, 2026 |
| Location | Kurashiki City |
| Participation fee (tax included) | Price (tax included): ¥2,475–¥6,000 Varies by venue |
| Website | Kurashiki Afternoon Tea |
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