The "Kurashiki Afternoon Tea," which has become a regular sweets event in Kurashiki City. The Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, which uses plenty of fruits from Okayama Prefecture, attracts many participants every year as a unique sweets event in Kurashiki.
I am also one of the fans who is looking forward to thinking, "Which shop should I go to next?"
The Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, which has a strong following among repeat visitors, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024, and as a commemorative event, the "Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea" will be held.
I can't imagine what the themed afternoon tea, which is being held for the first time, will be like.
I interviewed the person in charge about their feelings on reaching the 10th anniversary and the background of the planning for this Halloween Afternoon Tea.
What is the "Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea"?
The Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea is an event planned as a 10th anniversary celebration of the "Kurashiki Afternoon Tea" held every summer and winter.
The Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, which uses plenty of fruits from Okayama Prefecture, attracts many visitors from both inside and outside the city every year. There is a rule that "peaches and grapes must be used in summer, and strawberries in winter," and each shop has prepared its own unique menu every time.
However, this time, the Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea is a bit different.
The only fixed theme is Halloween, and any kind of prefectural fruit can be used. From the common theme of Halloween, each store's individuality shines through in the afternoon tea.
Autumn is a season when many fruits are in season. You can enjoy fruits like persimmons, figs, chestnuts, and pears, which have not appeared in previous Kurashiki Afternoon Teas.
From pop and cute Halloween sweets to realistic and gory treats, the charm lies in being able to enjoy completely different Halloween experiences at each shop.
The event will be held from October 1 (Tuesday) to November 4 (Monday, public holiday) in 2024.
Since it is a limited-time event lasting about a month, those interested should check the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea website.
The Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, which celebrates its memorable 10th anniversary. I spoke with Miki Morita, the chairperson of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee, and Yoshiharu Inoue, the manager of Candle Taku Watanabe-tei, about this event.
Interview with the person in charge
Can you tell us what inspired the Halloween theme?
Morita (no honorifics)
Since the regular Kurashiki Afternoon Tea is held in summer and winter, I thought it would be interesting to hold the 10th anniversary event in spring or autumn.
In the past, while there were specifications for the fruits used in the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, there was no particular theme.
So, I thought it would be fun to tie it in with a seasonal event, and planned an afternoon tea with a Halloween theme. Autumn has many seasonal fruits, and it's a good time for outings, so Halloween was just right.
Other than the theme, there is quite a bit of freedom, with the rules being "at least two Halloween-themed dishes" and "any Okayama Prefecture fruit is acceptable."
I think you will be able to enjoy a Kurashiki Afternoon Tea like never before.
What are the highlights of the Halloween Afternoon Tea?
Morita
You can expect to see Halloween-specific visuals, such as realistic finger cookies and pitch-black afternoon tea. Each shop has its own individuality, so I hope you enjoy choosing where to go.
Also, there will be many menus that are not usually available, so you might see a surprising side of some shops. For example, a hotel with a serious image created a playful and bold menu.
Inoue (no honorifics)
From the shop's perspective, there were voices saying that "having a Halloween theme makes it easier to create."
With Halloween, there are many motifs like ghosts and Dracula, so it might be easier for shops to create menus. Each shop was exploring "how far can we play?" and "how far can we joke?" while creating their offerings.
There are also sweets that look very realistic. I imagined cute things when I heard Halloween.
Morita
Of course, there will be pop and cute afternoon teas, but everyone is quite playful. Some shops have made sweets that look like real eyeballs.
There are also shops that express Halloween just through color, and one shop created an all-black afternoon tea. I learned that there are such creative ideas.
Inoue
The black color in the dishes and sweets is likely made using bamboo charcoal. When the website displays a row of photos, the pitch-black afternoon tea will definitely catch the eye.
Morita
It might also be a new challenge for the shops. Even though the theme is the same, each shop is completely different, which is interesting.
Since it's the 10th anniversary, will there be any special benefits?
Morita
Customers who come to the Halloween Afternoon Tea will receive a special sticker.
This will be available until supplies run out, so those interested should come early.
Please share your feelings about reaching the 10th anniversary.
Morita
The Kurashiki Afternoon Tea started in 2014 and was originally an event organized by the government. After that, in 2019, it became operated by the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea Executive Committee, and now it is entering its 10th year in 2024.
I have been involved since its inception in 2014, but I honestly never thought it would last for 10 years, so I don't really feel it. When it comes to private management, we have to secure funding and think of ways to keep it interesting. There have been many challenges and failures.
However, I believe we have been able to continue this far because the operational members, including Inoue, have been experimenting and because the shops have followed our policies.
The Halloween Afternoon Tea is a first-time attempt, and I feel pressure, but I want to enjoy it along with the customers and the shops.
Inoue
Every time we hold the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, we have had many discussions within the organization and have gone through trial and error. There are times when we argue fiercely, but that is all for the sake of making the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea better. There have been failures, but we have built a lot over these 10 years.
Since I am also a participating shop, I can provide opinions from the shop's perspective, and Morita can provide opinions from the customer's perspective, so I think we are able to manage it with a good balance.
The fact that the afternoon tea has continued for 10 years is thanks to the shops. I hope that this Halloween Afternoon Tea can give back to the shops in some way.
Please give a message to the readers.
Morita
Since this afternoon tea can only be enjoyed during the Halloween season, I hope you will come and experience the playful spirit that is different from the usual Kurashiki Afternoon Tea.
Some shops may offer menus that completely change their usual image, so please enjoy those differences as well.
Inoue
There are voices from the shops saying, "We want to do this again next year," so if many people come this time, the Halloween Afternoon Tea may become a regular event. We look forward to your visit.
Conclusion
I have been to the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea several times in the past.
Depending on the season, the visual impression of the afternoon tea is completely different; in winter, the warm red of strawberries is memorable, while in summer, the afternoon tea with grapes and peaches feels refreshing.
However, this time's Halloween Afternoon Tea featured unique sweets with colors and flavors that I had never imagined before. There are many menus that make you think, "What on earth is this?" and just looking at them is entertaining.
I think it will be a delicious and fun event perfect for autumn, overflowing with the playful spirit unique to Halloween.
The first-ever Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea. If you want to feel the arrival of autumn through taste, please come and visit.
Data for Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea
| Name | Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea |
|---|---|
| Date | The event will be held from Tuesday, October 1, 2024, to Monday, November 4, 2024 (public holiday) |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Varies by store |
| Website | Kurashiki Afternoon Tea |
