The initiator of Kurashiki's first Christmas market is cabin attendant Ichikawa Namiko.
Ms. Ichikawa is currently seconded to the Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau from All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.
We spoke with Ms. Ichikawa and event manager Maeoka Michinobu about Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023.
About the initiator, Ichikawa Namiko
Since when have you been seconded to Kurashiki?
Ichikawa
I have been seconded to Kurashiki since July 2022.
I was based in Tokyo, flying domestically and internationally as a cabin attendant, but about a year and a half after starting my job, flights were reduced due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the number of flights decreased, staff began to be seconded to various regions across Japan for regional revitalization.
The types of positions at the private companies they were sent to are diverse.
There are also several administrative jobs like regional revitalization projects, and among them, I thought, I really want to go to Kurashiki.
I visited Kurashiki with my family when I was young, but I hardly remember it, and I only have the impression that "there is a historical townscape," so for me, Kurashiki was almost a new place.
Going to a town I knew nothing about and the excitement of being able to challenge myself with something I had never experienced before became the reason I volunteered to be seconded to Kurashiki.
When I moved, I had no acquaintances or friends, but I personally love eating and talking with various people, so I visited various shops in Kurashiki.
The people from Kurashiki I met at the shops value history and culture, and many of them seemed to have a strong desire for "I wish Kurashiki would become more lively."
The birth of Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 was influenced by an outside perspective
When did the idea for Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 come about?
Ichikawa
It was probably in the autumn of last year (2022).
The moment I saw the Metasequoia tree at Kurashiki Ivy Square, I thought, "What a magnificent tree. It would be wonderful if it were a Christmas tree."
At first, I jokingly said, "It would be nice to have illuminations on the Metasequoia in winter," and many people agreed with me.
So I started to seriously think about making it happen.
On the other hand, the location of the Metasequoia tree is somewhat tucked away, so it seems that many locals are unaware of its existence.
When I take visitors to Kurashiki to see the Metasequoia, everyone is amazed and says, "Wow!"
I thought it would be great if the locals could also know about such an impressive sight, which became the impetus for holding Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023.
The illumination of the Metasequoia tree costs a huge amount, so I had to give up on that due to budget constraints, but we will use a mirror ball to create a light display.
The Bikan Historical Area has old buildings that make you feel like you've traveled back in time.
There are Western-style buildings like Kurashiki Ivy Square amidst the Japanese atmosphere.
I have visited various places in Japan for work and travel, but this townscape, where Japanese and Western styles are fused, is very rare, and I fell in love with it at first sight.
An event that is all new
Ichikawa
I have only been working at the Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau for about a year and a half, but I have experienced a wide variety of tasks.
After summer, the number of tourists increases, so there have been many opportunities for event exhibitions and business trips, and every day has been quite busy.
Moreover, since the budget cannot be allocated to things that are not determined, even if there are ideas, it is a high hurdle to realize them.
Time and budget were all sources of anxiety.
Furthermore, I had never done any administrative work before, so I struggled with creating documents and proposals.
I had no idea how to write them.
I tried to create the documents, but after about five revisions, I finally had something that could be shown to Mr. Maeoka.
When I communicated the plan to my boss, I started by explaining, "What is a Christmas market in the first place?"
Maeoka
Ms. Ichikawa provides a lot of ideas from an outsider's perspective about what Kurashiki lacks or what could be improved.
That is innovative and makes us aware of things we might not notice.
When I received the proposal for Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023, I felt it was very attractive, so I thought I would support it.
It is different from the work of All Nippon Airways, and especially the administrative procedures are often unclear, so I will help as much as I can in that area.
I want Ms. Ichikawa to focus on communication with the shops and planning, utilizing her strengths.
Not just me, but everyone around feels, "This is a good project, so let's support it."
We all want to make it a success.
Until now, the Kurashiki Tourism Convention Bureau had not held any Christmas events.
Christmas markets are not common in Okayama, and that idea had not occurred to us.
In December, there were no tourism events, and we were busy preparing for another event coming up after the New Year, so Ms. Ichikawa made us aware of various things.
Was it difficult to gather shops in about a year and a half after coming to Kurashiki?
Ichikawa
I was really anxious about whether the shops would gather.
It's a busy time in December, and since it's the first event, I was worried that some shops might find it difficult to participate.
However, I am filled with gratitude that many shops have kindly agreed to participate.
Many of the shops that gathered are ones I have connections with through work or have visited personally.
With the support of those around me, we are preparing for the event with everyone's help.
Thoughts on Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023
What kind of experience do you want visitors to have on the event day?
Ichikawa
I would be happy if everyone could gather in one venue, enjoy delicious food and drinks together, and feel the arrival of Christmas in Kurashiki.
And if this event can take root in Kurashiki for many years to come, I will truly feel that it was worth the challenge.
I would be delighted if more people, both from within and outside Okayama Prefecture, could understand the charm and potential of Kurashiki, and if more people could say, "When it comes to Christmas, it's Kurashiki."
Conclusion
As a writer from Kurashiki, I was aware of the existence of Christmas markets, but I had never thought of holding one in Kurashiki.
Ms. Ichikawa, who said that the Christmas market fits perfectly with the atmosphere of Kurashiki, has a unique perspective from the outside.
I thought it was a great idea.
Through the interview, I also felt the charm of Ms. Ichikawa, who was able to plan an event and gather shops in such a short period of a year and a half.
The entirely new Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 is moving towards the event with everyone's cooperation and passionate feelings.
I hope that the event will continue next year and the year after, becoming a staple event in Kurashiki.
How about experiencing Christmas at Kurashiki's first Christmas market, Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023, on December 15 (Friday) and 16 (Saturday) this year?
Articles about Kurashiki Christmas Market
Data for Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023
| Name | Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 |
|---|---|
| Date | December 15 (Friday) and 16 (Saturday), 2023 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:30 PM) |
| Location | 7-2 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Kurashiki Christmas Market 2023 |
