The "Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring," which can be enjoyed at 12 restaurants in Kurashiki City, is being held from April 1 to June 30, 2023.
After a pre-event lasting about two weeks in January 2023, it has finally started in earnest.
It is planned to be held twice a year in the future.
As a sister event to the "Kurashiki Afternoon Tea," which is also held twice a year, the Kurashiki High Tea is likely to become a staple event in Kurashiki.
What kind of event is the Kurashiki High Tea? And what are the future prospects?
We spoke with Shinya Fujiwara, the chairman of the Kurashiki High Tea Executive Committee.
Enjoying the Night Kurashiki with Delicious Cuisine at Kurashiki High Tea
The Kurashiki High Tea is a night version of the afternoon tea, which originated in England, called "Evening High Tea," arranged in a Kurashiki style.
What is "High Tea"?
"Afternoon tea" originally started as a custom among the British aristocracy.
Over time, as sweets and tea became more accessible to the general public, it is said that the culture of high tea spread as a luxurious meal rather than just a snack.
In high tea, dishes from appetizers to main courses and desserts are lavishly arranged on stands with two or more tiers.
The use of stands for presentation is also familiar in afternoon tea.
While afternoon tea is associated with sweets and light snacks along with tea, high tea is a meal, so it can be enjoyed with alcohol, which is a unique pleasure of the night.
Features of Kurashiki High Tea
Let's take a look at the features of the Kurashiki High Tea, an event arranged in a Kurashiki style.
The menu uses locally sourced fruits and ingredients from Kurashiki and Okayama.
Each restaurant offers a variety of dishes using Okayama-grown tomatoes, strawberries, yellow garlic, fresh seafood from Setouchi, Okayama forest chicken, and Bisei pork, all presented beautifully.
It seems that each restaurant often changes the menu depending on the event period, so the fruits and ingredients available will likely vary with the seasons, which is exciting.
A drink is included, and alcohol is also allowed.
One of the major attractions of the Kurashiki High Tea is the ability to enjoy menus that pair well with alcohol.
Participating stores include unique restaurants and bars in Kurashiki City.
The atmosphere of Kurashiki at night is different from during the day.
This event is designed with the hope that guests will fully enjoy the atmosphere of the night streets of Kurashiki and each store.
Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring Finally Starts!
After completing the pre-event from January 16 to January 31, 2023, the Kurashiki High Tea has finally started in earnest.
Here is an overview and participating stores for Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring.
Overview of Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring
The period for Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring is from April 1 to June 30.
It is also planned to be held as "2023 Autumn" from October to December, aiming for twice a year in spring and autumn from 2024 onwards.
During Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring, a photo contest will also be held (from April 1 to July 5, 2023).
You can participate by posting on Instagram with the hashtags "#KurashikiHighTea" and "#KurashikiHighTeaPhotoContest2023."
Winners will receive a "meal gift certificate" as a prize.
Since the menus are visually stunning, be sure to capture memories in photos.
For more details about Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring, please visit the official website of Kurashiki High Tea.
12 Participating Stores in Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring
In Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring, 12 restaurants and bars in Kurashiki City are participating.
- All Cafe x Tanita Cafe Achi Terrace Kurashiki 'OWL x TANITA High Tea' First Participation
- 72cafe '72cafe's High Tea'
- Restaurant Felicion 'Strawberry Queen Royal High Tea'
- Curry and Coffee Shop 774 'Kyo'
- Kurashiki International Hotel Bar Regina 'Kurashiki International Hotel Bar Regina's High Tea' Available for 1 person
- CUORE Kurashiki 'CUORE's High Tea'
- Garden Uguisu 'Garden Uguisu High Tea'
- Salon de Tonerico 'Florist's High Tea' Available for 1 person
- .KOMBINAT '.KOMBINAT High Tea'
- Dining & Bar Danaduwa 'Spanish High Tea'
- Takenoya Bettei 'Takenoya Garden High Tea'
- Kikimeshi Yokocho 'Kikimeshi Festival High Tea'
Most places require a minimum order of two people (Salon de Tonerico and Kurashiki International Hotel Bar Regina can be used by one person).
For all stores, reservations are required when ordering high tea.
Some stores offer an all-you-can-drink option for an additional fee.
For details on the menu and business hours, please visit the official website of Kurashiki High Tea.
We Spoke About Kurashiki High Tea
The "Kurashiki High Tea," a sister event to the "Kurashiki Afternoon Tea," shares the concept of promoting Kurashiki's food culture through restaurants, but the executive committee that operates the event is different.
Shinya Fujiwara, the chairman of the Kurashiki High Tea Executive Committee (General Manager of the Restaurant Division at Ishodo Co., Ltd.), shared his thoughts on the reactions to the pre-event held in January 2023, expectations for Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring, and future prospects.
Why did you start Kurashiki High Tea?
Fujiwara (no honorifics)
I thought it would be great to have an event originating from restaurants with visually stunning menus that would encourage alcohol consumption at night.
There hasn't been much in the way of established night events where you can enjoy Kurashiki's restaurants.
In recent years, there have been impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The daytime event, Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, has been well received and is becoming established, so we started it in a way that arranges that event.
I think it might be time for the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea itself to have some changes rather than just continuing as it is.
Not only will the number of participating stores increase, but I believe that news of new derivative events like this will make it more beloved.
Since high tea is at night, I would be happy if people could stay in Kurashiki for tourism.
Both the Bikan Historical Area and the area around the station have their own charm at night and during the day.
I want to promote not just dining but also accommodation.
How would you like people to enjoy Kurashiki High Tea?
Fujiwara
First of all, the visual aspect of high tea is important.
It is gorgeous and luxurious, so I believe guests can enjoy the atmosphere along with the unique space of each store.
I hope they have a happy time with delicious menus and create memorable experiences of Kurashiki's night.
This event is designed to be enjoyable for people of all ages.
While most reservations are made by women, many also bring men since it is at night.
The menus are all special, making it a great option for celebrations.
What was the feedback from the pre-event held in January?
Fujiwara
From the participating stores, I received many comments that different types of customers than usual came to visit.
For example, at a bar with an adult atmosphere, there were comments like, "Usually, the age group of customers is older, but we had younger people come in," and at a restaurant in an alley, "We had women who had never known about the shop come in."
It seems to have become an opportunity for people to learn about the shops.
Additionally, it was difficult for restaurants that operate at night to participate in Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, so there were voices saying, "It was a good opportunity and I enjoyed it."
The menu photos were taken by the same photographer as for Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, ensuring a consistent taste.
Each shop can post those photos on social media or use them for shop promotion, which is a nice point for the participating shops.
The pre-event period was short, about two weeks, and there were parts that were not well prepared, but it was utilized more than expected.
Since it was promoted as a sister project to "Kurashiki Afternoon Tea," I think that had an effect as well.
The executive committee is working on details of each shop's menu, store information, and editing and confirming the official website.
Since we have the know-how from managing Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, it is smoother than if someone doing it for the first time were to handle it, even though there is a lot to do.
If we hadn't been doing Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, we wouldn't have been able to hold Kurashiki High Tea.
Please tell us about future prospects.
Fujiwara
The event period for Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring is from April 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023.
However, from July to September, there will be Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, and from October to December, there will be Kurashiki High Tea, followed by Kurashiki Afternoon Tea from January to March of the following year, so we are preparing to hold them regularly every year along with Kurashiki Afternoon Tea.
Since this is still a newly started event, I think we need to promote it through flyers and other means so that more people can learn about it.
This time, 12 shops are participating, but in the future, we would like to increase the number of participating shops and expand the enjoyment of choosing shops.
Just like Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, I hope that Kurashiki High Tea will also become a long-loved project.
I believe that many more people will come to Kurashiki in the future.
We aim to further energize the event and establish it as a new way to enjoy the nights in Kurashiki.
Conclusion
I also used the high tea at Salon de Tonerico during the pre-event period.
I will never forget the delicious menu adorned with colorful flowers in a space decorated with petals.
I thought I would like to use it for lunch next time.
It's also fun to see the number of favorite shops increasing like this.
I don't know if the menu introduced this time for Spring 2023 will still be available in the future.
Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring is a limited-time event until June 30. Please make a reservation and visit before then.
Data on Kurashiki High Tea
| Name | Kurashiki High Tea |
|---|---|
| Event Dates | Kurashiki High Tea 2023 Spring is from April 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023 |
| Location | Within Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Price (including tax) 3,500 yen to 9,900 yen Varies by shop |
| Website | Kurashiki High Tea |
