On Sunday, December 15, 2024, the regular event “Takahashi River Basin Kurashiki Sansai Market” held in the shopping arcade in front of JR Kurashiki Station was bustling enough to blow away the cold.
This morning market is held on the third Sunday of every month from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. At the December event, around 80 vendors from inside and outside Kurashiki City set up stalls. Curious about the atmosphere among the stalls lined with exceptional products showcasing local charms, I went to cover the event.
The information provided is accurate as of when this article was published in February 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
The origins of “Kurashiki Sansai Market,” steeped in history and tradition
Kurashiki flourished during the Edo period as a tenryo, a territory under the direct control of the shogunate.
Named after the “Sansai Market” and “Rokusai Market” that were held regularly at the time, the “Kurashiki Sansai Market” began in March 2005.
It was later revamped in April 2016 to further showcase the charms of the seven cities and three towns in the Takahashi River Basin. It has become a monthly tradition.
As winter winds blew through the venue, an announcer’s lively voice rang out. From the moment I stepped inside, the place was filled with an energy that warmed the heart.
At the venue, about a three-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station, older visitors and tourists began arriving one after another early in the morning.
“Kuramoni,” the official character inspired by Kurashiki’s white walls
Along with the morning chill, the warmth of the sun gently spread to everyone visiting the event.
The official character “Kuramoni” also appeared at the “Kurashiki Sansai Market”! Its adorable design features Kurashiki’s white walls on its hat and pants, and the wisteria, Kurashiki City’s flower, on its hair ornament and tail.
Since it was December, Kuramoni also dressed as Santa Claus to liven up the venue, entertaining visitors with its signature dance.
A wealth of attractions! Exceptional products you can only taste here
This year’s “Kurashiki Sansai Market” featured a lavish lineup befitting the end of the year.
Local specialty: Tsurajima Lotus Root
Tsurajima Lotus Root began to be cultivated on the clay-rich land as reclamation progressed during the Edo period.
Rich in dietary fiber and vitamins, it is a healthy seasonal winter vegetable. Lotus root, an essential ingredient in osechi New Year’s dishes, is available in generous quantities at affordable prices.
As you hope for a bright outlook for the coming year through the holes in the lotus root, you might like to add some to a New Year’s dish.
A long-established Niimi City shop’s Chiyagyu Beef steak bites on a skewer
The juicy steak skewers served by this renowned shop, which has been in business for 80 years, fill your mouth with rich flavor from the very first bite.
Fruit in sizes you won’t find at the supermarket
A fruit vendor came all the way from Bizen at 4 a.m. to bring these astonishingly large fruits.
- 4L apples with a crisp bite and sweet nectar
- Giant seedless persimmons with soft flesh
- Smooth, golden Nijisseiki pears
These fruits are impressive even just to look at.
Chirimen and Ibuki iriko from the Seto Inland Sea
The selection includes exceptional products packed with local seafood, sure to delight anyone who loves cooking.
Sales by students in the commerce program at Kurashiki High School
The students sold handmade mochi and dango. Their youthful energy brought smiles to the local community.
Watching them gain hands-on experience in business gives us a sense of the region’s future.
The excitement heats up even more with a spectacular event!
The “Kuramoni Santa Claus Christmas Grand Raffle” was a huge success as a major event that captured the hearts of visitors.
The lavish prizes given away by volunteers from the Kurashiki Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division included admission tickets to the Ohara Museum of Art, drawing cheers and smiles from the crowd.
The raffle added even more color to the lively morning market, leaving visitors with special memories.
There were also tourists visiting from Taiwan, enjoying the lively atmosphere reminiscent of a Taiwanese night market while holding freshly harvested oysters. Their smiles showed how much they enjoyed this special experience in a foreign land.
From the Writer
The “Takahashi River Basin Kurashiki Sansai Market” was a special morning market filled with such energy and excitement that you could forget the winter cold. Carrying on a tradition dating back to the Edo period, it brings together local residents and tourists to enjoy the region’s charms to the fullest.
In this warm atmosphere, I was able to experience Kurashiki’s culture and the warmth of its people.
The next “Kurashiki Sansai Market” will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Local specialties and delicious food will be on offer, and you’re sure to have a wonderful time. Be sure to visit the next morning market and experience Kurashiki’s charms for yourself.
And for anyone considering setting up a stall, the organizing committee will carefully and clearly explain the simple application process, so please feel free to get in touch. Let’s share Kurashiki’s charms together.
Takahashi River Basin Kurashiki Sansai Market Information
| Name | Takahashi River Basin Kurashiki Sansai Market |
|---|---|
| Held | Third Sunday of every month |
| Location | 2-11-13 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture / Kurashiki Ekimae Shopping Street and surrounding area |
| Website | Takahashi River Basin Kurashiki Sansai Market |
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