As we age, opportunities to learn about new worlds and meet new people tend to decrease, don't they?
With a little different stimulation than usual, daily life might become more enjoyable. On December 9, 2025 (Tuesday), a unique market called Mebae Marche will be held at "Ikashinosha" in Hayashima Town.
At this market, which values encounters and connections, you may meet new worlds and people. We spoke with Yoshimi Torigoe, a member of the organizing committee of Mebae Marche, about its attractions.
Mebae Marche: Valuing Encounters and Connections
Mebae Marche was born in August 2024.
The trigger was Yoshimi Torigoe, a member of the organizing committee, wanting to support a natural stone accessory craftsman she happened to meet.
That person participated in a market and wanted to have more stalls. "I thought, 'I want more people to know about this person and create a place where they can be active,'" said Torigoe.
It was Torigoe's first time managing a market, but she enjoys taking on new challenges. The Mebae Marche, which started with momentum and enthusiasm, has been held every three months since August 2024.
The important concept of Mebae Marche is to support each exhibitor's desire to do what they want. "It's okay to try something for the first time, or to further brush up on what you've been doing so far. I hope it can be a starting point that leads to the next step," Torigoe said.
Starting with 8 stores, Mebae Marche has grown to include 23 stores participating in the 6th edition. Exhibitors introduced their acquaintances, and it kept growing.
Exhibitors of the 6th Edition
The exhibitors for the 6th Mebae Marche, which will be held on December 9, 2025 (Tuesday), are as follows.
Here are five selected exhibitors.
lindra
This store operates a salon in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, offering mugwort steaming and dry head spa services.
At Mebae Marche, they will provide dry head spa services. By gently touching the head, it relieves daily tension and relaxes the mind. It's important to take time to relax and care for your body amidst busy days.
Rice Flour Sweets Tsukihana
This is a sweets shop run by a registered dietitian, without a physical store.
Using rice flour and beet sugar from Okayama Prefecture, as well as hon-mirin, they make sweets with body-friendly ingredients.
Rock Salt and Japanese Essential Oils nico
This store sells rock salt for culinary use, bath salts, and protective charms in Okayama City, and also conducts workshops.
The essential oils are distilled using domestic ingredients such as yuzu and kuromoji. Incorporating fragrance into daily life can enrich everyday experiences.
cocowa naturals
This store specializes in handmade soaps made from natural materials.
They use natural materials derived from plants as much as possible, making them gentle for both people and the environment. The soaps are safe and secure, free from synthetic colorants, fragrances, and preservatives.
Hyon
From the Hyon Employment Continuation Support Type B Office located in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, they will sell fermented products, delicious items, and fragrant goods such as amazake, soft drinks, and miscellaneous goods.
Amazake is perfect for this cold season. Let's drink healthy fermented foods to boost our energy.
Interview with the Mebae Marche Organizing Committee
At Mebae Marche, each individual experiences a budding of new encounters and connections with themselves.
We asked Yoshimi Torigoe from the Mebae Marche Organizing Committee about the highlights.
What are the features of Mebae Marche?
Torigoe (no honorifics)
Everyone has their own individuality, and they likely provide services and know-how that can change their values and ways of living. There are also some niche areas. I believe that coming to Mebae Marche can be an opportunity to touch on unknown worlds.
Since various genres of stores gather, it’s fun, and even in unknown worlds, I think people can casually visit through the market and get to know them. New worlds broaden our perspectives, right? I would be happy if it became such a place.
Mebae Marche also values "circulation." New exhibitors come in, and existing ones support the new exhibitors. It’s also good to visit as a customer sometimes. I want to create a market where different winds blow each time.
There are also some niche areas that you might see for the first time.
Torigoe
That's right. If you visit all the participating stores, you might be able to solve all the problems you have. There are so many different genres.
Exhibitors do not see the market as just a place for buying and selling. Although the genres are diverse, what they have in common is that they want the customers in front of them to be better and exhibit for that reason.
How would you like to develop Mebae Marche in the future?
Torigoe
It might be good for exhibitors to connect with each other and take on something new together. People are happy that they have been able to create horizontal connections through Mebae Marche.
For customers, I would be glad if it could become a place for new encounters. For example, for those who have something they want to do but are struggling to take the first step, I hope they can look at the exhibitors. It would be great if seeing people who are realizing their dreams inspires them to think, "I want to try it too!"
Conclusion
As the author, I often find myself thinking "I want to do something!" but struggle to get started, and end up not doing it at all. Torigoe, who is in charge of Mebae Marche, and the exhibitors there are executing their ideas. Listening to Torigoe's story, I felt both respect and a growing desire to participate.
The exhibitors are all unique.
Visiting will surely allow you to encounter a world you didn't know. December 9 is the last Mebae Marche of 2025. Please make sure to visit.
Mebae Marche Data
| Name | Mebae Marche |
|---|---|
| Date | December 9, 2025 (Tuesday) from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM |
| Location | 1466 Hayashima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Mebae Marche Instagram |
