As we get older, don’t we tend to have fewer opportunities to discover new worlds and meet new people?
A little change from the usual might make everyday life more enjoyable. On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the “Meabae Marche,” bringing together distinctive shops, will be held at Ikashino-sha in Hayashima Town.
At this marche, which values encounters and connections, you may discover a new world or meet new people. We spoke with Torigoe Yoshimi, a member of the organizing committee, about what makes it special.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in December 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Meabae Marche: Valuing Encounters and Connections
Meabae Marche was launched in August 2024.
It began when Torigoe, a member of the organizing committee, wanted to support a gemstone accessory artisan she happened to meet.
The artisan had taken part in a marche and apparently wanted to exhibit more. Torigoe thought, “Let’s create a place where more people can learn about this person and where they can pursue their work.”
Although this was Torigoe’s first time organizing a marche, she enjoys taking on new challenges. Started on a whim and with enthusiasm, Meabae Marche has been held every three months since August 2024.
The concept behind Meabae Marche is to encourage each vendor to pursue what they want to do. “It’s fine if it’s your first challenge, or you can build on what you’ve done so far and take it further. I hope this can be a starting point that leads to what comes next,” says Torigoe.
Meabae Marche started with eight shops and has grown to include 23 vendors at its sixth event. Vendors introduced people they knew, and the number kept growing.
Vendors at the Sixth Marche
The vendors at the sixth Meabae Marche, to be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, are listed below.
Here are five of the vendors.
lindra
This shop runs a salon in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, offering mugwort steam treatments and dry head spas.
At Meabae Marche, it will offer dry head spas. By gently touching the head, it eases daily tension and relaxes the mind, too. In the midst of busy days, it’s important to take time to unwind and care for your body.
Rice Flour Sweets Tsukihana
This is a shop without a storefront, run by a registered dietitian.
Using rice flour from Okayama Prefecture, beet sugar, and hon mirin, it makes sweets with ingredients that are gentle on the body.
Rock Salt and Japanese Essential Oils nico
Based in Okayama City, this shop sells rock salt for cooking, bath salts, and good-luck charms, as well as Japanese essential oils. It also holds workshops.
The essential oils are distilled using domestic ingredients such as yuzu and kuromoji. Bringing fragrance into your home could make everyday life richer.
cocowa naturals
This shop makes handmade soap from natural ingredients.
Because it uses plant-based, natural ingredients as much as possible, it is said to be gentle on people and the environment. These safe, reliable soaps contain no synthetic colorants, fragrances, or preservatives.
Hyon
From “Hyon,” a Type B continuous employment support facility in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, they will sell amazake, soft drinks, and miscellaneous goods as delicious and fragrant items themed around fermentation.
Amazake is perfect for this chilly season. Drink this healthy fermented food and feel energized.
Interview with the Meabae Marche Organizing Committee
At Meabae Marche, each person’s ideas take root, creating opportunities to encounter a new side of yourself and form new connections.
We asked Torigoe Yoshimi of the Meabae Marche Organizing Committee what visitors can look forward to.
What makes Meabae Marche unique?
Torigoe (surname only)
Everyone has their own personality, and I think they offer services and know-how that have helped change their own values and way of life. Some of the fields are quite niche, too. I think coming to Meabae Marche can be a chance to encounter an unfamiliar world.
It’s fun because shops from all kinds of fields come together, and even if something is unfamiliar, the marche makes it easy to stop by and learn about it. A new world broadens your horizons, doesn’t it? I’d be happy if this could become a place like that.
We also value “circulation” at Meabae Marche. New vendors come along, and existing vendors support them. It’s also nice to visit as a customer once in a while. I want this to be a marche where a different breeze blows each time.
Some of the fields are quite niche, and may be things people have never seen before.
Torigoe
That’s right. If you visit every participating shop, you might be able to solve all the problems you’re dealing with. There’s that much variety.
The vendors don’t see the marche as merely a place to buy and sell. They work in a wide range of fields, but what they have in common is that they exhibit because they want the customers in front of them to feel better.
How would you like to develop Meabae Marche in the future?
Torigoe
It might be nice for the vendors to connect with one another and take on something new together. People have told us they’re happy that Meabae Marche has helped them build connections with others.
I’d also be happy if it could become a place for new encounters for visitors. For example, I hope people who have something they want to do but haven’t been able to take the first step and are still feeling stuck will take a look at the vendors. It would be great if seeing people making their dreams a reality inspired them to think, “I’ll give it a try too!”
From the Writer
The writer often thinks, “I want to do something!” but struggles to get moving, and ends up giving up without doing it. Torigoe, who runs Meabae Marche, and the vendors who exhibit there are putting their ideas into action. As I listened to Torigoe, I felt both admiration and a growing desire to visit.
The participating shops are all unique.
When you visit, you’re sure to discover a world you didn’t know about. December 9 is the final Meabae Marche of 2025. Be sure to stop by.
Meabae Marche Information
| Name | Meabae Marche |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
| Location | 1466 Hayashima, Hayashima Town, Tsukubo District, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Meabae Marche Instagram |
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