It's the cold season, and don't you want to eat something warm?
The author particularly loves noodle dishes and has an irresistible craving for warm noodle dishes like ramen and udon.
An event called Mentabi is currently being held, perfect for those who want to eat warm noodle dishes and love noodles.
“Mentabi” is a stamp rally event where you can taste noodle dishes from 7 cities and 3 towns in the Takahashi River basin.
This article introduces how to participate in the event, how to enjoy it, and the thoughts of the person in charge from the Kurashiki City Tourism Division who planned the event.
Overview of the Mentabi Event
“Mentabi” is a digital stamp rally event where you can visit noodle restaurants in the 7 cities and 3 towns of the Takahashi River basin and collect stamps.
By dining at participating restaurants and scanning the QR codes set up inside, anyone can easily participate.
The event details for “Mentabi” are as follows.
| Event Period | December 5, 2025 (Friday) - March 8, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Event Area | 7 cities and 3 towns in the Takahashi River basin (Kurashiki City, Niimi City, Takahashi City, Soja City, Hayashima Town, Yakage Town, Ibara City, Asakuchi City, Satosho Town, Kasaoka City) |
| Number of Participating Restaurants | 31 restaurants in total |
You can check the participating restaurants on the map below or on the “Mentabi” special website.
The Takahashi River Basin: A Noodle Paradise
The background of this event being themed around “noodles” lies in the unique food culture of the Takahashi River basin.
The Takahashi River basin has a warm climate and fertile soil, making it suitable for wheat cultivation since ancient times.
Additionally, it has been blessed with high-quality salt produced in the Seto Inland Sea and pure water, which is said to have led to the development of the noodle-making industry and the establishment of a noodle culture.
As a result, unique noodle dishes have emerged in each region, such as “Bukkake udon,” which is said to have originated in Kurashiki City, “Kasaoka ramen” made with chicken bones, “W soba-yaki” from Ibara City, and “Indian tomato yakisoba” from Takahashi City.
“Mentabi” is an event where you can once again savor and learn about the noodle culture unique to the Takahashi River basin.
How to Participate in the Stamp Rally
By dining at participating restaurants and scanning the “Mentabi” dedicated QR code set up inside, you can earn stamps.
To participate in the stamp rally, you need to register for the official Kurashiki City Tourism LINE account “Kurashiki Fan Club.”
You can only earn one stamp per city or town. This is because the Kurashiki City Tourism Division hopes that participants will not just finish in one city or town but will explore the entire Takahashi River basin.
The system is designed so that by visiting different areas, you can increase the number of stamps. Even if you cannot earn stamps, your visit record will remain, allowing you to look back later or aim to complete all participating restaurants.
Prizes: Local Specialties from the Takahashi River Basin
Depending on the number of stamps collected, you can win local specialties related to the Takahashi River basin through a lottery.
The application deadline for prizes is March 10, 2026 (Tuesday).
Kurashiki Shichimi is a special item served in Bizen ware bowls handmade by artisans.
Additionally, there are prizes filled with local charm, such as millet noodles produced by a noodle shop in Kasaoka City and “Bachi Senbei,” which utilizes the ends of somen noodles.
Through noodles, you can encounter not only food but also the culture and specialties unique to the Takahashi River basin, which is one of the unique pleasures of “Mentabi.”
The Author Also Participated in “Mentabi”
I also visited the participating restaurant “Kigakuen” in Kurashiki City.
I ordered a nostalgic soy sauce ramen.
Since it was a cold day, the warm soup seeped into my body, and it was a comforting bowl.
The method for obtaining stamps is very simple.
On the table, there is a triangular pop-up with a printed QR code, and you just need to scan it with your smartphone.
The stamp rally screen is displayed on LINE, allowing you to earn stamps without any confusion.
I felt that the ease of participation without any special operations was also appealing.
Interview with the Person in Charge of the Kurashiki City Tourism Division
I spoke with Asako Inomata from the Kurashiki City Tourism Division, who is organizing “Mentabi.”
Why did you choose “noodles” as the theme?
Inomata (no honorifics)
We have been holding the “Antabi” (a stamp rally event for sweet bean paste desserts) for three years until 2024, but I wanted to change the theme as a milestone.
Rather than continuing the same thing, I wanted to unearth the food charm common to the entire Takahashi River basin.
Through my research, I found that the Takahashi River basin has a deep-rooted noodle culture since ancient times. I thought “noodles” would be the best way to convey the rich characteristics unique to the Takahashi River basin.
Were there any particular points of emphasis in selecting participating restaurants?
Inomata
We consulted with each city and town in the basin from the Kurashiki City Tourism Division, conducted recruitment and outreach, and selected from among them.
What I particularly focused on during the selection was the balance of regions and the balance of noodle types.
I made sure that the areas and types of noodle dishes were not biased, intentionally selecting a diverse range of genres such as udon, soba, ramen, pasta, and yakisoba to enjoy.
What kind of experience do you want participants to have?
Inomata
I hope it serves as an opportunity to enjoy the varied noodle dishes unique to the Takahashi River basin.
I would like participants to enjoy flavors that can only be found in specific locations, such as "Chiyagyu Ramen" from Niimi City, "Wasan Soba Yaki" from Ibara City, and "Indian Tomato Yakisoba" from Takahashi City.
Additionally, since "Mentabi" is a digital stamp rally, you can not only collect stamps but also record the restaurants you visit.
I hope participants can enjoy creating their own food exploration records.
What kind of people do you want to participate?
Inomata
First, I would like local residents living in the Takahashi River basin area to participate.
Even noodle dishes from neighboring towns may have surprisingly unknown famous shops and cultures, so I believe there will be new discoveries.
Of course, I also hope that people from within Okayama Prefecture and from outside the prefecture will feel free to join.
Noodles are a beloved food for all generations, so I would be happy if families and friends could enjoy them together, from children to the elderly.
Finally, please share a message.
Inomata
Please embark on a journey to explore delicious bowls while learning about the food culture that each region of the Takahashi River basin takes pride in. This time, I am very excited that all 7 cities and 3 towns in the Takahashi River basin can participate together.
If you find your "recommended noodles," please share them on social media with the hashtag "#Mentabi2025".
Conclusion
The Takahashi River basin has noodle dishes and food culture unique to the region.
Through "Mentabi," I have also discovered noodle dishes for the first time, which has inspired me to want to taste them.
The event lasts for three months, allowing for a thorough exploration of the Takahashi River basin.
Whether you are a local or a visitor, why not embark on a noodle journey to rediscover the charm of the region?
Mentabi Noodle Exploration Stamp Rally Data
| Name | Mentabi Noodle Exploration Stamp Rally |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 5, 2025 (Friday) - March 8, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Location | Takahashi River Basin |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | None *However, meal costs at each restaurant are required |
| Website | Kurashiki City Tourism WEB |
