On December 12, 2021 (Sunday), the Bichu Tamashima Minato Morning Market celebrated its 7th anniversary.
This morning market is a popular event held on the second Sunday of every month, under the call to "Let's go have breakfast!".
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had not been able to go out with my family.
After a long time, I went to the morning market with my family and was very satisfied to enjoy breakfast, event experiences, and the traditional shopping street walk.
I would like to introduce the "Bichu Tamashima Minato Morning Market," which is easy to visit.
About the Bichu Tamashima Minato Morning Market
The "Bichu Tamashima Minato Morning Market" is held in the Tamashima city center on the second Sunday of every month.
Centered around the Tamashima Port Bridge Square, visitors can enjoy food stalls and events in the surrounding areas of the Tsuromachi Shopping Street to the Seishinmachi Shopping Street.
Not only do the stalls change each month, but the themes also change, such as "Bread Festival" and "Sweet Potato Festival," which is another charm of the market.
I can't help but think, "I want to go again next month."
The experiential events for December 2021 are as follows:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM - | Exciting Science Workshop |
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Outing Children's Hall |
| 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Christmas Tree Making |
| 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | English Picture Book Reading |
My daughter was looking forward to the "Christmas Tree Making," but it was very popular and filled up quickly, so we missed out this time.
Please note that the number of participants and time may be limited for some events.
First, breakfast
Since the theme is "Let's go have breakfast," our family's enjoyment is "breakfast"!
Therefore, when we arrived near the Tamashima Port Bridge Square, we started our search for breakfast.
There are some tables and chairs available, so as long as you can secure a seat, you can enjoy breakfast at a leisurely pace.
We immediately lined up for our family's staple, yakitori (100 yen each), and even the waiting time was exciting.
My daughter was also excited, and just when she said, "Alright, we're second in line," we heard an unfortunate announcement.
"We have sold out due to reservations."
Incredibly, they sold out just 10 minutes after the market started...
I have never missed out on buying yakitori (Nagai's yakitori) at the Tamashima Port Bridge Square, and it was the first time they sold out so quickly after starting.
I was really disappointed that I couldn't purchase it.
For my next target, I was relieved to be able to buy two crispy potatoes (300 yen each).
At almost the same time, I purchased kimbap and a hearty chigae at my wife's request, as she has recently been into Korean culture with her mom friends.
▼ I tried kimbap for the first time, and it looked just like rolled sushi, with a moderate spiciness and delicious taste.
▼ Additionally, the warm chigae enjoyed during this cold season satisfied both my stomach and my spirits.
▼ I couldn't give up on meat, so I purchased a pork skewer (300 yen each).
Here, I took a moment to relax.
Having eaten the biggest enjoyment of the morning market, I strolled around looking for the next enjoyment.
Bichu Children's Kagura
Next, I stroll through the Tsuromachi Shopping Street.
Perhaps due to the celebratory atmosphere of the 7th anniversary, there were many people at the morning market.
I feel that the number of participants has been increasing year by year.
While walking, I purchased waffles from Tamai-do, which I stop by every time at the morning market, and my next enjoyment is the Bichu Children's Kagura.
Do you know what Kagura is?
Until 2020, I didn't know anything specific about Kagura, but I learned about it as one of Japan's traditional performing arts through the "Takahashi River Shijuku" I attended.
When introducing it to colleagues at work, I pretend to know and say, "The Kagura that the heroine Mitsuha dances in the movie 'Your Name' is Kagura, and it's the shrine Kagura performed by women," and they realize it.
Bichu Kagura was also called Arakami Kagura, performed to invite the Arakami deity as a form of folk belief.
In some places, it is referred to as Shrine Kagura because shrines were established in specific locations.
The name Bichu Kagura comes from the fact that it is performed throughout the Bichu area, centered around Nariwa-cho, Takahashi City.
In the Edo period, the scholar and priest Nishibayashi Kokkyou created a form of Kagura with strong artistic elements based on mythology.
The three main dances today are the opening of the Heavenly Rock Cave, the ceding of the land, and the slaying of the Orochi.
It was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by the national government in 1979.
I was very much looking forward to watching the "Bichu Children's Kagura" this time as well.
This is my second time watching the children's Kagura.
It truly deserves the word "amazing."
One of the highlights is the performance of "Susanoo's Slaying of the Great Serpent."
Even though it is children's Kagura, the precision of the movements and dances, along with the dynamism, kept my eyes glued to the performance.
The people around me who were watching also couldn't help but exclaim, "Amazing."
Souvenirs at the morning market
I introduced how my family spends time at the "Bichu Tamashima Minato Morning Market," but souvenirs are also one of the joys of the morning market.
Just a little, but I would like to introduce the souvenirs I purchased this time.
Kama-ya's Yakitori
I was able to buy 10 sticks of yakitori (200 yen each) from Kama-ya, which had a stall at the entrance of the Seishinmachi Shopping Street.
After all, my wife is a big fan.
Each piece of chicken is large, and the sweetness of the onion is the best.
This shop originally was located in Horinaka, Kurashiki City, and has now moved to Nitta, Kurashiki City.
These yakitori also sold out shortly after my family purchased them.
Rainbow Cotton Candy
At the Tsuromachi Shopping Street, my daughter purchased rainbow cotton candy. The chocolate banana also looks delicious.
Receiving the monthly goshuin
After visiting Haguro Shrine, my family receives the monthly goshuin (700 yen).
I hope that not only the morning market but also from Haguro Shrine, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the townscape of Tamashima. You can also enjoy the vibrancy of the morning market and the historical townscape of Tamashima.
At least until May 2021, if you wait a little, you could receive the goshuin on the spot.
This time, I left my goshuin book and will have it sent later.
After that, the goshuin book arrived on December 17, 2021.
It is colorful and looks even better than the sample.
On the way to visit Haguro Shrine, I encountered a cat.
I feel like I always meet this cat.
A little chubby, it's cute, isn't it?
It is quite calm.
Conclusion
I introduced the "Bichu Tamashima Minato Morning Market 7th Anniversary" centered around my family's experience.
At this morning market, in addition to the shops and live performances that I couldn't introduce this time, there are also events by high school students and a children's area where small children can have fun.
I believe that each participant will find their own enjoyment at the morning market. Although it has just celebrated its 7th anniversary, I can't help but look forward to the next 10 or 20 years as it continues to evolve.
The next event will be held on January 9, 2022 (Sunday) from 9 AM!
I hope that as many people as possible can feel the atmosphere of this "Bichu Tamashima Minato Morning Market" that I love and think, "I want to go!"
Data for the 7th Anniversary of Bichu Tamashima Minato Morning Market
| Name | Bichu Tamashima Minato Morning Market 7th Anniversary |
|---|---|
| Date | 9 AM - 12 PM |
| Location | Tamashima Port Bridge Square, Tsuromachi Shopping Street, Seishin-cho Shopping Street |
| Website | 【Official】Bichu Tamashima Minato Morning Market |
