Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market celebrated its 7th anniversary on Sunday, December 12, 2021.
This popular morning market is held on the second Sunday of every month under the slogan, “Let’s go out for breakfast!”
The author had not been able to go out with the family, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We went to the morning market as a family for the first time in a while and had a wonderful time enjoying breakfast, hands-on events, and our customary stroll through the shopping streets.
Here’s an introduction to Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market, an easy place to visit.
The information presented here is current as of when this article was published in January 2022. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market
Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market is held on the second Sunday of every month in downtown Tamashima.
Centered around Tamashima Port Bridge Plaza, you can enjoy food stalls and events in the area around Tomachi Shopping Street and Seishincho Shopping Street.
Not only do the participating shops change from month to month, but the theme changes too, with events such as a “Bread Festival” and a “Sweet Potato Festival.”
It makes you think, “I’d like to come again next month (next time).”
The hands-on events in December 2021 were as follows.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| From 9:00 a.m. | Fun Science Crafts Plaza |
| 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Traveling Children’s Center |
| 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. | Make a Christmas Tree |
| 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. | English Picture Book Read-Aloud |
My daughter had been looking forward to making a Christmas tree, but it was very popular and filled up early, so we didn’t make it this time.
Some events have limited capacity and time slots, so be sure to plan ahead.
First, breakfast
Since the theme is “Let’s go out for breakfast,” breakfast is what our family looks forward to most!
So, as soon as we arrived near Tamashima Port Bridge Plaza, we started looking for breakfast.
A few tables and chairs are provided, so if you can find a seat, you can enjoy breakfast at your leisure.
We immediately joined the line for our family’s usual yakitori (100 yen per skewer), and even the wait was exciting.
My daughter was getting excited too, when, just as we thought, “All right, we’re second in line,” came the crushing announcement.
“Sold out due to reservations and other orders.”
Unbelievably, it sold out just 10 minutes after the morning market opened…
We had never failed to buy yakitori from Nagai’s at Tamashima Port Bridge Plaza before, so this was the first time we’d seen it sell out so soon after opening.
We were really disappointed not to get any.
We were relieved to get two orders of our next choice, crispy potatoes (300 yen).
At almost the same time, we bought gimbap and a hearty jjigae at my wife’s request; she’s recently gotten into Korean culture with her mom friends.
▼ It was my first time trying gimbap. It looks just like Japanese rolled sushi, has a pleasant amount of spice, and tastes delicious.
▼ The hot jjigae was just what we needed on a cold day like this, satisfying both our stomachs and our spirits.
▼ I couldn’t give up on having meat, so I bought a pork skewer (300 yen each).
We took a moment to relax.
Having enjoyed breakfast, the highlight of the morning market, we took a leisurely stroll toward our next activity.
Bitchu Children’s Kagura
Next, we explored Tomachi Shopping Street.
Perhaps because it was a special occasion—the market’s 7th anniversary—there were lots of people there.
It feels like the number of visitors has been increasing year by year.
On the way, we bought waffles from Tamaido, a regular stop for us at every morning market. My next treat was Bitchu Children’s Kagura.
Do you know what kagura is?
Until 2020, I knew nothing about kagura in any detail. I learned about it at Takahashi River Shijuku; it is one of Japan’s traditional performing arts.
When introducing it to coworkers, I sometimes pretend to know all about it and say, “The dance performed by Mitsuha, the heroine in the movie Your Name, is kagura—it’s miko kagura, performed by women.” That usually gets the point across.
Bitchu Kagura was also called Kojin Kagura, a ritual performed to invite Kojin-sama, a deity of folk belief.
In some places, shrines were built at specific sites, which is why it was also called Shinden Kagura.
It is called Bitchu Kagura because it is performed throughout Bitchu, particularly around Nariwa-cho in Takahashi City.
Nishibayashi Kokyo, a Shinto priest and scholar of Japanese classics in the Edo period, created Jindai Kagura, which has strong theatrical elements and is based on mythology.
The three central dances today are the opening of the Heavenly Rock Cave, the transfer of the land, and the slaying of the serpent.
In 1979, it was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
Once again, I was very much looking forward to watching Bitchu Children’s Kagura.
This was my second time seeing children perform kagura.
“Amazing” is really the only word for it.
One highlight is the performance “Susanoo-no-Mikoto’s Slaying of the Great Serpent.”
Even though it’s children’s kagura, the precise movements, sharp dancing, and energy keep you glued to the performance.
People watching nearby couldn’t help exclaiming, “Amazing!”
Souvenirs are part of the morning market experience
I’ve shared how our family spends time at Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market, but souvenirs are another part of the fun, aren’t they?
Here are a few of the souvenirs we bought this time.
Kamaya Yakitori
We managed to buy 10 skewers of yakitori (200 yen each) from Kamaya, which had a stall at the entrance to Seishincho Shopping Street.
My wife is a huge fan.
The chicken pieces are large, and the sweetness of the onions is wonderful.
This yakitori shop was originally in Horiminami, Kurashiki City, and has since moved to Shinden, Kurashiki City.
This shop’s yakitori had also sold out by the time a few groups behind us got there.
Rainbow Cotton Candy
At Tomachi Shopping Street, my daughter bought rainbow cotton candy. The chocolate-covered banana looked delicious too.
Receiving the monthly goshuin
Our last stop is to visit Haguro Shrine and receive the monthly goshuin (700 yen).
I hope you’ll take in the view of Tamashima’s townscape from Haguro Shrine, as well as enjoy the morning market. You can appreciate both the lively market and Tamashima’s historic streets.
At least through May 2021, you could receive a goshuin on the spot after a short wait.
This time, we left our goshuin book there, and it will be sent to us later.
The goshuin book arrived on December 17, 2021.
It’s colorful and looks even better than the sample.
On the way to pay a visit to Haguro Shrine, I came across a cat.
I feel like I see this cat all the time.
Its slightly chubby look is cute.
It looks very self-assured.
From the Writer
Focusing on my family’s experience, I introduced “Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market: 7th Anniversary.”
In addition to shops and live performances that I couldn’t cover this time, the market also features events run by high school students and a children’s area where little ones can have fun.
I think it’s a market where everyone who takes part can find something they enjoy. It has only just celebrated its seventh anniversary, but I can’t help looking forward to seeing it continue to change over the next 10 or 20 years.
The next market will be held on Sunday, January 9, 2022, from 9 a.m.!
I’d be happy if you could get even a small sense of the atmosphere of this “Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market,” which I love, and if as many people as possible thought, “I’d like to go!”
Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market 7th Anniversary Information
| Name | Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market 7th Anniversary |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. |
| Location | Tamashima Port Bridge Plaza, Tomachi Shopping Street, Seishincho Shopping Street |
| Website | Official: Bitchu Tamashima Minato Morning Market |
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