What comes to mind when you hear the term social contribution?
Some may have the impression of it being a "special activity." You might think of it as something that requires strong will or determination, like volunteering or making donations.
However, what if enjoying shopping and dining could naturally lead to social contribution? An event themed around "just by buying, you contribute to society," called the "Mottainai Festival," was held at Kurashiki Ivy Square.
Here’s a look at the lively atmosphere of the day.
What is the Mottainai Festival?
The Mottainai Festival started in 2023 and celebrated its fourth event in 2026.
It began as an initiative to utilize products that are deemed unsellable or waste generated in the manufacturing and food service sectors as "resources" and to give back to the local community. A total of 31 organizations, including local businesses, restaurants, and high schools, have set up booths in support of this idea.
Another significant feature of the event is that approximately 10% of the sales are donated to local welfare organizations.
The recipient organizations are as follows:
- BOKKA Uematsu Free School
- Everyone's Home Haru House
- Homie General Incorporated Association Daytime Temporary Support Chill
- Kawabe Reconstruction Project Aruku
- Certified NPO Parent Support Step (Parent's Place Usagi Cafe, etc.)
- Kurashiki Support LABO
The atmosphere on the event day
The day was surprisingly warm for late February, feeling like spring.
The venue, Kurashiki Ivy Square, is a complex tourist facility located within the Bikan Historical Area.
As a result, it was common to see tourists and travelers casually stopping by.
Inside the Ivy Hall, the main area featured sections selling irregular products and bargains. Booths offered unexpected treasures, including food and miscellaneous goods.
On the other hand, the courtyard square was centered around food booths, with steam rising from freshly prepared dishes and delicious aromas filling the air.
Under a clear blue sky, the area was bustling with people relaxing with drinks in hand and enjoying their meals.
Quiz Stamp Rally & Chalk Art Experience
I received a pamphlet at the venue and participated in the quiz stamp rally. There were two quiz questions prepared on signs set up at three locations within the venue.
Here’s a sample of one of the quiz questions.
The correct answer is 3.
Unfortunately, I got it wrong. There were questions that made me think deeply, providing an opportunity to learn about social initiatives while having fun.
In the courtyard square, there was a chalk art experience led by chalk artist TURURI.
This heart shape is said to be formed by the name tags of the participants in the experience.
The children used used chalk or chalk that became irregular during the manufacturing process. They enjoyed drawing on cars and reusable materials, as well as making crafts with cardboard.
The drawings created together turned out to be wonderful works of art.
Enjoying event gourmet with my chopsticks and plate
The Mottainai Festival encourages participants to bring their own chopsticks, plates, and bags in advance. Of course, bringing them is not mandatory, and there was a friendly atmosphere of cooperation within reasonable limits.
For lunch, I chose the seafood marinated rice bowl from the booth of "Uo Haru + Obento, Nichinichi." Since I had brought my own plate, I had them serve it on that.
My family chose the special curry from Everyone's Home Haru House. This is one of the recipient organizations of the event's donations.
There are shops I have been curious about but have not had the chance to visit, and shops that I did not know about but seem to be near my home. Such new encounters with shops and organizations may be one of the unique charms of events.
Treasure Hunting for Once-in-a-Lifetime Finds
After satisfying my hunger, I enjoyed shopping freely around the venue.
The venue, where various products such as sweets, shoes, miscellaneous goods, and seasonings are lined up, has a treasure-hunting-like fun.
While being distracted by this and that, I found myself shopping with a large bag full of items.
It seems that at some booths, the prepared bargains were almost sold out by the morning. If you have a specific shop in mind, it would be better to visit early.
Conclusion
To be honest, while enjoying gourmet food and shopping at the venue, I was not strongly conscious of "contributing to society." The term "social contribution" feels somewhat daunting and hard to approach.
However, at the Mottainai Festival, a part of the money spent for enjoyment naturally leads to donations. No strong will or special resolve is necessary.
Just by participating, you support someone in the community.
This easy and subtle cycle brings a sense of warmth.
When I bring the purchased items home, the thought of the donation recipient occasionally crosses my mind. This feeling, which straightens my back, may also be a small change that the event has given me.
Mottainai Festival Data
| Name | Mottainai Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | February 21, 2026 (Saturday) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Location | Kurashiki Ivy Square |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | Free Admission |
| Website | Mottainai Festival |
“How many children's cafeterias are said to exist nationwide?”