Every year, the Niiyama Renge Festival is held in the Shinyama area of Kasaoka City. The 4th edition will be held on May 3, 2025 (Saturday), blessed with clear weather, and was bustling with a large number of people.
The scale has been expanding year by year, and this time, I visited to enjoy the competition of hot air balloons and sky lanterns, where many attractions were prepared to entertain visitors both day and night.
The information provided is based on data from May 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the "Niiyama Renge Festival"?
The Niiyama Renge Festival is organized by Tahara Kazuya, who is the initiator and practices rice cultivation without chemical fertilizers in the region, and has been held since 2022 by the youth group of the Shinyama area, Niiyama Shineikai.
The venue is the renge field surrounding the American goods store Wishbase, run by Mr. and Mrs. Tahara. With the hope that people will feel close to the nature and agriculture of Shinyama, they open the rice fields where the renge flowers planted as fertilizer are in full bloom and hold the renge festival every year.
Parking is available around the renge field, but to avoid congestion on the surrounding roads, cars are parked at the Koyo Sangyo Co., Ltd. parking lot, about 1.4 km from the venue, and visitors transfer to waiting jumbo taxis. The jumbo taxis operate a shuttle service between the venue and the parking lot, so they return in just a few minutes even if they are not waiting.
Upon arriving at the venue, a tent marked "Headquarters" comes into view.
At the reception, staff wearing matching renge-colored overalls provided information about the photo contest and other activities.
Enjoying gourmet food and music while viewing the renge field in the "Daytime Session"
The Niiyama Renge Festival is structured in two parts: daytime and nighttime. In the Daytime Session, visitors can enjoy local gourmet food while listening to live music.
In the morning, classic cars from yesteryear also arrived, attracting crowds of people taking photos and peering into the classic cars.
Additionally, small antique benches were placed in the renge field, creating perfect photo spots.
Every year, a viewing platform is set up. The view from the high place is different! Both adults and children seem to enjoy it.
Children are running around in the spacious renge field, energetically jumping into the renge while shouting "Jump!"
Additionally, tables and chairs were provided in the renge field, allowing visitors to enjoy local gourmet food while immersing themselves in nature.
Being able to eat while looking at such scenery is the best.
Various wonderful shops
At the site of Wishbase, various local gourmet stalls lined up, allowing visitors to take out food and eat in the renge field.
Kasa SHOP Exploration Group (Okayama Prefectural Kasaoka Commercial High School)
Students from Okayama Prefectural Kasaoka Commercial High School's Kasa SHOP Research Group developed and were selling a craft cola called Kitagi-shima DAIDAIGO! GO!. It contains locally produced daidai (bitter orange) from Kasaoka, along with ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, which seems to be good for the body.
Rokushima Beach Brewery
Craft beer made in Rokushima in Kasaoka City was available for sale. The design is also wonderful.
Teppanyaki Ipponsatsu
Yakisoba, yakitori, and torikawa gyoza are perfect accompaniments for beer! The yakisoba grilled on the teppan is a cut above the rest.
Kominka Cafe & Creative Dining Yu
The two-flavor ice cream catches the eye. There was also a unique menu item called chili con potato fries, typical of a creative dining establishment.
Global Foods Corporation
The phantom curry bread is said to be very popular. Strawberry crepes and domestic beef kalbi rice bowls were also available. They strive for as much local production for local consumption as possible.
Village Kousan
The handmade frankfurters from Village Kousan are made from 100% domestic pork! They are a genuine product made from scratch, starting from mincing the meat.
Niiyama Shineikai
The freshly grilled 100% beef hamburger was popular and a great success!
Shinyama Shokudo Hatomugi Miso Association
The hatomugi miso, made abundantly with "hatomugi" said to be effective for beauty and health, is intriguing. The rice balls also looked delicious.
Narumon no Mise
At Narumon no Mise, authentic Thai cuisine was sold at reasonable prices. The spicy chicken dog seemed sweet and spicy enough for children to enjoy.
pasión
Baked goods made from locally sourced ingredients from Kasaoka City, Ibara City, Asakuchi City, Yakage Town, and others, as well as shiroppu cider, were lined up.
Okuyama Agricultural Cooperative
Fresh eggs, egg rice, rice flour, seasonings, and more were sold, with valuable rice flour available at reasonable prices.
Smile Cheesecake
The "cheesecake with a 250-person wait" that was featured in the Chugoku Shimbun is extremely popular, but at the Niiyama Renge Festival, it is a first-come, first-served basis without reservations. It seems that thanks to their connection with the festival's founders, the Tahara couple, they participate every year, traveling all the way from Hiroshima City.
This is the local gourmet I purchased. When I enjoyed it at home, everything was exquisite.
In addition to the local gourmet stalls, there were also treatments such as foot massages, and sales of vegetables, flowers, miscellaneous goods, and displays of agricultural machinery.
Music from sanshin and guitar matches the tranquil scenery
On stage, live performances by Mr. Kakuta with the sanshin and Shiba-chan the street performer were held, adding excitement to the event.
Mr. Kakuta with the sanshin
A solo live performance by Mr. Kakuta and a session with the Ryukyu Sanshin Club of Okayama Gakugeikan High School unfolded. The sound of the sanshin evokes images of Okinawa, but it perfectly matched the renge field.
Shiba-chan the street performer
During Shiba-chan the street performer's live performance, the first song played was "Country Road." It was a perfect selection for the renge field. The guitar and singing blended into the tranquil scenery.
In the evening, the audience sang along with Shiba-chan's performance, creating a lively atmosphere.
The "Evening Session" is highly anticipated! A competition of sky lanterns and hot air balloons
At 5 PM, an announcement for the distribution of sky lanterns was made, and those who had made reservations headed to the reception. Pens were also provided at the reception, and people were drawing wishes and illustrations on the received sky lanterns.
Soon, an announcement was made: "Those with lanterns, please enter the renge field," and they were guided by staff holding placards to walk deeper into the renge field.
At the back of the renge field, a hot air balloon being prepared was present, raising expectations.
An announcement was made: "Please turn on the switch under the sky lantern and extend the string," and all the sky lanterns rose into the air. Although the sky lanterns were all pure white, once lit, it was clear that the colors of the LED lights inside were red, yellow, and green.
The hot air balloon also inflated significantly, and all that was left was to wait for complete darkness.
And finally, night fell, revealing a fantastical scene beyond imagination.
As I was captivated by the wonderful sight, an announcement came through: "I am happy to see such a view and that the event was held safely. Thank you!" I couldn't help but respond in my heart, "Thank you for showing us such a wonderful view and for planning such a fun event."
From the Writer
While waiting for the jumbo taxi back, Mr. Unebayashi, the president of the Niiyama Shinkai Association, called out, "If anyone is interested in agriculture, please feel free to reach out. We are waiting for you. Let's all grow safe and secure rice!"
Indeed, the original purpose of this event is to "foster a love for nature and an interest in agriculture."
Surely, among the children who fully interacted with nature in the renge field, there will be those who wish to continue living in nature. Additionally, there may be adults considering returning to farming through U-turns or I-turns.
Even if one does not engage in agriculture, being mindful of local production for local consumption and eating local agricultural products contributes to supporting local agriculture.
The Niiyama Renge Festival is held every year on May 3. The next event is scheduled to be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
How about interacting with nature in the renge field and reflecting on local agriculture?
4th Niiyama Renge Festival Information
| Name | 4th Niiyama Renge Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | May 3, 2025 (Saturday) from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
| Location | 1128-5 Yamaguchi, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture (around Wish Base) |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free admission |
| Homepage | mamawishbase |
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