Warm days have begun to continue.
Just when I thought the flowers of grass and trees were blooming, the lush green leaves have started to appear in no time.
Is it just my imagination that the days seem to pass by busily, as if being drawn by the plants?
In the lively atmosphere of spring, an event that satisfies both the desire to be active and to take it slow was held at Kurashiki Mirai Park.
The name of the event is Ohayou Market.
In the pleasant weather that feels like a little ahead of the season, I participated in the event.
What is Ohayou Market
On April 10, 2022, the Ohayou Market was held at Kurashiki Mirai Park, with a total of 26 shops participating.
Ohayou Market is a morning market organized by the restaurant "Saji" in Soja City, held every second Sunday of the month from 9 AM to 12 PM.
The number of participating shops ranges from 25 to about 30 at most.
Each shop has its own unique style and is particular about the materials used.
The Ohayou Market is held in a shape that spans the connecting passage from Ario Kurashiki to MITSUI OUTLET PARK Kurashiki.
As soon as you step out of the connecting passage, a small town overflowing with the thoughts of each shop welcomes you.
Introduction of some shops participating on April 10
Here are a few shops that participated on April 10.
The handmade sign shop "Kobashi Shouten" with a deep flavor
The warm sign that looks like it came out of a picture book was handmade by the shop owner.
I bought brown bread, tea bread, and Belgian waffles, and I immediately enjoyed them.
Taking a bite of the brown bread, just as I imagined from the sign, it was fluffy, soft, and the rich flavor of wheat spread in my mouth.
Even within its softness, I could feel a chewy texture that made me want to savor it forever.
About an hour and a half after the start, it was understandable that there were only a few products left due to their deliciousness.
Kobashi Shouten sells only at events and participates in Ohayou Market almost every month.
The directly managed workshop "Cheese Workshop Haruparu"
When I approached the booth, I found a cow statue that was unusual, and delicious-looking cheese was displayed.
In addition to familiar cheese names, there were also some rare ones.
Immediately, the shop owner taught me various delicious ways to enjoy them.
All the ways to enjoy them were appealing and sparked my imagination, so I bought three types of cheese.
A combination of mozzarella cheese, scamorza, and fromage blanc.
Each one was so concentrated in flavor that I couldn't help but moan the moment I tasted them.
Among them, the most luxurious taste was the smoked scamorza made from mozzarella cheese.
As the shop owner suggested, it was exquisite when placed on top of potatoes and baked in the oven.
In addition to individual items, there are also cheese assortments and platters, making it perfect for when you can't decide on just one or want to buy several types at a good price.
Be sure to try the cheese from the directly managed cheese workshop.
The stone oven pizza "Ishigama Panya nico" that bakes in no time right in front of you
Behind the compact booth, a stone oven that looks just like the illustration on the sign was set up, with red flames flickering inside.
In front of it, I could see the owner skillfully spreading the pizza dough.
Though not flashy, I couldn't take my eyes off the series of movements.
As vibrant toppings were placed on the pizza dough, it was finally time for the stone oven to shine.
The pizza was placed in the front space.
While I was captivated by the rare opportunity to see the stone oven up close and the owner's skill, the pizza was baked.
The menu for stone oven pizza included Margherita and honey cheese, so I ordered the Margherita.
The plate, which was too hot to hold, was proof that the pizza was freshly baked. The taste was, of course, simply "delicious."
In addition, fried bread and donuts were lined up in front of the booth, and next to the donuts was a sign for fermented juice.
True to the word "fermented," it was an orange-flavored juice containing live bacteria, and you could choose between water or soda to mix it.
This is a shop where I hope you can experience the charm of the owner's craftsmanship and the stone oven.
The shop "Kinging-do" where you can feel the warmth of craftsmanship in each item
There were fabric products of various sizes, all with different expressions, such as pouches and cotton azuma bags.
There were also wooden photo frames, and ceramic tableware that each had a unique charm.
Each item seems to talk cheerfully to you.
A single pattern drawn on a plate can lead to a conversation with the shop owner.
Some patterns look like apples, while others resemble trees.
Some customers even said that the entire plate looked like a bear.
Even though they look like the same plate, when you pick them up, you can feel that each one has a different size and shape, making them feel completely unique.
This shop is full of charming works that make you want to collect one each time you visit.
The shop "Atelier Ko of Driftwood and Old Tools" that brings a relaxed time with the texture of driftwood
While maintaining the rugged texture of driftwood, all the crafted works have a gentle expression.
There are no overly decorated items.
There are also no intricate details added.
It seems that the aged wood itself makes the works rich in flavor.
Since each piece of wood has a different charm, there are no identical works.
The driftwood tree made while preserving the natural branches of the driftwood had no identical pieces, even including the sound of the bells.
This is a shop where I hope you will visit to experience the texture of driftwood that feels both rugged and gentle, and cold yet warm.
The herb tea shop "Herb & Spice drie" where you can experience tasting as well as explanations
With a stylish package that has an organic feel and the words blended herb tea piquing my interest, I found myself in front of the shop.
Then, the shop owner promptly offered me a tasting.
Each one had a wonderful aroma that made me want to inhale deeply.
While of course considering the effects, the shop owner also pays attention to the ease of drinking when blending.
The varieties include spring blends (spring detox tea, spring aroma, sakura hojicha) and Stress free, among others, all of which are intriguing in terms of their effects.
There was also a blend tea labeled bihada (美肌) in Roman letters.
When I asked why it was in Roman letters, the owner explained, "It's a bit embarrassing to buy something that has beauty effects for myself, so I wanted to make it easier for customers to buy."
This shop is one where you will want to experience the owner's personality and the deep world of herbs over and over again.
Conclusion
In addition to the shops introduced, there were many others.
There were shops specializing in gluten-free baked goods, coffee shops, sandwich shops, long-established wagashi (Japanese sweets) shops, and shops dealing with fresh seafood.
Many shops participate every month, but there are also shops that are making their debut.
It was truly a packed Ohayou Market.
If you research the shops in advance, you can enjoy a different Ohayou Market each month.
Since it is held only in the morning, it is not uncommon for popular products to sell out quickly.
When you visit, why not head out early in the morning with enthusiasm?
In addition to the monthly Ohayou Market, "Saji" also holds a night market in summer and a year-end market in December.
Due to the possibility of postponement or cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, be sure to check Saji's Facebook or Instagram in advance if you want to participate in the event.
Data of Ohayou Market
| Name | Ohayou Market |
|---|---|
| Date | Every second Sunday of the month from 9 AM to 12 PM |
| Location | 12-1 Kotobuki-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (tax included) | Free admission |
| Website | Ohayou Market (Saji's event information) Instagram |
