Various markets are being held in Okayama Prefecture, but there are surprisingly few markets aimed at children.
Amidst this, on February 2, 2025 (Sunday), a "Tag Market" where children can play to their heart's content was held in Soja City.
At the Tag Market, in addition to the tag event, various shops where children can play and experience activities are expected to set up stalls.
This is an event unique to "Child-Rearing Kingdom Soja," and I was curious about the atmosphere, so I decided to participate.
What is the Tag Market?
The Tag Market was an event held on February 2, 2025 (Sunday) at the birthplace of Sesshu Park.
This market, held in conjunction with Setsubun, allows children to enjoy tag with their parents and friends.
Around the venue of the tag event, several shops were set up where children could enjoy food, sweets, and workshops, creating a lively atmosphere.
There were originally 9 shops scheduled to participate in this market, but due to the snow and rain the day before, only 6 shops ended up participating.
The atmosphere of the Tag Market on the day
The night before the market, it snowed, and there were concerns that it might be canceled, but on the morning of the event, there was no snow accumulation, and it was successfully held under cloudy skies.
Arriving at the venue around 10 AM, in time for the opening, I found that about 70% of the parking lot was already filled with cars. However, since the temperature was a harsh 4°C, many people waited in their cars until the tag registration began, and there were only a few people enjoying the market.
However, around 10:30 AM, many families arrived, enjoying the market and running around the grassy area, each enjoying the Tag Market in their own style.
While I was shivering from the cold, seeing the children running around energetically made me feel like I couldn't fall behind.
Cute accessories that excite both adults and children
Attracted by the sparkling accessories, I headed to "yumonail" and "y.s. accessory."
At this store, the owner, who is a nail artist and handmade creator, conducts kids' nail workshops and sells accessories.
Handmade accessories that are cute for adults and unique and stylish accessories selected from overseas were lined up, and I couldn't help but feel excited.
Of course, there is also a wide range of accessories for children. Hairpins and hair ties shaped like flowers and hearts were available, and the children visiting seemed to enjoy choosing their favorites, exclaiming, "So cute!"
Powerful children who make the taggers out of breath
The tag game was divided into three groups: preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school students, with high school volunteers taking on the role of the taggers.
In the tag game with preschoolers, the high school students chased the children with smiles and seemed to enjoy themselves. However, when it came to competing with elementary school students, the atmosphere changed completely. The high school students went into serious mode against the powerful elementary school students, panting as they chased with all their might.
The elementary school students, not to be outdone, ran around with serious expressions, their cheeks flushed. Both the children who got caught and those who escaped were seen talking with smiles to their parents about their experiences after the game.
A popular pastry shop that sells out early
The store I was most looking forward to at this Tag Market was Patisserie Le Vert.
Hurrying to the tent before it sold out, I found that some items had already disappeared from the shelves, but I managed to get my hands on the chiffon cake I was aiming for.
The moist and fluffy texture melted away, making me want to eat another one because it was so delicious.
After the tag event, many families visited the store, and I saw children pondering, "Which one should I choose?" The array of pastries was so attractive that it was understandable to be indecisive.
Conclusion
The "Tag Market" was filled with events that children could enjoy, creating a wonderful atmosphere where the warm connections of the community could be felt. Before the tag game, there were also scenes of parents naturally interacting with each other, making it a wonderful time not just for the children but for the adults as well.
The participating shops offered many products and play areas for children, providing content that the whole family could enjoy. It seemed to be an event that created joyful memories for the children and deepened the connections within the community.
I look forward to seeing even more connections between the community and people through events for children in the future.
Data of the Tag Market
| Name | Tag Market |
|---|---|
| Date | February 2, 2025 (Sunday) |
| Location | 2025 Akahama, Soja City |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Website | General Incorporated Association ON-DO |
