The forecast called for a rainy-season sky over the three-day weekend (July 13–15), but the weather held, so I went to “Adults’ Night Market,” held at Kurashiki Mirai Park.
As the name suggests, this is an event where you can mainly enjoy drinks and snacks that go well with them. Popular local shops, craft beers made with care, and vendors from a variety of genres set up stalls.
There are also stalls selling shaved ice and soft-serve ice cream, so it’s fine even if you don’t drink alcohol.
Here’s my report.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in July 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About “Adults’ Night Market”
“Adults’ Night Market” was held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the outdoor event plaza at Ario Kurashiki and Kurashiki Mirai Park. In recent years, it has been held in July and October.
This time, around 50 food and drink vendors gathered, mainly from within Okayama Prefecture.
It’s an event for adults where you can enjoy drinks alongside carefully crafted dishes from a variety of genres, including Japanese, Western, and Italian cuisine, as well as a wide selection of sweets for after your meal.
I visited the event
I arrived at around 5 p.m.
It was a three-day weekend, and some vendors had opened as early as 3 p.m., so the park was already bustling with people.
There were lines at some of the popular stalls, but the crowd was nicely spread out. It looked like you could buy something at any of the stalls without waiting too long.
Now, let me introduce some of the stalls that caught my eye.
Kurashiki Cheese Kobo Harupal
“Kurashiki Cheese Kobo Harupal” is a cheese workshop in Tamashima, run directly by Miyake Farm.
I’d bought their products before and found them delicious, so I stopped by again this time. The owner trained in cheese-making in Obihiro, Hokkaido, and the delicious cheese they make is a big draw. This time, along with some cheese, I also ordered their freshly churned milk soft serve.
Made from freshly drawn raw milk, the soft serve was rich yet refreshing—a cool treat in the muggy heat.
This assortment of cheeses goes perfectly with drinks. It made me want to try the craft beer being sold nearby, but… it was delicious even without alcohol.
Dan Y Dwa
“Dan Y Dwa” is a popular dining bar near JR Kurashiki Station.
I’ve been there several times, and it’s a great place to enjoy delicious cocktails and food.
I noticed them slicing prosciutto outside the shop and stopped by.
“Jamón serrano (700 yen),” a Spanish cured ham considered one of the world’s three great hams.
It paired perfectly with olive oil.
Many people also ordered mojitos made with plenty of fresh mint. They looked like a deliciously refreshing drink for the hot season (it’s also a popular cocktail at their regular location).
Chisoya Nanohana
“Chisoya Nanohana” is an izakaya near the Bikan Historical Area, serving delicious Kurashiki specialties in a storehouse built during the Edo period.
It’s one of my favorite places to enjoy delicious seasonal dishes in a charming setting. I heard they’d be setting up a stall this time, so I came by—and there was an Orion Beer (Okinawa) lantern.
They were serving draft Orion Beer (600 yen), but the Chiyagyu Beef tendon stew (1,000 yen) looked delicious, so I bought some to take away.
The beef tendon was stewed until meltingly tender and had a wonderfully rich flavor. The taste had soaked right into the center of the konjac, and it was so delicious with rice that I couldn’t stop eating.
From the Writer
“Adults’ Night Market” brought together many distinctive vendors from Kurashiki and elsewhere in the prefecture and beyond.
I couldn’t drink alcohol this time, but there were plenty of craft beer vendors. At the next event, I’d love to enjoy a drink at the venue while savoring some delicious food.
Of course, there were plenty of stalls to enjoy even if you don’t drink alcohol. And although it’s called a night market, it starts while it’s still light out, making it easy to drop by while shopping, which I thought was great.
I’m looking forward to the next one.
Adults’ Night Market details
| Name | Adults’ Night Market |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, July 13, 2024, 4 p.m.–9 p.m. |
| Location | Outdoor Event Plaza at Ario Kurashiki and Kurashiki Mirai Park |
| Admission (tax included) | Free (food and drink costs are extra) |
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