I visited the year-end tradition, the “Saji Year-End Market,” held at the outdoor event plaza at Kurashiki Mirai Park and Ario Kurashiki.
The popular restaurant Gohan-ya Saji, about a 10-minute walk from JR Soja Station, plans and runs the event. It reportedly hosted a total of 16 events in 2023.
I live in Mabi, so Gohan-ya Saji is nearby, but I had never been to the restaurant or its market. I went to get ready for the New Year.
The information provided was accurate when this article was published in January 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Overview of the “Saji Year-End Market”
The “Saji Year-End Market” was held on Friday, December 29, 2023, at the outdoor event plaza at Kurashiki Mirai Park and Ario Kurashiki, with around 40 vendors taking part.
Like “Ohayo Market,” held on the second Sunday of every month, the event runs from 9 a.m. to noon.
- Snacks for the year-end and New Year holidays, when relatives and friends get together
- Lovely items for New Year preparations and gifts
- Not just food, but colorful general-goods shops and bookstores
With all these things gathered in one place, three hours may not be enough to take a good look at every shop.
Several shops had sold out by 10 a.m., so if you want to take your time and enjoy the event, it’s best to arrive early.
At the venue
I headed over right away.
Here are the shops I visited this time.
Kibato-ya (baked goods)
This is a baked-goods shop with a location in Kojima.
I thought, “Lucky, it’s a popular shop but not crowded!”—but it had almost completely sold out…
My daughter and I were at a loss, while the kind folks at Kibato-ya looked on warmly. Thankfully, they still had some stollen left.
After I got home, I savored the chocolate stollen, taking my time with every bite.
Ishigama Panya nico (pizza and sweets)
Later, while walking around Kurashiki Mirai Park, I spotted an oven.
I was starving. I’m not good at waiting in line, but before I knew it, I’d been eagerly waiting for about 40 minutes. I got a Margherita pizza and a Gorgonzola cheese and honey pizza, and ate them right there.
Fresh, piping-hot pizza baked in a stone oven is exceptional.
451 Books (mobile bookstore)
Now that we’d had our fill, we set off exploring again.
As we headed toward the event plaza at Ario Kurashiki, a charming little bookstore caught our eye. Picture books, foreign-language books, and cute goods were packed into every available space.
The owner, Ms. Negi, is apparently the head of the organizing group for the Okayama Literary Festival.
It seems there are various events from February through March, so those caught our interest too.
From the Writer
We spoke with organizer Ochi.
It was a warm event where you could feel the connections between people, as if a small town had sprung up around Saji.
The monthly Ohayo Market will also be held at Ario Kurashiki on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
Details about the event are updated regularly on Instagram, so be sure to check.
Saji Year-End Market Information
| Name | Saji Year-End Market |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, December 29, 2023 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. |
| Location | Ario Kurashiki, Kurashiki Mirai Park |
| Admission (tax included) | Free admission |
| Website | Saji event account (Instagram) |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a search term to find articles on this site
Of course, we value our customers and everyone at Ario Kurashiki, but we especially want to make this event a place where vendors feel valued.
Many shops that don’t usually take part in events join us, saying, “If it’s an event by Saji, count us in!” The Year-End Market is also a chance to exchange year-end greetings with these shop owners.
We already have 14 events scheduled for 2024, so we hope you’ll continue to support us!