Have you ever visited Shimotsui, a fishing town with rich tourist resources such as the Seto-Ohashi Bridge, Washuzan Hill, and octopus?
It has also been attracting attention as a place for workations and relocation.
The author has visited the area near Washuzan Hill and the Seto-Ohashi Bridge many times, but had hardly spoken with the people living in Shimotsui.
Driven by curiosity to talk with the people living in Shimotsui and attracted by delicious food, I decided to participate in the Shimotsui Sakaba.
I will report on the atmosphere of the Shimotsui Sakaba.
What is the 4th Shimotsui Sakaba?
The Shimotsui Sakaba is an event organized by Ms. Sakura Nakato, a member of the Kurashiki City Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team, as part of the "Connecting Project," which aims to "connect" local traditions and culture to the next generation through human connections.
It is an event where participants can enjoy food centered around seafood from Shimotsui, along with musical performances, singing, and interaction with others.
Ms. Nakato wanted to create a place of relaxation and connection through alcohol, and "Oto no Wa" wanted to create a space where smiles spread while enjoying music, leading to the birth of the Shimotsui Sakaba.
It started in November 2022, and this is the 4th time it has been held.
The "Shimotsui Sakaba" has been very popular every time.
This time, the capacity was filled one week before the application deadline, showing its popularity.
Of course, participation is very welcome even if you do not live in Shimotsui.
Many participants gathered from outside the Shimotsui area.
A new place for interaction where food, music, and conversation overlap
The event itself starts at 6 PM, but when I entered, the venue was already lively.
Upon entering the venue, the first thing to do is to fill your plate with drinks and food.
From fish to vegetables and meat, everything looks delicious, and it's hard not to take a lot.
At 6 PM, the event began with a greeting from Ms. Sakura Nakato of the Kurashiki City Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team.
Next, the atmosphere was lifted by musical performances.
Classical guitar, harmonica, and the sound of the sanshin further enhanced the atmosphere of the venue.
As the venue became more lively, there was the regular surprise participation segment of the Shimotsui Sakaba!
Participants showcased their talents by singing their favorite songs or playing instruments, making it hard not to want to join in.
In the end, everyone danced to the sanshin, and the event concluded with a sense of regret.
How to enjoy the Shimotsui Sakaba
If you don't know what kind of place the "Shimotsui Sakaba" is, it might be difficult to take the step to participate.
I will introduce three points on how to enjoy the "Shimotsui Sakaba" based on my experience participating.
Foods including seafood from Shimotsui
As the name "Sakaba" suggests, delicious food and drinks are essential.
The menu is as follows.
The lineup of dishes changes with each event.
Seafood such as blue crabs and octopus sashimi, as well as meat dishes from Yamamoto Meat Shop in Tsuyama!
There was a limit of one blue crab per person, but all other food was all-you-can-eat!
You can enjoy the dishes until you are satisfied.
Everything was delicious, but my personal favorite was the dried meat.
The more you chew, the more flavor it releases, and I finished it in no time.
Music is essential to liven up the Sakaba!
At the beginning of the event, there were two performances.
First up was a duo from Kumamoto Prefecture, the "Hachiko s".
The gentle sounds of the chromatic harmonica and classical guitar resonate.
Next was KOTARO's sanshin performance.
At first, I was just listening, but I was invited by other participants and before I knew it, I was waving my hands and dancing.
After the performances, it was time for surprise participation.
Participants showcased their singing talents accompanied by Kana's piano performance.
I also joined in!
Most of the attendees were meeting for the first time, but by performing, I was able to blend into the atmosphere of the venue more.
It's okay to participate for the first time
Even if you think it looks fun from this article, it is natural to feel anxiety about being in a new place.
But don't worry. At the Shimotsui Sakaba, there are many points where even first-time participants can join the conversation circle.
For example, during the surprise performances, there is a self-introduction time for newcomers.
When I introduced myself, other participants started talking to me.
If you feel shy about introducing yourself in front of others, that's okay too.
As a first step to joining the conversation circle, the people at the table can introduce you as well.
I was initially worried about being able to join the circle, but by the end of the event, I had completely forgotten my anxious feelings.
New encounters born in Shimotsui
What I gained from participating in the Shimotsui Sakaba was new encounters with people I usually can't talk to.
When I first stepped into the venue, I was filled with anxiety, wondering, "Will I be okay?" due to the age differences.
However, after experiencing the warmth of the people from Shimotsui, by the end, I was looking forward to the next event.
There are many tourist spots in Shimotsui, but I learned that the people living there are also charming, and I grew to love this area even more.
The 5th Shimotsui Sakaba is scheduled to be held in about two months.
How about talking with the people of Shimotsui over cold drinks and delicious food in the middle of summer next time?
Data of the 4th Shimotsui Sakaba
| Name | 4th Shimotsui Sakaba |
|---|---|
| Date | June 3, 2023 (Saturday) from 6 PM to 8:30 PM |
| Location | 1-9-8 Shimotsui, Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (tax included) | All-you-can-drink alcohol: 4,500 yen Non-alcoholic: 3,000 yen |
| Website | Ms. Sakura Nakato's Instagram of the Kurashiki Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team |
