Kurashiki has lots of events in autumn.
The market “Takahashi River Marché 2019,” bringing together healthy, organic food and lifestyle goods, was held on Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20, 2019.
The main venue was Ohashi House, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
In 2019, nearby shops also joined as venues, making the event bigger and better.
Here we introduce Takahashi River Marché, where you can enjoy shopping and workshops while experiencing the region’s living culture.
The information presented was current when this article was published in October 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Takahashi River Marché?
Takahashi River Marché is a marché bringing together healthy, organic foods produced throughout the Takahashi River Basin, along with everyday items that enrich daily life, such as tableware, furniture, accessories, and works of art.
It started in 2012 and held its 14th event in 2019. (It was held several times a year in its early days; it is now held once a year.)
The Takahashi River is a Class A river that flows through western Okayama Prefecture.
The seven cities and three towns of Kurashiki City, Niimi City, Takahashi City, Soja City, Hayashima Town, Yakage Town, Ibara City, Asakuchi City, Satosho Town, and Kasaoka City are known as the Takahashi River Basin area.
Marché is the French word for “market.”
Takahashi River Marché is not a hodgepodge market where anything goes.
The vendors change each time so returning visitors can enjoy something new, but the event has a consistent lifestyle ethos.
The diverse shops gathered at the main venue, Ohashi House, offer shopping that enriches everyday life.
Workshops are held, too.
On past visits, the author has bought treats from a coffee shop, savory cake, succulent arrangements, rings made from deer antlers, simple, rustic plates, stylish soap, and more.
I look forward to discovering shops and artists I didn’t know about.
Vendors at Takahashi River Marché 2019
In 2019, eight food vendors and 22 craft vendors set up at Ohashi House.
| Vendor | Overview |
|---|---|
| Dessert Time Kurashiki | Organic curry and drinks |
| Marubishi Co., Ltd. | From the Petit Komachi series: sword bean tea, rooibos and Job’s tears tea, dandelion tea, and more |
| Confectionery Workshop Komachi | Stylish and cute baked treats |
| Kurashiki Coffee-kan | Original blended coffee |
| Nanakusa Farm | High-quality organic vegetables |
| Kurashiki Nakashimaya | Artists’ works and organic food |
| Tabinobito Farm | Traditional roasted bancha tea from Bitchu |
| Boulangerie MaiMai | Rice-flour bread |
| Glass studio MIGAKI | Glass kagami mochi and more |
| Uchiyama Naoto | Accessories made from brass and silver |
| HiFuMi | Everyday clothing and accessories made with natural dyes, plus dye-renewal orders and workshops |
| SIRUHA | Planners, bags, and accessories |
| CLAY STUDIO GENN | Everyday-use pottery |
| Tonbodama Workshop MABO | Glass beads and handmade-bead hair ties, plus workshops |
| BARREL FINE CLOTHING | BLENHEIM |
| Sakamoto Orimono Co., Ltd. | Sanada cords and related products, plus workshops |
| la luce dolce | Candle art, plus workshops |
| Hanayoshi | Dried-flower garlands and herbariums, plus workshops |
| KKD Labo | Alien kokeshi dolls, wall clocks, and more |
| KOHUG | Bags made with original textiles and leather |
| Tackle wood design | Stylish wooden accessories |
| Ceramics Workshop Yoshino | Pottery |
| Akari Glass | Polysilicate glass accessories and cups, plus workshops |
| Ujimine Mari (illustrator) | Illustration exhibition |
| Take Tae (copperplate print artist) | Copperplate print exhibition |
| Inoue Junzo (painter) | Painting exhibition |
| Bolly Woodworking Studio | Chopsticks and wooden accessories |
| Workshop Kawatsuki | Woodwork, plus workshops |
| Ninjo Itsukei (lacquerware artist) | Lacquerware |
| forutuna | Fabric-scrap workshop; located at the neighborhood association venue |
What was special about Takahashi River Marché in 2019?
The 2019 event was different from previous years.
Here are its special features.
- Artists joined in, turning the venue into a gallery
- Working with the Achi-cho neighborhood association expanded the venue
Here’s a closer look.
Two artists turn the venue into a gallery
Works by two young artists with strong ties to Kurashiki will be displayed at the venue.
- Illustrator from Mabi: Ujimine Mari
- Copperplate print artist: Take Tae
An installation by the two artists is also planned at Ohashi House. (An installation is a method of presenting a space as a single work of art.)
Works will also be displayed at participating shops in the Achi-cho neighborhood.
The poster features a new work by Take, created around the theme of Takahashi River Marché.
Exhibitions and a garage sale held in the Achi-cho neighborhood
Works by Ujimine and Take will also be displayed at ten shops in the Achi-cho neighborhood.
Three private homes will also serve as venues, hosting workshops.
The participating shops and homes in the Achi-cho neighborhood are as follows.
| Shop or venue | Overview |
|---|---|
| Kajimaya, former Shiraishi Genjiro Store site | Cafe, garage sale, and exhibition of old photographs of Achi-cho |
| In front of the Hayashi residence | Free rhinoceros beetle larvae |
| Yososeya Ogawara Kimono Shop | Folding-screen exhibition; make a Japanese-style card or small gift envelope |
| Uchida residence | Enjoy the atmosphere of a sencha tea gathering in a traditional house |
| Candle Fairy | Experience the excitement of making a one-of-a-kind candle in a traditional house |
| Wool Shop Miyake “Hirotaya” | Handmade hanger workshop |
| Kurashiki Jeans | Silkscreen printing experience |
| Taiyaki Honpo | Open October 19 and 20 |
| Nakagiri residence parking lot | Rest area for a short break |
| Trattoria Homemade Soba Takenoya | Open from 4:30 p.m. |
| Kura Pura Wazen Fu | Open from 4:30 p.m. |
| trattoria MUSICA | Open from 4:30 p.m. |
| Wagaya | Open from 4:30 p.m. |
One place we especially recommend is the former Kajimaya Shiraishi Genjiro Store.
It used to be a hardware store, and only the garage remains today.
Neighborhood residents will bring together items from their storehouses here for a garage sale.
For example, old thread spools were reportedly stored away in the Uchida residence’s storehouse.
As well as being sold at the garage sale, the spools will be transformed into art objects and displayed at the venue.
Old photographs of Achi-cho will also be on display, offering a chance to reflect on life in the past.
Environmental considerations
Takahashi River Marché is committed to three eco-friendly practices.
- We will make this an event that is kind to people, the environment, and the community.
- We will reduce waste and recycle as much as possible.
- We will encourage the use of public transportation and bicycles.
Organic products are also central to the event’s concept.
It’s an environmentally friendly marché.
We spoke with executive committee representative Okano Chihiro about the features and philosophy of Takahashi River Marché.
Takahashi River Marché 2019 details
| Name | Takahashi River Marché 2019 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20, 2019, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Location | 3-21-31 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | Free admission |
| Website | Takahashi River Marché 2019 | Takahashigawa marche 2019 |
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