Autumn in Kurashiki is full of events.
On October 19 (Saturday) and 20 (Sunday), 2019, the market " Takahashi River Marche 2019," which gathered healthy and organic "food" and "living goods," was held.
The main venue is the nationally designated important cultural property "Ohashi House."
In 2019, nearby shops also joined in, enhancing the event.
We will introduce the "Takahashi River Marche," where you can enjoy shopping and workshops while feeling the local lifestyle and culture.
What is the Takahashi River Marche?
The Takahashi River Marche is a market that gathers healthy and organic food produced in various places in the Takahashi River basin, as well as miscellaneous goods, furniture, accessories, and art works that enrich daily life.
It started in 2012 and celebrated its 14th edition in 2019. (Initially held multiple times a year, it is now held once a year.)
The Takahashi River is a first-class river flowing through the western part of 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 referred to as the Takahashi River basin area.
The term "marche" comes from French and means "market."
The Takahashi River Marche is not just a miscellaneous market with everything available.
While the vendors change each time to keep repeat visitors entertained, a consistent lifestyle can be felt.
At the main venue, "Ohashi House," you can shop for items that enrich your life from a variety of stores.
Workshops will also be held.
When the author visited in the past, they purchased items such as sweets from a coffee shop, cake salé, potted succulents, rings made from deer antlers, rustic plates, and stylish soaps.
I look forward to meeting new shops and creators that I didn't know about.
Stores at Takahashi River Marche 2019
At the Takahashi River Marche 2019, eight food stores and 22 craft stores will set up shop at Ohashi House.
| Store Name | Overview |
|---|---|
| Dessert Time Kurashiki | Organic curry and drinks |
| Marubishi Co., Ltd. | From the Puchi Komachi series, natto bean tea, rooibos and adlay tea, dandelion tea, etc. |
| Kashi Kobo Komachi | Stylish and cute baked goods |
| Kurashiki Coffee House | Original blend coffee |
| Nanakusa Farm | High-quality organic vegetables |
| Kurashiki Nakajimaya | Artist works and organic cuisine |
| Traveling Farmer Farm | Traditional roasted bancha from Bichu |
| Boulangerie MaiMai | Rice flour bread |
| Glass Studio MIGAKI | Glass kagami mochi, etc. |
| Uchiyama Naoto | Accessories made from brass and silver |
| HiFuMi | Everyday clothing and accessories using natural dyes, re-dyeing orders + workshops |
| SIRUHA | Notebooks, bags, and small items |
| CLAY STUDIO GENN | Usable tableware |
| Tombodama Kobo MABO | Tombodama, handmade bead hairpins + workshops |
| BARREL FINE CLOTHING | BLENHEIM |
| Sakamoto Textile Co., Ltd. | Sanada cord and related products + workshops |
| la luce dolce | Candle art + workshops |
| Hanayoshi | Dry flower garlands, herbariums + workshops |
| KKD Labo | Alien kokeshi, wall clocks, etc. |
| KOHUG | Bags made from original textiles and leather |
| Tackle Wood Design | Stylish wooden items |
| Yoshino Pottery Studio | Pottery |
| Tomoshibi Glass | Polysilicate glass accessories, cups + workshops |
| Ujimune Mari (illustrator) | Exhibition of illustration works |
| Take Takae (copperplate printmaker) | Exhibition of copperplate print works |
| Inoue Junzo (painter) | Exhibition of paintings |
| Bolly Wood Workshop | Chopsticks, wooden small items |
| Kawatsuki Workshop | Wooden products + workshops |
| Ushijima Ikkei (lacquerware artist) | Lacquerware |
| forutuna | Scrap workshop * will set up at the neighborhood association venue |
What are the features of Takahashi River Marche 2019?
In 2019, it is a bit different from before.
The features are as follows.
- Involvement of people related to art, turning the venue into a gallery
- Collaboration with neighborhood associations in the Achi Town area, expanding the venue
Let me introduce it in a bit more detail.
The venue becomes a gallery with two artists
The venue will display works by two young artists with deep ties to Kurashiki.
- Illustrator Ujimune Mari from Mabi Town
- Copperplate printmaker Take Takae
At Ohashi House, an installation by the two artists (a method of expressing a space as a single work of art) is also planned.
Works will also be displayed at participating stores in the Achi Town area.
The poster features a new work created by Take-san themed around the Takahashi River Marche.
Exhibitions and garage sales held in the Achi Town area
Works by Ujimune-san and Take-san will be displayed at ten stores in the Achi Town area.
Additionally, three private homes will serve as venues for workshops.
The participating stores and homes in the Achi Town area are as follows.
| Store Name, etc. | Overview |
|---|---|
| Kajimaya Shiragami Genjiro Store Site | Café, garage sale, exhibition of old photos of Achi Town |
| Hayashi Residence | Gift of rhinoceros beetle larvae |
| Shijiseiya Ogawara Kimono Store | Exhibition of folding screens. Experience making Japanese cards or small envelopes |
| Uchida Residence | Enjoy the atmosphere of a tea ceremony in an old folk house |
| Candle Fairy | Experience making a unique handmade candle in an old folk house |
| Wool Miyake "Hirotaya" | Handmade hanger workshop |
| Kurashiki Jeans | Silk screen printing experience |
| Taiyaki Honpo | Open on October 19 and 20 |
| Nakagiri Residence Parking Lot | Rest area for a short break |
| Trattoria Jikaseisoba Takenoya | Open from 16:30 |
| Kura Pura Wazen Kaze | Open from 16:30 |
| Trattoria MUSICA | Open from 16:30 |
| Wagaya | Open from 16:30 |
Particularly noteworthy is the "Kajimaya Shiragami Genjiro Store Site."
This was once a hardware store, and now only the garage remains.
Here, items from neighborhood association members will be gathered for a garage sale.
For example, at the Uchida Residence, it is said that old spools were sleeping in the storehouse.
These spools will not only be sold at the garage sale but will also be transformed into art objects and displayed at the venue.
Old photos of Achi Town will also be exhibited, so why not reflect on life in the past?
Consideration for the environment
The Takahashi River Marche is engaged in three eco-activities.
- We will make the event friendly 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.
The items for sale are also based on the concept of being organic.
It is an environmentally friendly marche.
I spoke with Tomohiro Okano, the representative of the executive committee, about the features and thoughts behind the Takahashi River Marche.
Data of Takahashi River Marche 2019
| Name | Takahashi River Marche 2019 |
|---|---|
| Date | October 19 (Saturday) and 20 (Sunday), 2019, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Location | 3-21-31 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (tax included) | Free admission |
| Website | Takahashi River Marche 2019 |
