[Himeji City] Take a walk, chat, and shop at the "Old Market Kisaki Morning Market" on the 3rd Saturday of the month

• Table of Contents
• A new culture emerges in the once-bustling “old city”
• The morning market provides an opportunity to experience the culture of the old market.
• Add a little bit of specialness to your everyday life
• Let's chat, shop, and walk through the morning market
• Children can also experience “shopping at the market”
• face-to-face communication
• Useful information
• basic information

A new culture emerges in the once-bustling “old city”

A lively Showa market scene (Photo: Unoichi Segawa)

A little west of Himeji Station. There is an area lined with retro shops such as greengrocers, candy stores, and toy stores. It once flourished as a wholesale market with more than 200 stores, but with the passage of time it has declined and the number of vacant stores has increased. Even though it is close to the station, there are fewer people.

The current “Old City” retains traces of the Showa era

Sogihara Seika, which has been in business for three generations, says, ``We're open from 4 a.m.''

However, the culture of the market continues to this day, and it is affectionately known as the "Old Market" by its neighbors. A new culture is now taking root in the old city.

This is the ``Old Market Kisaki Morning Market,'' which started in December last year. This is an initiative in which store owners who have been operating their stores for a long time continue to operate as usual, while store owners who normally operate elsewhere open a store in front of their storefront. A steering committee was formed by young people who love this town, and the event is held regularly on the third Saturday morning of each month.

The morning market provides an opportunity to experience the culture of the old market.

Yuri Tsuchida talking with customers at the morning market

Yuri Tsuchida, one of the management members, says: ``This town is characterized by its retro townscape and unique business hours that start early in the morning.Also, there are store owners who have been connoisseurs for 50 years, and they think, ``If you buy from this person, you can't go wrong'' or ``I'll buy from this person.'' There's a culture there.Unlike at a supermarket, you can't shop without talking to the store owner, so you might feel a bit reluctant, but it's actually quite interesting when you talk to them.

I like the old city, so I want all kinds of people to come and talk to the people in the town. The morning market is an opportunity for people to learn about the old market." If you go to the supermarket, you can get all your daily necessities in one go, and conversations with other people are minimal. However, shopping by ``buying from this person'' comes with added value, such as the peace of mind of seeing the seller's face and the exchange of local information.

Mr. Tsuchida and his husband, Mr. Shohei, in front of

Mr. Tsuchida became familiar with the old city after attending the ``1st Renovation School'' sponsored by Himeji City. The school, which promotes urban development in the station-west area, considers ways to utilize idle real estate such as vacant stores and proposes ways to utilize them to owners.

The property Mr. Tsuchida was in charge of was Kamata Shoten, a hardware store that was considering closing at the time. Mr. Tsuchida, who was interested in selling products, succeeded the Kamatas as the store owner in January 2022.

By renovating the interior and adding new things to inherited products, he himself seems to be trying to make people see the value in ``buying from this person.''

Add a little bit of specialness to your everyday life

The author visited the morning market on May 20th.

Among the renovation school students who shared the same thoughts as Tsuchida, a desire to revitalize the area grew and a steering committee was formed.

"I've never hosted an event myself, and I'm not a part-timer. But I thought I'd have to give it a try." The morning market got underway with vendors who agreed with Tsuchida and the management members' ideas.

Regular customers and people visiting the morning market shop in the same eaves.

The morning market is held according to the time axis of the old market. “It adds a little bit of specialness to everyday life, turning it into an event,” says Tsuchida. Rather than changing the old landscape, we overlay it with a new landscape that blends in with it. That is what this morning market is all about.

Let's chat, shop, and walk through the morning market

Live violin music lights up Saturday mornings

Now, let's take a walk through the morning market.

There are about 20 shops, including existing shops and shops set up for the morning market, gathered in a small area. Previous days of the event had been rainy and cloudy, but on this day we were blessed with good weather for the first time in a while.

Usual rice behavior. People gather around the time the food is cooked.

The author was also kindly received.

When I looked into the crowd in front of Kamata Shoten, I saw Mr. Tsuchida serving rice cooked in a clay pot. Other rice comes with gifts from each restaurant owner, such as seaweed, rakkyo, salad, radish pickled in oil, and grilled pork.

Many people reached out for this luxurious morning plate, and the earthenware pot was empty in no time.

“Ichi Bike” was unveiled on this day. Hyutti (right), a mobile vendor selling chai and other goods on a loading platform, and Kisai (center back), a manufacturer of fixtures.

The ``Ichi Bike,'' an old-fashioned bicycle equipped with box-shaped fixtures, made its debut on this day. A bicycle that was discarded due to the relocation of the former Himeji City Central Wholesale Market has been transformed into a fine cargo bike by the bicycle shop Aya Bikes and the woodworker Mokusai.

This time, the company that was using Ichibike to serve chai and sell baked goods was . Bicycles carrying luggage and running around fit well into the market landscape. ``I hope more people will use and sell Ichibikes in the future,'' says Tsuchida.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next time.

Madam enjoying a curry plate from Hone Curry and hot coffee from Green Hands Coffee. A nice smile when you look at the camera

Sharing South Indian masala dosa by Chakrabar with parents and children

Baked sweets from Munya that I purchased. A late Mother's Day gift

Many people came to see the vendors, and ``Share Kitchen Awaawa,'' located in an alley one street south of the main street, was also busy.

Wear a tulip hat from Kabu Ruya and enjoy some high cheese. I found people wearing tulip hats all over the street.

Take your dog for a walk

In front of the Toy Tsuchida, picture books will be read aloud by Minan Kobunko.

There are some shops and scenery that I can't introduce here, but did you get the feeling of walking through the morning market? Chatting with shopkeepers, shopping, chatting with customers who were also sitting in front of the eaves, filling your stomach... If you stop here and there, you won't be able to move forward (lol) That's what the morning market is all about. That's the real thrill.

Children can also experience “shopping at the market”

Leather craft experience. The way he looks at his hands is serious.

The morning market also has programs that children can enjoy.

This time, volunteer group Himeji Base and Tomarie, a Himeji leather company, are collaborating to hold a workshop where you can experience shopping while conversing with connoisseurs of shop owners. The idea was to make a triangular coin case out of Himeji leather, put a 500 yen coin in it, and go shopping at the market.

We will make a coin case using tools while being taught by Mr. Akamatsu, the owner of Tomarie shop.

Carry the completed coin case and stamp card around your neck and head out to the market.

Shopping while parents and Himeji Base members watched. What can you buy for 500 yen?

A boy poses with a sword he got from a toy. Making the coin case was also ``fun!'' and was very happy.

There was a slightly anxious expression before talking to the shop owner, and an expression filled with a sense of accomplishment after being able to shop. The sight of the children struggling to run errands must have been a heartwarming sight for those who visited the morning market.

Mr. Akamatsu (left), like Mr. Tsuchida, was a student at the first renovation school.

Mr. Akamatsu from Tomarie and members of Himeji Base are both members of the morning market management committee. Mr. Akamatsu, who has been involved with children since his student days by running free schools, says, ``I want children to have a variety of options.''

Fascinated by leather, he opened Tomalie three years ago, where you can experience authentic leather crafting. I also serve as the chairman of the local community development council, which aims to enhance the appeal of my hometown, Himeji.

A member of Himeji Base says, ``I like Station West and I like interesting things.'' From the right: Mr. Matsui, Mr. Miki, Mr. Matsuoka, and Mr. Fujii.

On the other hand, Himeji Base is a group made up of members who hit it off at the 2nd Renovation School. Starting in May 2022, we have been holding irregular events that utilize children's creativity and independence based under the former monorail pier.

``We do activities such as exploring the town and doing Ishikoro art to help people learn about the area while having fun,'' says Miki. At the morning market, we hold workshops for children every time.

face-to-face communication

Retro and pop morning market flyer

The morning market was held for the 6th time in May. ``There are some issues, such as not having a signboard and ways to spread awareness, but I think it's important to continue this every month,'' says Tsuchida. There is also joy in the fact that we have continued our efforts.

``The number of shops that are offering ate in addition to their traditional meal has increased.Some shops are offering ate for the first time this time.I would be happy if people found meaning in the morning market.''

Mr. Matsuoka of Himeji Base says, ``Everyone in the old market and those involved in the morning market are kind. That's why we're able to continue our activities.''

A customer on a bicycle chats with the shop owner outside the eaves. Daily life in the old city

Nowadays you can shop without having to meet anyone. In addition, since the coronavirus pandemic, face-to-face interactions have decreased considerably. That's why I feel a sense of warmth and security in face-to-face communication.

The morning market is the culmination of the thoughts of people who love Eki Nishi and met at the renovation school. As the event continues, it will become part of the local culture.

The next event will be held on Saturday, June 17th. Please wake up early and visit us.

(as a writer)

*This article is information as of May 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may change.

Useful information

Baggage storage service

Would you like to sightsee empty-handed?

basic information

Kisaki morning market in the old market

Date and time: 9:00-11:00 on the third Saturday of every month

Location: Old city area (around Shinobu-cho, Himeji city)

Access: 5 minutes walk west from Himeji Station

Parking: Please use nearby coin parking.

SNS: Instagram

*Please check Instagram for vendor information and the contents of children's workshops (charged).