The Bizen Okayama Kyobashi Morning Market , held on the first Sunday of every month in Okayama City , attracts many people even before the sun rises, when it is still dark. Approximately 120 stores line the banks of the Asahikawa, selling mainly restaurants, fresh fruits, vegetables, colorful flowers, and more.
2025.09.12It's so popular that locals affectionately refer to it as "the crazy morning market where people line up from 5am," and popular stores sometimes sell out of their products by around 6:30am. In this article, we'll introduce the stores where we actually enjoyed a food tour, and explore the unique charm of the Bizen Okayama Kyobashi Morning Market, as well as the wonderful Japanese morning market culture that can be experienced there.
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Table of Contents
- What is Bizen Kyobashi Morning Market?
- Special events held twice a year
- Foodie Walking Tour #1: Authentic Belgian Waffles "Patrasche TBW"
- Foodie Walking Tour #2: Ohayo Dairy 's Nostalgic School Lunch Set
- Eat-and-walk gourmet ③: "Oniwara Oyadori Ogushi" - A popular choice for repeat customers
- Food on the go #4: Fluffy cream bun "Ebisu Pan"
- Experience 1: Beginners welcome! "Kyobashi Morning Market Canoeing Class"
- Experience 2: Prevent summer fatigue with moxibustion on the head "Bizen Hyakue Moxibustion"
- summary
What is Bizen Kyobashi Morning Market?
The Bizen Okayama Kyobashi Morning Market is a traditional morning market run by local people that began in 1989 (Heisei 1) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Okayama City government. It is currently run mainly by local residents, and with the desire to allow visitors to experience Japan's seasonal culture and events, they distribute seasonal items appropriate for that time of year for free each month in front of the tent at the operation Motobu.
When I visited in July to cover the event, bamboo leaves were being handed out to visitors in celebration of the Tanabata season, and the cool sounds of wind chimes filled the venue. Apparently, they also have bell crickets available in August, maple leaves in autumn, and amazake (a traditional Japanese hot drink) to warm the body in winter. One of the great attractions of Kyobashi Morning Market is that it's not just a place to shop, but a place where you can experience traditional Japanese culture up close.
Special events held twice a year
The first special event in 2025 featured an exhibition on Okayama's Japan Heritage (nationally recognized cultural assets and traditions with historical value in the region). The next event, scheduled for November, will be themed "Okayama's History," and will include an exhibition focusing on the ancient Kibi Kingdom period's kofun (the tombs of former kings), as well as events and workshops that children can enjoy.
Additionally, in August 2026, a related event is planned to be held in conjunction with the quadrennial tour of the Kinoshita Circus, one of the world's three major circuses and originating in Okayama. Expectations are high for a special collaboration with this international circus troupe, which is a source of local pride.
Foodie Walking Tour #1: Authentic Belgian Waffles "Patrasche TBW"
From here on, we will introduce the shops and products that we actually tried. This is a popular shop with an eye-catching "Authentic Belgian Waffles" flag. They offer a Toyotomi variety of waffles, and serve delicious, freshly made waffles after receiving an order.
The prices are very reasonable, with a plain waffle costing just 180 yen and an iced coffee costing 200 yen. They are usually found in a souvenir shop near the bus stop for Okayama's famous garden, Okayama Korakuen Garden. Even my two-year-old daughter ate it all, savoring it to the last bite.
Foodie Walking Tour #2: Ohayo Dairy 's Nostalgic School Lunch Set
How about some delicious, cold milk in the morning? Ohayo Dairy , headquartered in Okayama , set up a stall at the morning market and sold school lunch sets that bring back memories for many Japanese people. The set, which includes a glass bottle of milk and two deep-fried bread (sugar and kinako flavors), was priced at 500 yen.
The milk served at the morning market is Ohayo Milk, which is exclusively used in school lunches, and is a special product that can only be tasted at this morning market, outside of school lunches. It has a reputation for being "nostalgic" among Japanese people and "interesting" among foreign visitors tourists, and has become extremely popular with many repeat customers. The deep-fried bread is freshly baked by Tsumugi Koppe, a local koppepan specialty store, and is exquisite with its fluffy texture and gentle sweetness.
Eat-and-walk gourmet ③: "Oniwara Oyadori Ogushi" - A popular choice for repeat customers
Oniwara's Oyakodori Okushi (large skewer) (600 yen) has a firm, chewy texture and a concentrated flavor that will have you hooked. This is one of the popular restaurants that always has a long line.
My husband is a big fan of Oyadori Okushi and buys it every month without fail. He normally runs an izakaya (traditional Japanese restaurant) in Higashi Ward, Okayama City, so being able to enjoy professional-quality food at morning market prices is also appealing.
Food on the go #4: Fluffy cream bun "Ebisu Pan"
"Ebisu Pan" is a bakery in Soja City that sells only cream buns at the Kyobashi Morning Market. They have a Toyotomi of flavors, including plain, matcha, banana, and cafe au lait. Their cream buns are fluffy and have a gentle sweetness that makes them so delicious you'll want to eat several. They also use no margarine or yeast food (chemical additives) and are committed to using healthy manufacturing methods.
Experience 1: Beginners welcome! "Kyobashi Morning Market Canoeing Class"
You can also enjoy canoeing on the Asahikawa River riverbed west of Kyobashi, where the morning market is held. It's easy enough for beginners to try, and is very popular with families and young people. Children over 110cm tall can try it.
It is rare to find a place in Okayama City where you can canoe, and the view of Okayama Castle from the water is a special sight that is very popular with tourists. You can enjoy a canoeing experience for 1,000 yen per person (30 minutes). *Canoeing experience period is from April to October.
Experience 2: Prevent summer fatigue with moxibustion on the head "Bizen Hyakue Moxibustion"
At first, I was a little surprised to see adults wearing ceramic hats on their heads, and stopped in my tracks. As I listened to what they had to say, I learned that they were offering a free trial of Bizen Moxibustion, in which a special plate made from Bizen Pottery , a traditional Okayama craft, is placed on the head and moxibustion is applied to the Hyakue pressure point on the top of the head.
This experience is a traditional health method that is said to be effective in recovering from fatigue by promoting blood circulation, raising body temperature, and promoting good sleep. It is also a valuable opportunity for foreign visitors tourists to experience a unique health culture.
summary
Although we couldn't cover everything in this article, shops selling tofu donuts, ramen, pork buns, curry, and more were so popular that they had long lines. A volunteer we spoke to described it as "a crazy morning market where people line up from 5am," and we can safely say that the Bizen Okayama Kyobashi Morning Market is the most lively morning market in Okayama Prefecture.
With the local soccer team, Fagiano OKAYAMA, being promoted to J1, the number of tourists from other prefectures has increased, and we are also seeing many foreign visitors tourists.
The biggest appeal of the Bizen Okayama Kyobashi Morning Market is its diverse selection of over 100 stores, Toyotomi food and drink options, and the ability to purchase fresh vegetables and fruits at reasonable prices. Above all, the warm feelings of the local volunteers who support the market's operation, who want as many people as possible to experience Japanese culture, make this morning market a special place.
Get up a little early on the first Sunday of every month and visit Okayama's vibrant morning market. It's sure to be an unforgettable Japanese morning experience.
[Bizen Okayama Kyobashi Morning Market]
Dates: First Sunday of every month (second Sunday in January), End of the year: December 29th (13 times a year)
Event time: 5:00-10:00
Location: Kyobashicho, Kita-ku, Okayama Prefecture Okayama City , Okayama Kita Ward, Asahikawa Riverside Square at the west end of Kyobashi Bridge, and the green area along the bank
TEL: 086-231-9373 (Kyobashi Morning Market Executive Committee)
Parking: Use nearby paid parking lots
*In the summer, stores start closing around 8pm, and some stores start closing at 9am.
*The stores introduced here may not be open at all times.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.