Features
Features
- 2024.6.16
- Shop & Souvenir
If the weather is perfect for going out, head to "Ikegami Weather"! We recommend a relaxing holiday spent at the market
In mid-June, when summer was just around the corner and I wanted to relax on my day off, I searched for events near my house that I could enjoy and found an event called "Ikegamibiyori." The concept is "a market that connects the shopping district and the town without trying too hard." It was perfect for my current mood, as I wanted a day off that didn't require too much effort!
Contrary to the forecast of rain, today is a perfect day for going out as the sun is beginning to shine, so I decided to go and check out Ikegami Weather.
What kind of event is "Ikegami Weather"?
"Ikegami Weather" is a market event held at Ikegami Honmonji Temple in the Ikegami district of Ota Ward. It is held on the third Sunday of March, June, September, and December. It is held four times a year. This year (June 3) will be the fourth time, and it seems to be becoming a regular event in Ikegami.
A total of 27 stores will be participating. 13 stores are from Ota Ward and 14 stores are from outside Ota Ward (as of June 2024). Stores are selected by lottery, so you can discover new stores every time. Ikegami Weather sells not only food and drink stalls, but also a variety of items such as miscellaneous goods, clothing, and tableware, making it an exciting event every time, wondering, "What kind of stores will there be this time?"
From Ikegami Station, the lively Marche draws you to "Ikegami Weather"
We arrived at Ikegami Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line, the closest station to Ikegami Biyori. The station building, which was just rebuilt in 2021, is shiny and cool!
Once you exit the ticket gate, you'll see the sign "Ikegami Honmonji" everywhere, to the right and to the left! It's impossible to get lost. Follow the signs.
On Honmonji Street, which leads to Ikegami Honmonji Temple, there are many shops selling Ikegami's specialty, "Kuzumochi." After shopping at the market, it might be fun to go around the Kuzumochi shops. The following article also covers the Kuzumochi shop in front of Ikegami Honmonji Temple.
As I walked along Honmonji-dori and crossed the Nomigawa River, I was greeted by a colorful "Ikegami Weather" banner! The font and colors of the letters were somehow relaxed and cute.
Wow!! There were already this many people there at 10am!
The area in front of Honmonji Temple's main gate was already bustling with customers and colorful displays. It seemed like most of the customers were people who had come with their children or who had come while walking their dogs. The relaxed atmosphere meant that you could just drop in in your everyday clothes, which is exactly what you'd expect from a "no-trying-too-much marche"!
Many customers come from the neighborhood, but of course anyone can participate from anywhere. You can get an easy-to-understand map of the market at the entrance, so even first-timers can feel at ease.
The information is packed with details about each store's characteristics and unique features. Now, where should I go...?
A shop that conveys the charm of Ikegami and Ota Ward
At Ikegami Weather, 13 stores from Ota Ward, including Ikegami, are participating. This time, we stopped by four of them!
1. Standing Drinking Suzuyo
Address: 3-1-4 Omorikita, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Access: 8 minutes on foot from JR Keihin Tohoku Line "Omori" station, XNUMX minutes on foot from Keikyu Line "Omori Kaigan" station
Official Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/oomorikita314/
After walking from Ikegami Station, my sweaty body was soaked in ice-cold Ramune! It's hard to resist gulping down the traditional, unchanging flavor.
Speaking of Ramune, when you open the bottle, you can't help but notice the fizzing sound that erupts! Am I the only one who feels like summer has begun the moment I open it?
"Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, I wanted to try selling outside the store, so I decided to participate!"
The staff at "Tachinomi Suzuyo" answered with cheerful smiles. They usually run a standing bar in Omori that specializes in bottled drinks.
By the way, he has applied to "Ikegami Weather" every time since the first event, but this is his long-awaited first time participating! I heard other stores say, "I finally got in!" It seems to be very popular among exhibitors too...!
2. Surugaya Store
Address: 3-29-16 Ikegami, Ota-ku
Access: Approximately 5 minutes walk from Tokyu Ikegami Line “Ikegami” station
TEL: 03-3751-4561
Official site:https://lilikanbutsu.theshop.jp/
"At first you might think, 'I can't taste anything.' But after a month of eating it, your sense of taste will become more sensitive, and you'll be able to detect delicate umami flavors!"
The person who told us about the new product "Drinkable Dashi" was the third generation owner of Surugaya Shoten, who is also a certified dashi sommelier. Surugaya Shoten is a long-established dried food store that has been in business in Ikegami for 3 years.
The owner, who was born and raised in Ikegami, thinks that the charm of Ikegami is "its atmosphere and accessibility." Ikegami is a peaceful town with many temples and shrines, centered around Honmonji Temple, and greenery, while also offering easy access to Kamata, Shinagawa, Yokohama, and other areas. "It's an easy place to live, so there's no need to move," he says. Coming from someone who has known Ikegami since birth, that's very convincing. I envy those who were born in Ikegami...
3. Ippo and Sho
Among the many restaurants, general stores, and other shops, Ippo to Sho stands out from the crowd. It offers a calligraphy experience where you can write your favorite characters on wooden key chains and daruma dolls.
I haven't done calligraphy since elementary school... I'm not confident, but I'll give it a try!
From the sample, I chose the character "心" (heart). I practiced writing it on calligraphy paper while looking at the sample, and then copied it onto a wooden keychain. I was nervous...!
Just when I was about to give up, thinking, "I guess my handwriting is just terrible," a former calligraphy teacher who now teaches calligraphy at a children's center in Ota Ward encouraged me.
"Let's go boldly and confidently!" "Be confident!" "I think the best time is when you're performing for real!"
I'm so happy... As a working adult, I don't often get the chance to be praised, so I was touched by the kindness of the teacher who praised me so openly. If I learned calligraphy from a teacher like this, I think I'd grow to love my own handwriting...!
If you are not confident in writing it yourself, you can ask a teacher to write it for you. The teacher wrote the character "縁" (connection) for us. It was impressive that he wrote it in one go without any practice.
I hope that she will continue to teach many children the joy of calligraphy with her cheerful smile!
4. Cafe & Bar BLANCHE
Address: TIFFANY132 Room 201, XNUMX-XNUMX-XNUMX Kamiikedai, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2 minutes on foot from Nagahara Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line
TEL: 03-6425-7227
Official site:https://blanche-dolce.studio.site/
Cafe&Bar BLANCHE, located in Nagahara, was a gorgeous stall with a rich repertoire. It is a cafe and bar with the concept of "brunch like a dolce."
So cute! There were quiches lined up that looked like cakes. If you line up six pieces, you can make a whole cake, so it's apparently a popular gift for people who don't like sweet cakes. I like sweet cakes, but I'd like to try this one too!
In fact, this booth was a joint venture between three businesses: Cafe & Bar BLANCHE, which sells quiche, its sister bagel shop, and an accessories store opened by a former employee. It's wonderful to see the relationship that continues even after the two have left the store!
Attractive shops from outside Ota Ward will also be participating
Although "Ikegami Weather" is a community-based event, it is characterized by the fact that many stores from outside Ota Ward participated. A total of 14 stores participated, from Yamagata Prefecture in the north to Kagoshima Prefecture in the south! This time, we will introduce three of them.
1. Organic Ginger Specialty Store Land i Leben (Soka City, Saitama Prefecture)
* Currently exhibiting at events in various locations, mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area
Online Market:https://minne.com/@kyykkabc
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gingertingerman/
"The ginger ale at the market across the street was delicious!"
I received some useful information from the staff at Cafe & Bar BLANCHE, which I visited earlier. The happy atmosphere of the Marche, where the shops respect each other, is great. I have to go!
At "Land i Leben," a shop that specializes in organically grown ginger, I ordered ginger ale, of course. I asked them to pour it to the brim, so that the grated ginger overflowed. It was a refreshing and easy-to-drink drink that retained the flavor and texture of ginger!
The store manager has been involved in making ginger ale since his student days, and has been fascinated by ginger. He has been in business with the farmers who grow "Limit-Breaking Ginger" in Ootoyo Town, a marginal village in Kochi Prefecture, for over 10 years.
I managed to take some photos of you in between the busy schedules that you were doing alone. The pose you struck in an instant was perfect! Thank you!
2. Cha no Ri (Toshima-ku, Tokyo)
Address: 3-17-13-201 Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
(Not available in stores. Available at events and online only.)
TEL: 080-3055-9501
Official site:https://chanori.base.shop/
Official Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chanori_tokyo/?hl=ja
Chanori is a Japanese tea select shop in Toshima Ward that operates an online store. After the COVID-19 pandemic ended, they realized the appeal of face-to-face sales and have been proactively setting up shop at various markets.
"The reason I decided to participate in Ikegami Weather was because of the carefulness of the lives of the people of Ikegami. I experienced it firsthand when I was working in Ikegami for another job. As Charinouri promotes the appeal of tea brewed in a teapot, I thought Ikegami, where many people seem to use teapots, would be the perfect place," he said, explaining his reasons for participating.
I tend to rely on cold-brewed tea, but apparently even iced green tea has a completely different aroma depending on whether it's brewed in cold water or in a teapot.
I actually tried it! I definitely feel that the flavor and crispness is different... It was refreshing and welcomed at lunchtime when the sun was shining.
3. Dinosaur Hunter (Area87 Co., Ltd./Machida, Tokyo)
Address: Machida AXIS3, 11-9-101 Asahimachi, Machida, Tokyo
(Not available in stores. Available at events and online only.)
TEL: 042-851-8152
Official site:https://area87.design/
*Dinosaur hunter dedicated page:https://area87.design/dinosaurhunter/
The last thing we'll introduce is the shooting gallery! The market also had festival activities that children love.
"Dinosaur Hunter" is a shooting gallery run by a design company. You can shoot down dinosaur targets with a toy rifle, designed by the president, who is a dinosaur fan.
I defeated three of them! It seems that many children can defeat them all, and in the "Perfect 3 Defeat Award" you can choose the rifle used in the shooting gallery as a prize. I wanted it so badly...!
"We set up stalls at various festivals, but the atmosphere at a marche is completely different. It's fun because there are a wide variety of shops that you don't see at festivals," said a staff member, enjoying the unique atmosphere of a marche.
Weather in Ikegami
Location: 1-1-1 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ikegami Honmonji Temple Main Gate Plaza (outdoors)
Access: 10 minutes walk from Ikegami Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line
Dates: The third Sunday of March, June, September, and December
Time: 10:00-15:00
https://ikeshoren.jp/ikegamibiyori/
If you come to the Marche, head up Kyonanjizaka to Ikegami Honmonji Temple!
If you've toured the market, your final stop should be Ikegami Honmonji Temple. It is located at the top of the Shikyo Nanjizaka hill, which has 96 towering stone steps.
As I climbed the stairs, I felt myself moving away from the hustle and bustle of the market, the atmosphere gradually changing, and I was enveloped in the solemn atmosphere of the temple.
Looking back at the Marche from the top of Keinanjizaka, it appears quite far away.
Ikegami Honmonji Temple is so vast that there are so many things to see that I can't write about them all here. Among them, here is a view spot that took my breath away when I actually went there. It is the five-story pagoda that can be seen from the adjacent Ikegami Kaikan Observatory. It was like a painting. I would like to go there during the cherry blossom and autumn leaves seasons.
Ikegami Honmonji Temple
Location: 1-1-1 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Access: 10 minutes walk from Ikegami Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line
Phone: 03-3752-2331
https://honmonji.jp/index.html
Spend your day experiencing the relaxed and gentle atmosphere of Ikegami at "Ikegami Weather"
Everyone who attended the Marche said that "Ikegami has a great atmosphere." Perhaps the warm and friendly atmosphere created by the vendors and customers is what makes this a "Marché that doesn't try too hard."
The next "Ikegami Weather" will be held on Sunday, September 9th. If you feel tired from playing in the downtown area or at leisure, why not drop by the Marche and take your time?
In addition, the area known as "Maisen," which includes Ikegami, Magome, and Senzoku, is filled with temples and nature, making it the perfect place to refresh yourself. Taking a leisurely stroll around the area will surely enrich your "relaxed day off."
Writer of this article: Azumi Yasumitsu
profile:
Freelance writer living in Ota Ward. After gaining experience as a salesman and director at an advertising agency, he became independent as a writer. She is also updating notes under the name of "Bocchi no Azumi". He likes traveling alone, walking along the streets, and visiting shrines. My favorite spot in Ota Ward is Omori Furusato no Hamabe Park. He has continued to come here many times since moving to Ota Ward.
Supervision: Satomi Matsumoto/Jun Miyoshi