The 42nd Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market Was Held!

(Commissioned article: written by Nozomi Takeuchi)

The 42nd Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market was held on July 22, July 29, and August 5. Returning after four years, the venue was packed with excitement!

People of all generations, from small children to adults, enjoyed the festival. Here we share an overview of the 42nd Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market and the scene at the venue!

What Is the Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market?

The Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market is a summer festival held in the Takatori Shopping Street and the Fujisaki-dori Shopping Street. Every year it is held for three days from the end of July into August. Because it takes place on Saturday evenings, it got the name “Saturday Night Market.”

As the fact that 2023 was the 42nd edition shows, it is a historic festival that has continued for more than 40 years. It was canceled from 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the 2023 festival was held for the first time in four years! Everyone seemed to have been waiting for it, and on the day an astonishing number of people came to the venue.

The History of the Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market

Among the shopping street’s festivals, the Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market is especially popular. Many of you may wonder, “Since when has it been such a popular festival?” So we asked Moriharu Irie, chairman (representative director) of the Takatori Shopping Street, to tell us about the festival’s history!

— Since when have so many people gathered at the Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market?

When I came to Takatori from Yame 36 years ago, the festival already existed in some form, but it was not yet as lively as it is now. However, we wanted to draw more people to Takatori and Fujisaki and bring them to life, so we tried many ways to liven up the festival, and after about ten years the crowds gradually grew.

— Please tell us about the efforts you made to attract more people.

We really tried all sorts of things. Every year after the festival we held a review meeting, and everyone seriously discussed the next year’s festival. For example, we came up with many ideas to make people think “I want to go to the festival!”, such as handing out flyers with a 50-yen coupon. We also kept up an effort to add one new game every year for ten years. Specifically, the members of the shopping street thought up various games, such as one where you could win a trip to Guam if you stacked 20 empty cans, and one where you drop a 1-yen coin into a rice bowl sunk in a water tank. The 1-yen coin game turned out to be surprisingly popular.

— Was there anything difficult about holding the festival?

Honestly, there was a lot that was hard. I had to prepare for the festival while working, and I always felt I did not have enough time. But I think the reason I could be so devoted was my love for the Takatori area and the shopping street. It is probably because of that love for Takatori that not only the people with shops in the shopping street but also everyone in the community cooperated so much. There were many things that did not go well, but I am very glad that, by running it with the thinking of “let’s fail as boldly as we can,” the festival has grown into one loved by everyone.

— Is there anything you are careful about when holding the festival?

Above all, making it a festival that children can enjoy. I am especially careful not to make it adult-oriented. In the Takatori Shopping Street we have always kept in mind that it should be “a festival that makes children happy.” When children go to the festival, not only their parents but also their grandparents come along to the shopping street. By making the festival centered on children, we wanted people of a wide range of ages to gather. I want to keep making it a festival where children can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

— How was this year’s festival?

Because it was the first time in four years, a great many people came. Seeing small children absorbed in scooping super balls and ring toss was heartwarming, and I felt very happy that we were able to hold it. We want to keep holding it, aiming for a festival where children can enjoy themselves with peace of mind.

The Scene at the 42nd Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market

From here, we introduce the scene on the day with photos!

The cotton candy stall that everyone loves. A long line formed, mainly of children.

In front of Fine Garden Takatori, where Takeru Eye Clinic is located, there was a super ball scooping game. Everyone tried hard to scoop as many super balls as possible!

Masks were popular with adults too. The cool staff members are exciting to see.

Especially popular was the stall of “Gokumi-ya.” People lined up all the way to the front of Fine Garden Takatori, and some menu items sold out shortly after 7 p.m.!

Stalls with typical festival fare, such as yakisoba and shaved ice, were also busy with crowds.

At Takeru Eye Clinic, we held a “Children’s Collage Workshop” led by the artist Natsuki Tsuji. We plan to frame the finished collages and display them!

The 42nd Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market, the first in four years, was a great success!

The 42nd Takatori-Fujisaki Saturday Night Market, held for the first time in four years. Many children in yukata were seen at the venue, and everyone enjoyed the festival to their heart’s content. We are already looking forward to next year!

(Article production: Nozomi Takeuchi)