We went to Tsunashima’s autumn “Yomise” night stalls: food stalls lining the street by the west exit, kids in costumes, and a peek at Shin-Tsunashima MICCA

On the evening of Saturday, October 31, we headed to the west exit of Tsunashima Station for the autumn “Yomise” night stalls (our article on the dates and place). It had been postponed a week because of a rain forecast, and perhaps that’s why so many people had been waiting for it: the moment we left the station, the lights of the stalls and a wave of people filled our view.

Faces of people in the photos are blurred with a mosaic.

What was it like?

From the station, stalls stretched along the shopping street as far as we could see.

The street by the west exit, with stall lights stretching far ahead

Takoyaki with a big red octopus sign, cotton candy with pink banners, chocolate bananas and potatoes with butter under yellow signs: all the festival classics were there, and just looking at the signs was fun.

Around the takoyaki stall, everyone walked slowly

At the corner by a fast-food restaurant stood a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki stall, and farther down there were candy apples and balloon fishing.

The Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki stall

The candy apple stall, with more stalls beyond

It was Halloween, and the “Halloween Costume Contest” was held on the same two days as the night stalls, so we saw kids and families in costumes everywhere. The area by the station had a festival feel completely different from a usual evening.

What did we eat?

We had actually spent the afternoon at the Kawasaki Citizens’ Festival (our report) and were quite full. At the night stalls, the only thing we ate was a “Paripari Tenjinyaki” from a shop by the station.

Paripari Tenjinyaki (¥580)

The thin, crepe-like wrap is crispy, with plenty of crunchy cabbage inside. You can hold it in one hand, perfect for eating while strolling past the stalls. There’s more in our Paripari Tenjinyaki article.

We also dropped by Shin-Tsunashima MICCA

On the way back, we stopped at Shin-Tsunashima MICCA, which opened on October 28. It’s within walking distance of Tsunashima Station and right by Shin-Tsunashima Station (our MICCA article).

The directory board at the entrance. Shops are in the old farmhouse “OMOYA” and in HANARE South and North

Under the darkening sky, the lit-up old farmhouse glowed softly, and we stopped in our tracks. It has a calm, lovely atmosphere you wouldn’t expect right by a station.

“OMOYA” at night, with gentle light from the noren and lanterns

Every shop was crowded that day, though, so this time we just enjoyed the atmosphere. We’ll come back another day to try the shops properly.

Can I still go tomorrow?

The night stalls are also open on Sunday, November 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The venue is around the west exit of Tsunashima Station, not the square in front of the former Ito-Yokado. It gets very crowded in the evening, so go while it’s still light if you want to look around at a relaxed pace.