This time, I would like to talk about the Bettara Market, which is held every year on October 19th and 20th around Takada Ebisu Shrine, which is within walking distance from Komiya Shoten.
Bettara Market is an annual festival where, as the name suggests, various shops line the streets, mainly those selling "Bettara Pickles."
It began in the mid-Edo period and was originally an annual festival to sell items such as Ebisu statues and magic mallets used in worshiping the god Ebisu. However, the Bettara pickles sold there gained a reputation for being delicious, and so the festival got its name.
Bettara-zuke is a sweet pickle made by soaking salted radish in a bed of rice koji.
At Bettara Market, they are not sold in the small packs you see at supermarkets, but rather are displayed in whole piles, and you can have them weighed on the spot before purchasing.
Some stores sell it cut into small pieces and offer samples, making it accessible even to first-time customers.
I also really like that you can choose between radishes with or without the skin.
The skin is on and the texture is so good that pickles lovers can't stop eating them, and they go great with rice.
Skinless tomatoes have a crunchy texture and absorb more flavor than those with the skin on, so I like to chop them finely and eat them in salads.
At the store where I bought it, I was also given some salted radish leaves as a bonus with the bettara pickles, which made me very happy.
That day, I ate it as it was with Bettara Pickles, and I soaked the rest in water for about half a day, then chopped it up and stir-fried (with sesame oil if you like), and it was very delicious.
This year the event was held on a weekday, so I went in the afternoon and was able to look around at a leisurely pace.
When I stopped by after work, the many lanterns lined up were lit up and the place was lively, creating a completely different scene from daytime.
And here is what I was looking forward to along with the Bettara pickles.
This is the "Bettara City Limited Goshuin" from Takada Ebisu Shrine.
This is something that can only be enjoyed during the two days that the Bettara Market is held.
The doors to the shrine were open, so we were able to see Ebisu inside.
By the way, Komiya Shoten's "Shosoin-tori Bag (S size)" can also be used as a goshuincho case.
It's the perfect size and is waterproof, so I recommend it.
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Next year's Bettara Market (October 19th and 20th, 2024) will be held on a Saturday and Sunday.
Komiya Shoten's Higashi-Nihonbashi shop is open from 10:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays, so please come and visit us.
