Let’s exercise with the “Fitness entertainer” with Himeji Castle in the background. Recommend having “Himeji Takoyaki (Octopus balls with sauce, served with soup to dip in) to feel energized!

  • Work out
  • The one and only
  • Tried
  • Hot spot for athletes
  • With the family
  • With the kids
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Hyogo Pref.
Let’s exercise with the “Fitness entertainer” with Himeji Castle in the background. Recommend having “Himeji Takoyaki (Octopus balls with sauce, served with soup to dip in) to feel energized!
Major renovation of Himeji Castle was finished in 2015. The scenery around Himeji station changed a lot at the same time.
New shopping mall and hotels have been built and an event space called “Himeji Kita Nigiwai Kouryu Hiroba” has been created near the station. The space attracts many people when there are buskers or pop-up market stalls. A man holds free-for-all event here once a month, “I want people to enjoy exercising to the fullest!” he says.
Mr. Noriaki Matsumoto, also known as NORI is working as a fitness instructor mainly in his hometown, Himeji City. He is also a “Fitness Comedian” and trying to win a prize in comedy competition every year. He named his event “Nori’s Parade” hoping that many people will be interested in the event. He named the event after his nickname, therefore, it doesn’t sound like a fitness event at all. He is “trying it”, by not clarifying the object on purpose, aiming to make people think outside the box about fitness.
It has been a year since he started the event neat the station. Nowadays, more and more people stop by and it seems the event is getting known as a monthly event.
<font color=blue size='2'>Photo in the middle: The man with a microphone is Mr. Matsumoto</font>
Photo in the middle: The man with a microphone is Mr. Matsumoto
At “Nori’s Parade” held on 20th December, people had a chance to try “Mölkky”, a Finnish game. Mölkky popuation is increasing little by little in Japan but it is stil little-known.
<font color=blue size='2'>Playing Mölkky</font>
Playing Mölkky
Mr. Matsumoto started playing Mölkky only about a month ago. He got addicted to Mölkky, it is fun and you can enjoy excercising, so he picked Mölkky for “Nori’s Parade” this time.
He let me try it. All you have to do is to hit the wooden target (pins) with a wooden throwing pin. I learned its rule quickly as I played. Towards the end of the game, there were moments I had to aim at just one pin. When I hit it, I threw my hands up in the air like a kid.
▶︎You can check the upcoming event schedule on Himeji City’s official website!
About use in a Himeji Station north crowd exchange square | Himeji city.

People call this “Takoyaki” in Himeji.

If you are exercising at “Nori’s Parade”, I recommend you popping into this shop to try local gourmet. The shop, “Tacopy”, is right beneath(basement) the event space.
People call this “Takoyaki” in Himeji. This is a local gourmet of Himeji, which people outside Himeji usually go “What? Why?”. In Himeji, it is common to eat octopus balls covered with sauce (tastes like thick Worcestershire sauce), with dipping soup.
Japanese style “Dashi (fish stock)” soup turns to sauce flavoured one gradually. People get addicted to this unusual flavour, and the shop is so popular that locals queue up before lunch time.

One to two minute walk from there, there is a bar where you can try Himeji’s local sake “Tatsuriki”.
▶︎To see the location of these two shops, check the website of “FESTA”, underground shopping area of Himeji station!

Anyone can easily participate in fitness, and eat and drink. So, they are the spots where you can enjoy sightseeing, gourmet and sports in Himeji way.

The sports and disciplines
of the World Masters
Games 2021 Kansai
held in the neighbourhood.

Daisuke MAZE
Introducing the poster

Daisuke MAZE

I like sports very much and I enjoy good cuisine! And I like going under the water even more! I am a scuba diving instructor, personal trainer, reporter from a local media, etc., I am an active person doing various things in Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture.
While I keep myself busy every day, I’m very serious about coffee, starting off with grinding beans and “organize” my mind.