Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

Hello. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
On 20th of this month, I went to "Nihonbashi Ebisu Lecture Bettara City", which was introduced by senior correspondent Shiba Inu.
I was learning about Betara City in the official text of the Chuo-ku Tourism Certification, but
This is the first time I actually went to see it!
I read the news that a very large number of people were expected and went to the site a little earlier, and it was already crowded with many people because it was the second day of the event.



There are many stalls that are often seen at festivals.
The most crowded place was the stalls pickled in Betara.
In the first place, Betazuke is a shallow salted radish pickled on a rice koji floor.
It is a traditional food that has been eaten since the Edo period.



It seems that the fifteenth general Yoshinobu Tokugawa also liked to eat it.
When we think that we are talking about the same thing in modern times, it feels strange.
At the store, you can sample pickled vegetables, etc.
It's fun to go around multiple stores to find your favorite pickles.



When I went around the shop while actually tasting, I was worried about two things.
The first is that no shop should cut the pickles and bag them.
Even though it is soft, it is difficult to bring one radish back as it is.
I was thinking, "I'm somewhat unfriendly."
Actually, there was a great reason to give it without cutting it.
The reason for this is that "betara pickles are lucky items, so I don't cut them."
If you say that, it's a bit hard to bring it home, but I want you not to cut it!



The second is that there are "skin" and "no skin" in Betta pickles.
It's literally the difference between whether the skin is attached or not.
The one with the skin is chewy and has a texture close to Sawaan.
According to the shop, it seems that people without skin have been around since the Edo period.



And there is also a Yu-Pack service that is good for those who buy Betara pickles for adults and those who come from a distance by train!
Why don't you use it when purchasing a lot?



In the Edo period, there was a custom in which Ebisu-ko was held in front of Takarada Ebisu Shrine Gate on October 20. At an event dedicated to Ebisu, the god of commerce and agriculture, he offered lucky items to pray for thriving business.
Today, vermilion seal stamp can be held only during the New Year's Day and Betara City, so many people gather at the shrine and enjoy the atmosphere of the place while thinking, "Is it so crowded at that time?"



Also, if you jump out of the venue of Bettara City and walk around the town of Nihonbashi, you will find it.
The "He" of "Nippon Nihonbashi Karuta" depicted in the enclosure of the construction being carried out at the site of the Nittetsu Nihonbashi Building.
I realized that it was about Betara City!



Let's touch the sleeves of people who go to the city.

Because I carried it with just tying the radish with a rope, I carried it around.
It is a content that reminds me of the origin of Betazuke, which has come to be called "Betazuke" because it inadvertently scratched the clothes of other people.

For women who pass through pickle so that they don't want to keep their kimono dirty.
During the Edo period, when there was a man who was interesting and tried to put on the ground on purpose....
In today's Betara city (unfortunately?) There is no such man, but
If you missed your chance this year, why not come and play next year?