Event Announcement

How is your 2026 going so far?
This February, the city of Arao in northern Kumamoto is hosting a fantastic two-day family event packed with delicious food, hands-on experiences, and unique shopping!

The event is called “Arao Family Festa”
Visitors can enjoy adorable baby crawling and toddling races (with prizes for every participant!), a rare chance to play a grand piano on the main hall stage, photo booths, creative workshops, and tasty gourmet treats — there’s something for everyone!
Arao City’s beloved mascot character, Majakkii, will also be making a special appearance to greet families!

With special vendors coming all the way from neighboring Fukuoka Prefecture and even some “secret” surprise booths, you might just discover something unforgettable during these two days!
Best of all, most activities are held indoors, so you can relax and enjoy the day regardless of the weather or winter chill.
A fun stamp rally will run on both days!
Make one purchase or join one activity at any participating booth to receive either a signature or a stamp.

Once you’ve collected five, bring your card to the reception desk on the second floor.
You’ll exchange it for a guaranteed-win lottery draw — no losing tickets here!

It’s a great chance to win prizes from booths you’ve been eyeing, or to score that item you’ve had your heart set on!
The lottery ends once all prizes are claimed, so don’t miss out.

Date & Venue

Dates: Saturday, February 14 & Sunday, February 15, 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Arao Sogo Bunka Center (Arao General Cultural Center)

Baby Crawling Race & Toddler Race

Get ready for the heart-meltingly cute Baby Crawling Race and Toddler Race — every participant receives a prize!
The winners of each race will receive a 500 yen coupon to use at the marche (excluding photo booth services)!
Moms and dads, prepare to cheer with all your might!

・Baby Crawling Race (Both Days)
Registration: 10:05 – 10:20 AM
Start: 10:30 AM

・Toddler Race (Both Days)
Registration: 1:00 – 1:20 PM
Start: 1:30 PM
〈Location〉 Main Hall Foyer
〈Entry Fee〉 300 yen
〈Participant Prize〉 Certificate + 1 pack of baby wipes
〈How to Apply〉 Advance reservation required — limited to 16 pairs per day.
Apply via DM on the Acchi-Kocchi Marche Instagram.

Arakaru Piano Experience

Step onto the stage of Arao Cultural Center’s Main Hall and play a real grand piano!
Whether you’ve never touched a piano before or you’re a seasoned player, everyone is welcome!
It’s a rare and unforgettable opportunity to perform on a professional concert stage.

〈Date & Time〉 Saturday, February 14, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
〈Location〉 Main Hall
〈Fee〉 Free
〈Reservation〉 Not required
Each group gets 15 minutes on a rotating basis.
No advance booking needed — just stop by on the day and enjoy the music!

Arakaru NEXT Generation LIVE

Music, dance, theater, poetry readings…
A dazzling performance LIVE showcasing budding talent from across the region!
Come enjoy inspiring stage performances by the next generation of artists from the Arao area!

〈Date & Time〉 Sunday, February 15, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
〈Location〉 Outdoor Stage (Main Hall in case of rain)
Free to watch! You’re guaranteed to leave feeling uplifted and inspired by these young performers chasing their dreams!

Workshops

〈Conference Rooms 1 & 2〉
・Bre Flower (Colorful kokedama moss balls)
・Yuki’s choice (Resin accessories)
・N✾SALON (Ear acupressure jewelry) ★Fukuoka Prefecture
・Kotori (Felt & rosette workshop) ★Fukuoka Prefecture
・Hanasaku Saihouya (Card readings & handmade goods) ★Fukuoka Prefecture

〈Main Hall Foyer〉
・Tegata Art pettan (Handprint art workshop)

〈Near Main Entrance〉
・Nancy’s House (Surprise content on the day) ★Fukuoka Prefecture

〈Multipurpose Room〉
・coomelia (Fir tree camera workshop) ★Feb 14 only
・momotto (Macacolon workshop) ★Feb 14 only
・Anna’s Portrait Shop (Caricatures, face & body painting) ★Feb 14 only
・Loumiu (Baby teether workshop) ★Feb 14 only
・Hanakobo Ajisai (Miniature garden workshop) ★Feb 15 only

Shopping & Photo Booths

〈Conference Rooms 1 & 2〉
・Hidamari (Finger-knitted accessories & workshops)
・monko (Wool felt straps)
・IrisO (Natural stone accessories)
・Kirie Chobi (Paper-cut accessories)
・Waraku (Cloth goods & sundries) ★Feb 15 only

〈In Front of Main Entrance〉
・Yuka and MANA (Fossil lottery)
・Smile Heart (Toy lottery festival booth)
〈Multipurpose Room〉
・ichicoco (Baby & kids cloth goods, workshops) ★Feb 14 only

〈Main Hall Foyer〉
・studio moon (Photo booth) ★Feb 14 only
・cocomelia (Photo booth) ★Feb 15 only
・Haru Photo (Photo booth) ★Feb 15 only

Food & Kitchen Cars

〈In Front of Main Entrance〉
・TORIKO (Yakitori grilled chicken skewers)
・Wabisabi (Charcoal-grilled sausages)
・Uchida Kikaku (Long fries)
・tabetemi10 (Charcoal-grilled chicken)

〈Multipurpose Room〉
・Yamaki Purin (Japanese-style pudding)
・Cotton Candy SuiSui (Cotton candy)
・Razuberi (Handmade sweets) ★Feb 15 only
〈North Parking Lot〉
・Good Luck (Roast beef rice bowls & sandwiches)
・ruri (Karaage Japanese fried chicken) ★Fukuoka Prefecture
・CO4KEL (Curry rice) ★Fukuoka Prefecture
・Ikayaki Johnny (Pressed grilled squid)
・Omuta Hanipote (Tsubo-yaki sweet potatoes) ★Fukuoka Prefecture
・FOOD TRUCK nap (Mixed noodles) ★Fukuoka Prefecture

About the Event

Dates: Saturday, February 14 & Sunday, February 15, 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Arao Sogo Bunka Center (Arao General Cultural Center)

【Organizers】 Arao General Cultural Center (Designated Manager: K-MIX Public Business Co., Ltd.) / Acchi-Kocchi Marche
【Supported by】 Arao City Board of Education

※Vendors and content may be subject to change without notice.

From hands-on experiences to delicious gourmet treats, this event is bursting with fun activities for the whole family!
With special vendors visiting from Fukuoka Prefecture and surprise “secret” booths, two unforgettable days await!

Since most booths are indoors, you can enjoy yourself comfortably regardless of the rain or cold winter weather.
From adorable baby crawling and toddler races to playing a grand piano in the Main Hall — this is a perfect day out for families visiting Kumamoto!

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