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The Bettara-ichi is an annual festival held on October 19th and 20th, around the Takarada Ebisu Shrine and Suginomori Shrine, where a type of pickled radish called Bettara-zuke is sold. While many people think of pickled radish as takuan, which is salty, Bettara-zuke is characterized by its sweetness. It is one of Tokyo’s specialties and can be considered a food that embodies the flavors of Tokyo. The name "Bettara" is thought to come from its sticky texture, which can easily cling to clothing if touched. Among the festivals in Chuo Ward, this one features a large number of stalls, with hundreds of stalls selling Bettara-zuke and other goods.

Stalls selling betara-zuke

Bettara-zuke, a type of pickled radish, is one of Tokyo’s specialties.

You can access it from areas like Ningyocho, Kodenmacho, and Nihonbashi. Nearby stations include Ningyocho on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Toei Asakusa Line, Kodenmacho Station on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Bakuro-Yokoyama Station on Toei Shinjuku Line, and Shin-Nihonbashi Station on JR Sobu line.

There are no strict rules on how to access the area, but I will approach from Ningyocho. When coming from that direction, Suginomori Shrine will be the first sight. Let’s make a visit here first and pray. Suginomori Shrine is known as one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Nihonbashi and attracts many visitors during the New Year. It is also famous for having hosted a lottery in the Edo period (1603-1868), and there’s a monument commemorating it on the shrine grounds. Even today, people who buy lottery tickets come here to pray for good fortune. During the Bettara-ichi, many lanterns are lit, creating a festive atmosphere, and stalls selling Bettara-zuke line the shrine’s surroundings.

Suginomori Shrine in the light of lanterns

While keeping Suginomori Shrine on your right, continue straight ahead and turn left at the fourth corner to reach Takarada Ebisu Shrine. The origin of the Bettara-ichi dates back to the Edo period when the Ebisu-Ko was held in front of Takarada Ebisu Shrine on October 20th each year. The Ebisu-Ko is a religious event honoring Ebisu, the god of commerce and agriculture, where people offered good-luck charms to pray for prosperous businesses. On the day before, a market selling offerings was held, which gradually grew in popularity, leading to the current Bettara-ichi. Thus, it can be said that Takarada Ebisu Shrine is the heart of the Bettara-ichi. A particularly large lantern hangs in front of the shrine, catching people’s attention. Don’t forget to pray here as well.

Approach to Takarada Ebisu Shrine

A particularly large lantern hangs in front of Takarada Ebisu Shrine.

Takarada Ebisu Shrine decorated with many lanterns

From my years of experience, the stalls selling Bettara-zuke seem to cluster around Suginomori Shrine and Takarada Ebisu Shrine. While they may all look similar, each stall offers their own unique recipe, which surely reflects in the taste. Additionally, the same stall may offer two types of Bettara-zuke: with skin and without skin, which affects the flavor and texture. While I don’t have a specific favorite, trying different types can be enjoyable.

At the Bettara-ichi, there are many stalls selling more than just Bettara-zuke. You’ll find classic festival foods like okonomiyaki, yakisoba, cotton candy, and alcohol, as well as local shops offering their products at discounted prices. Walking among the stalls, enjoying food and drinks under the lantern light, is truly a delightful experience.

Crowded with many people at Betara-ichi

Two types of Bettara-zuke: with skin and without skin

This year, October 19th and 20th fall on a Saturday and Sunday. In years when these dates are weekdays, you often see office workers having a party in front of their offices after work. However, this year, both days are weekends, so there might be fewer of those. Instead, we may see more families that are typically busy with work on weekdays, but have the chance to come on the weekend.

Local festivals like the Bettara-ichi are rarely featured in overseas travel guides. If you’re staying nearby, you’re quite lucky! I hope you can visit the Bettara-ichi and experience a part of Japanese culture.

Place of Bettara-ichi: Nihonbashi-Ohdenmacho and Nihonbashi-Honcho neighborhoods centering on Takarada Ebisu Shrine

 Address of Takarada Ebisu Shrine: 3-10-11, Hashimoto-cho, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo

 Access to Bettara-ichi:

 1-minute walk from Kodenmacho Station on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line

 2-minute walk from Shin-Nihonbashi Station on JR Sobu line

 5-minute walk from Bakuro-Yokoyama Station on Toei Shinjuku Line

 7-minute walk from Ningyocho Station on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Toei Asakusa Line