Ko-No-Ho-Shi New-Crop Rice Omusubi Picnic 2026

Why You Should Visit

Ko-No-Ho-Shi is a new rice variety developed by Hyogo Prefecture to cope with hotter summers, launched in October 2025. Over two days at Higashi Yuenchi Park, you can try omusubi (rice balls) made from this year's new crop on the lawn. Free rice balls are handed out on the hour from 11:00 to 15:00, 88 per round, one per person. The variety is known for gentle sweetness and a chewy texture that stays tasty even when cool. Picnic mats are lent out for free, so you can just sit on the grass and eat. A nice stop while shopping or strolling around Sannomiya.

Essentials

location

Urban Picnic rental space, Higashi Yuenchi Park

period

October 11, 2026 (Sun) - October 12, 2026 (Mon)

Time

11:00–16:00

cost

Free (rice ball tasting: 88 per round, one per person)

Links

Official Website

Kobe · Gluten-free

Basque cheesecakeBaked with rice flour, no wheat. Whole 12cm, serves 2-3¥4,700 incl. shipping (Japan only)

access

About 10 min walk south of Sannomiya Station (JR, Hankyu, Hanshin, subway).

There are 12 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Urban Picnic rental space, Higashi Yuenchi Park, and 2 public restrooms within 8 minutes. The map shows each with its walking time.

Facility data comes from OpenStreetMap. It does not include opening hours, fees or availability.

NOTE

New-crop omusubi

Rice balls made in cooperation with Onigiri-ya Hitotsubu

About Ko-No-Ho-Shi

Development began in 2016, aiming for tasty rice that tolerates heat as Hyogo warms
Launched in October 2025; gentle sweetness, chewy texture, tasty even when cool

FAQ

When are the rice balls handed out?

On both days, 88 are handed out at 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00. One per person; each round ends when they run out.

Do I need to bring a picnic mat?

No. Picnic mats can be borrowed free at the venue; the last loan is at 15:00.

What happens if it rains?

The event may be cancelled or changed without notice depending on the weather. Check the organizer's official website on the day.

Calendar

Add it to your calendar so you can check back on it later.

Google Calendar Apple Calendar (.ics)

We hope it gives you a reason to head out together.

X FB LINE

Events

Events nearby & around the same time

Other events happening around the same time or in a similar area.

View Recommended Events →

9/19 - 12/26

EAT LOCAL KOBE Farmers Market

Higashi Yuenchi Park, Chuo-ku, Kobe

10/3 - 10/4

KOBE CRAFTBEER STREET 2026

Sannomiya Center Gai Shopping Street

10/3 - 10/4

KOBE AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2026

Sannomiya Central Street to the Waterfront (pedestrian zone)

10/3

2nd Kobe Tug-of-War Championship

Sannomiya Central Street, in front of Ikuta Shrine's first torii (KOBE AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2026 "THE WALK" area)

10/10 - 10/11

Wanwan Marche vol.52

Kobe Port Island Civic Square

Events

More events at this venue

View Recommended Events →

10/10

Kansai Renovation Market

Higashi Yuenchi Park (Chuo-ku, Kobe)

10/11 - 10/12

Ko-No-Ho-Shi New-Crop Rice Omusubi Picnic

Urban Picnic rental space, Higashi Yuenchi Park

10/20 - 10/26

NIGHT PICNIC 2026

Higashi Yuenchi Park

10/31 - 11/1

KOBE Gourmet Collection 2026

Higashi Yuenchi Park

1/29 - 2/7

32nd Kobe Luminarie

Meriken Park, Higashi Yuenchi, Former Foreign Settlement

Nearby Spots

spots

Explore More of Kobe

View All Features →

Sightseeing

Top Sightseeing Spots in Kobe

Local News

Kobe Local News

Openings & Closings

Kobe Shop Openings & Closings

Ko-No-Ho-Shi New-Crop Rice Omusubi Picnic

Why You Should Visit

Essentials

FAQ

Events nearby & around the same time

More events at this venue

Nearby Spots

Kobe Children's Book Forest

Kobe Customs

Kobe Old Foreign Settlement

átoa

Nankinmachi (Chinatown)

TOTTEI PARK

Explore More of Kobe