[Hirake Tanga!] 100 Years Connected by Warmth, The Unadorned Warmth of Tanga is Here – Memory Baton "Tanga Market Digital Photobook" Released

Tanga Market, affectionately known as "Kitakyushu's Kitchen" for over 100 years, is now taking a new step towards its next century through a redevelopment project.

To preserve the ever-changing scenery of Tanga Market and the memories of the people who breathe life into it, Kitakyushu City launched a call for memories titled "Me and Tanga ~ Connecting Tanga's Memories with Photos and Thoughts ~" from November 2025 to late January 2026. Despite the short period, approximately 200 memorable photos and episodes were submitted.

Around the same time, students from Kitakyushu City University recorded the "current state" of Tanga Market and listened to the "thoughts of individual shopkeepers" to pass them on to future generations.

The "Tanga Market Digital Photobook" has now been completed, compiling these collected ever-changing landscapes, irreplaceable episodes, and the shopkeepers' dedication and hopes for the future of Tanga Market.

See details about the photo and episode submission.
*Note: The submission period for photos and episodes for this project has ended.*

**■ Everyday life itself is an irreplaceable memory**

The cover of the digital photobook

At the core of the digital photobook are the ordinary scenes of Tanga in daily life and the warm memories of human connections that characterize Tanga.

The vibrant scenery of Tanga Market, walking hand-in-hand with mother in childhood. Memories of the first visit to Tanga Market after moving to Kitakyushu from afar. Casual conversations with familiar shopkeepers and the bustle of festival days.

These are not just records, but scenes from the lives of individuals accumulated alongside Tanga Market.

The digital photobook was born as a "memory baton" to connect these irreplaceable memories to the future.

**■ The shopkeepers' thoughts encountered by students create the desire to "buy from this person"**

For one month, from late November to late December 2025, students from Kitakyushu City University interviewed and photographed individual shops in Tanga Market. During this period, students visited Tanga Market many times and touched upon the thoughts of approximately 30 shopkeepers.

In the digital photobook, the students carefully weave the various thoughts of the shopkeepers, heard with their own ears and felt with their hearts, into words alongside photos.

Initially, students had impressions of Tanga Market such as "the market street is dark and a little scary" and "it's a place for regulars." However, as they continued their interviews, they became familiar with the shopkeepers, and now they are greeted just by walking through the market. This is where Tanga's unique "human touch" (ninjo) exists, where people naturally grow closer.

When you encounter the shopkeepers' thoughts through the digital photobook, you will feel the lives behind their words and naturally think, "I want to buy from this person."

Students interviewing shopkeepers at Tanga Market

**■ Digital Photobook Access Cards are available in 5 types**

Tanga Digital Photobook Access Card

To commemorate the completion of the "Tanga Market Digital Photobook" and to share its appeal with more people, Kitakyushu City has produced digital photobook access cards.

The cards feature a QR code to access the digital photobook, and are available in 5 designs (including one secret design). They are planned to be distributed at accommodations and tourist information centers within Kitakyushu City in the future.

Collecting all types for enjoyment or exchanging them with others is recommended.

With a card in hand, experience the "present" of Tanga Market, which is stepping into a new era while touching 100 years of memories, directly on site.

Tanga Market Digital Photobook

You can view the digital photobook here.