2026 Programme for Meguru: Kosuke Kindaichi’s Pathways in Mabi Town

Explore the settings of the stories this autumn; cosplay event on November 28

Mabi Town is where mystery writer Seishi Yokomizo lived as an evacuee during and after the war. He completed the first novel in the Kosuke Kindaichi series, The Honjin Murders, here. The area is also said to contain many places that feature in his works. The appeal of these local events lies in visiting places associated with the stories and reflecting on their background.

One of the main events in the 2026 programme is the cosplay event “1,000 Kosuke Kindaichis,” taking place on November 28. An optional discussion session is also planned for the same day. To help plan your visit, decide whether you would like to take part in the cosplay event, attend the discussion session as well, or both, and check the details of the activities you are interested in.

The event information lists the hours for November 28 as 12:00–16:00. Venues vary by activity, so check the details page for the event you plan to attend for its venue and schedule, then look up the location and access information for that venue.

The application period listed in the official information is from 12:00 p.m. on October 15 to 5:15 p.m. on November 10. Before applying, check the information for each activity to confirm whether it is covered and what steps are required.

Choose from mystery activities and a postal examination on different dates

The mystery-solving stamp rally runs from October 1 to December 20. The leaflet states that each person may have one stamp-rally sheet. As this is a separate, limited-period activity rather than part of the cosplay event, check the official information on the sheet rules and activity details if you are considering taking part during your visit.

The immersive mystery game created by students, “The Case Files of Daisuke Osakabe, the Great Detective,” takes place on November 7 and 8. It is on different dates from the cosplay event on November 28. Check the details for each activity to confirm the venue, start time and participation requirements, and take care not to confuse the dates when choosing when to visit.

In addition to events on specific dates, the “Mystery-Solving Town Walk” is listed as a year-round activity starting in October 2026. The official page also features a mystery guidebook revised in 2021, the “Kosuke Kindaichi’s Pathways” walking route, and information on “Kindaichi Bicycles,” a rental bike service for visiting places associated with the stories. These resources may be useful when planning a walk or a cycling route.

The “1,000 Questions on Kosuke Kindaichi” knowledge test is taken by post. Questions are scheduled to be mailed around late November. Answers must be submitted by January 15, 2027 (as shown by the postmark), and results are scheduled to be sent around mid-February of the same year. Unlike the in-person events, this test requires you to prepare your answers in time to meet the postal deadline.

The official page also features a video on the Kurashiki City Tourism Division’s YouTube channel recreating the trick from The Honjin Murders. The video was filmed and edited in 2009. The planned Meguru: Kosuke Kindaichi’s Pathways tour has also been cancelled due to various circumstances. Events may be changed or cancelled, so check the latest information for the activity you plan to attend before your visit. The event information also notes that participation may be refused in cases of nuisance behaviour, including solicitation, harassment or sexual harassment.