Japan's Biggest Imoni Festival

This major fall event celebrates Yamagata's signature autumn food tradition, the imoni party, where families and friends gather around a pot by the river to share imoni stew. Held on Japan's largest scale, the festival draws large crowds every year and celebrates its 38th edition in 2026.

Held on the banks of the Mamigasaki River in Yamagata City, the festival introduces people from across Japan to the imoni culture long cherished primarily in the Tohoku region. Its main attraction is the impressive cooking process using a giant pot named Nabutaro III. At the 30th festival in 2018, 12,695 servings set a Guinness World Record for the most soup served in 8 hours.

Another distinctive feature is the use of a mobile crane and excavator to scoop imoni from the 6.5-meter-diameter pot. Visitors can watch the dramatic sight of the stew being served with a large bucket up close. In addition to imoni, the venue features booths run by sponsoring organizations and companies, local specialties and souvenirs for sale, and stage performances.

This signature Yamagata fall event offers a chance to experience the prefecture's food culture, seasonal flavors, and lively atmosphere.