In 2018, the Yamagata Imonikai Festival earned a Guinness World Record for “Most people served soup in 8 hours.” In 2023, the festival served 30,000 bowls of Yamagata’s soul food—imoni!

Every September, Yamagata City hosts one of the most impressive cookouts using a 6.5 meter pot. The ingredients include—3 tons of taro, 1.2 tons of beef, 3500 pieces of konnyaku, 3500 long green onions, 700 liters of soy sauce, 90 liters of sake, 200 kilograms of sugar, and 6 tons of water. To simmer, 6 tons of wood. To serve, a repurposed crane.

The festival has live music, games for children, Yamagata delicacies, and plenty of space to hold a group picnic by the Mamigasaki River.

Tickets can be purchased for 500 yen each on their website, which includes a designated time slot for entry and one serving of imoni. Once tickets are purchased, a QR code will be sent and required to be shown upon entry. Tickets will also be sold on the day from 8:30 am, but are likely to sell out early.

Upgraded tickets are also available for a reserved seat in the Imoni Chaya, a rest area in a shaded tent. The tickets are 4000 yen each, which includes unlimited servings of imoni, a drink, frozen cream puffs for dessert, and a 300 yen coupon for any products sold in the rest area.

If there is any opportunity to try Yamagata soul food, let it be from the world’s largest pot!

For more Yamagata soul food, look into our food guide.

GETTING THERE

The Imonikai Festival is a 15 minute bus ride from Yamagata Station.

If you’re coming by car, park at Yamagata Big Wing or the Yamagata Prefectural Office parking lot. From there, a shuttle bus service is available for 200 yen (one way).

Additionally, a free shuttle bus service is available, departing from the Yamagata Chamber Of Commerce And Industry parking lot.