Name: Japan’s No. 1 Imoni Festival
Start: 2026-09-20
End: 2026-09-20
Location: Mamigasaki River riverbank, Yamagata City (near Sogetsu Bridge)

A giant pot appears on the riverbanks of Yamagata City, making this a food-culture festival where visitors can enjoy imoni, a signature taste of autumn in Yamagata, on a grand scale.

About Japan’s No. 1 Imoni Festival

Japan’s No. 1 Imoni Festivalの記録写真：File:Yamagataimoni.JPG — Photo credits and terms of use
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The Japan’s No. 1 Imoni Festival is an autumn event held on the banks of the Mamigasaki River in Yamagata City. It showcases Yamagata’s food culture of imoni gatherings, cooking the dish in a huge pot and in large quantities.

The venue offers Yamagata-style beef in soy sauce broth and Shonai-style pork in miso broth, letting visitors enjoy the differences between regional flavors.

The giant pot draws on Yamagata cast-metal craftsmanship, and the festival continues as a place to share food culture and local industry with people across Japan.

Source: 開催概要 – 日本一の芋煮会フェスティバル / 日本一の芋煮会フェスティバル - Wikipedia

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the “Third-generation Nabetaro,” which is 6.5 meters in diameter.

In 2026, about 30,000 servings of imoni are scheduled to be cooked in this giant pot, which visitors can see up close at the venue.

There are also booths run by sponsoring organizations and companies, local specialties for sale, and stage events, so visitors can enjoy the whole program, not just the giant pot.

Yamagata’s autumn flavors in a giant pot: the grand stage of imoni culture

What to expect

Numbered tickets are distributed from 8:30 a.m. on the day, while supplies last.

Imoni is served from 9:20 a.m. If using an advance-reservation e-ticket, go to the gate during your assigned time slot, scan the QR code, and receive your imoni from the giant pot.

At the same-day reception, visitors receive a numbered ticket in exchange for a contribution and then enjoy imoni.

How to take part

General visitors can take part by receiving a serving of imoni.

In 2026, options include booking in advance with an electronic ticket or making a same-day sponsorship to receive a numbered ticket.

At the venue, you can enjoy imoni as well as vendor booths and stage events.

To register in advance, choose your preferred time slot to collect the giant-pot imoni through the electronic ticket service “teket.”

On the day, your QR code will be scanned at the gate, so you do not need to exchange it for a numbered ticket.

For same-day registration, numbered tickets are distributed from 8:30 a.m. One numbered ticket is issued for each sponsorship of at least 700 yen or each sponsorship ticket.

Check participation details

Location and access

Venue and address

Mamigasaki River riverbank, Yamagata City (near Sogetsu Bridge)

Train and bus

Take a Yamakō Bus bound for Numano-be from the east exit of JR Yamagata Station and get off at Yamagata Fire Station.

The one-way fare is 280 yen.

For the return trip, you can take a local bus from Yamagata Fire Station toward Yamagata Station.

By car

The area around the venue is subject to traffic restrictions, and you cannot drive directly into the venue.

Please take a shuttle bus from a designated parking lot.

Parking

You can use the Yamagata Prefectural Government parking lot (approximately 800 spaces) or the Yamagata City Public Wholesale Market (approximately 500 spaces).

Shuttle buses run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fares are 300 yen one way for adults, 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and free for preschoolers.

Source: 会場案内／アクセス – 日本一の芋煮会フェスティバル

Address Mamigasaki River riverbank, Yamagata City (near Sogetsu Bridge)

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

The 2026 event is scheduled for September 20 (Sunday).

Numbered tickets are distributed from 8:30 a.m., and imoni is served from 9:20 a.m. Both are available while supplies last.

The event is held rain or shine, but may be canceled in severe weather.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Yamagata Prefecture / Yamagata City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

Photo and data sources

写真：663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)

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Origins and History of Japan’s No. 1 Imoni Festival

The festival began with the desire to change the image of Yamagata Prefecture and promote imoni gatherings as an event representing Yamagata.

The idea of cooking imoni in a giant pot came about after a visit to see a large pot in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Using Yamagata cast-metal craftsmanship, a pot 5.6 meters in diameter was made, and the 1st festival was held on September 3, 1989. Its aim of promoting food culture and supporting local industry continues to be carried forward.

Source: 第1回ヒストリー：日本一の芋煮会フェスティバルの誕生 – 日本一の芋煮会フェスティバル

Official information

You can check the official event overview and venue information from the Japan’s No. 1 Imoni Festival Council.

Information is provided about the 2026 event date, numbered tickets and e-tickets, transportation, parking, and shuttle buses.