Introduction

A seasonal feature of autumn: Imonikai (taro stew party)

Imonikai is a beloved autumn event among locals, especially in the Tohoku region.

In Yamagata and Miyagi especially, you can see families, friends, locals, schools, workplaces and other groups enjoying imoni parties every autumn on riverbanks and other places.

While imoni parties are held all over the country, Japan’s largest and most dynamic one is the Yamagata Imoni Festival held in Yamagata City every year.

This is the festival that holds the largest imoni party in Japan.

The number one in Japan for both quantity and cooking utensils! (The best in the world?)

Approximately 30,000 servings of imoni will be served at the Yamagata Imoni Festival!

At the 30th edition of the festival held on September 16, 2018, a Guinness World Record was set for the “Most soup served in 8 hours” with 12,695 people served.

And the cooking utensils are also dynamic!

The pot currently in use is the Third Generation Onabe Nabetaro, which is 6.5 meters in diameter .

The ladle used to pour the potato stew is a mobile crane-type backhoe used at construction sites and other such sites.

*Each piece of heavy machinery is disassembled and cleaned, and is carefully maintained for hygiene using cooking oil, etc.

The sight of over 30,000 meals being cooked in one go using large pots and heavy machinery is truly “the best in Japan”!

For those who have not yet been to Japan’s No. 1 imoni party, we encourage you to come and see this dynamic spectacle.

Now, let’s introduce the two plans!

1. Bus departing from Sendai Station ★ Yamagata Imoni Festival (including Imoni Teahouse) A convenient and easy tour to enjoy Yamagata!!

Japan’s largest imoni festival attracts so many people every year that it can be quite a struggle to get to the venue…

Depending on the timing, it can be difficult to get to the venue smoothly, such as having to wait in a long line to catch a shuttle bus to the venue, having trouble finding a place to park when you drive, or having to walk a long distance from the parking lot to the venue.

Therefore, we have created a plan that allows you to go directly from Sendai Station to the venue by chartered bus !

On the way back, you can stop by the Yamagata Prefecture Tourism and Products Center Gutto Yamagata and Roadside Station Yamagata Zao to purchase souvenirs such as Yamagata sweets, local sake, and vegetables delivered directly from the source.

Schedule

[Course A]
08:00 Depart from Sendai Station East Exit
10:00 Participate in the Yamagata Imoni Festival (*Imoni teahouse is open from 10:00 to 11:30)
12:50 Free time at the Tourist and Products Center Gutto Yamagata and Roadside Station Yamagata Zao
15:00 Arrive at Sendai Station East Exit

[Course B]
11:00 Depart from Sendai Station East Exit
13:00 Participate in the Yamagata Imoni Festival (*Imoni teahouse is open from 13:00 to 14:30)
15:50 Free time at the Tourist and Products Center Gutto Yamagata and Roadside Station Yamagata Zao
18:00 Arrive at Sendai Station East Exit

◆Travel fee

Adult (junior high school students and above): 10,000 yen (tax included)
Children (elementary school students and under): 7,500 yen (tax included)

What is included in the tour price?

・Charter bus fare
・Toll road fee
・Bus guide fee
・Parking fee
・Imoni teahouse (paid seating) usage fee
・Yamagata specialty imoni (taro, beef and soy sauce stew), one special menu item, rice ball, water
・Coupon (worth 500 yen) for use at the special sales corner inside the Imoni teahouse

*Free refills of Yamagata specialty imoni (taro, beef and soy sauce stew) only
*Anything not listed above must be paid for at your own expense
*500 yen coupons are only available to adults

Plan Details

① Transportation by chartered bus : Sendai Station to the Yamagata Imoni Festival venue
②  Use of Imoni teahouse : Special venue (tents, tables, and chairs provided)
③  Meal🍴: imoni stew (taro, beef and soy sauce-flavored), one special menu item, rice ball, water, coupon (500 yen)
④ Stop by Yamagata Prefecture Tourism and Products Center Gutto Yamagata & Roadside Station Yamagata Zao

2. IMONI LOUNGE [Limited to 15 people each]

The Imoni teahouse is a special corner that is hugely popular every year, where you can sit down and enjoy your meal at your leisure in a large tent specially set up.

In addition to the regular Imoni Chaya, we also offer the IMONI LOUNGE, a higher-class Imoni teahouse.

Why not enjoy Japan’s largest imoni festival in a first class seat?

*Photos are for illustrative purposes only

Plan

[AM Lounge] 9:45~11:30 (opening at 9:15)
[PM Lounge] 12:45~14:30 (opening at 12:15)

Fee

Adult (20 years old and over): 15,000 yen (tax included)
Junior high school students and above and under 20 years old: 8,000 yen (tax included)
Elementary school students and younger: 3,000 yen (tax included)

What’s included

・Use of the special IMONI LOUNGE venue
・Yamagata specialty imoni (taro, beef and soy sauce) *free refills
・One special menu item
・Rice balls
・Yamagata meat plate
・Yamagata local sake
・Yamagata local wine
・Yamagata plum wine
・Beer
・Lemon sour
・Whiskey
・Yamagata juice
・Water
・Tsuyahime rice brown rice tea
・Snacks
・Tsukemono (pickled vegetables)
・Coupon for use at Imoni teahouse (worth 500 yen)
* 500 yen coupons are only available to Adults
* Menu is subject to changes without notice
* The above image is for illustrative purposes only

Plan Details

① Use of IMONI LOUNGE dedicated special venue (includes tent, spot coolers, table, sofa chairs)
② Meal🍴: Imoni stew (taro, beef and soy sauce-flavored) (free refills), one special menu item, rice balls, water, coupon (worth 500 yen), Yamagata meat plate, Yamagata local sake, Yamagata local wine, beer, juice, snacks, etc.