The 37th "Japan's No. 1 Imoni Festival" just wrapped up yesterday (September 14) along the Mamigasaki River in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture. The undisputed star of the show? A colossal pot, measuring a whopping 6.5 meters in diameter! This monster cauldron was packed with 3.2 metric tons of taro, 1.2 metric tons of premium Yamagata beef, and a mountain of other local ingredients, all sourced right from Yamagata. The result? Over 30,000 servings of delicious imoni stew, which, as expected, drew massive crowds eager to get their hands on a bowl.
And if you've seen the videos, you know the only way to stir a pot over six meters wide is with, well, an excavator! Seriously, it's quite a sight. This year, the festival was blessed with fantastic weather, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from both within and outside the prefecture. The official X account even live-streamed the event. All 30,000 servings of imoni were devoured in a blistering five hours!
Here's another perspective of the loading process.
Now, you might be wondering about hygiene with an excavator in the mix. According to a previous official announcement:
"A brand-new excavator is prepared every year. After delivery, it undergoes a thorough cleaning with high-pressure water jets and hot water to remove all dirt and grease from every part."
"Various parts are repeatedly tested with edible oils and salad oils. Ultimately, edible butter is chosen for lubrication, meaning all machine lubricants are, in fact, edible butter."
This specially prepared excavator is a testament to the passion and dedication of the collaborating companies. It's no wonder this Yamagata festival draws massive crowds every year, with even international visitors making the pilgrimage!
Countless users on X also shared their photos from the event, showcasing the incredibly delicious-looking imoni and the tens of thousands of attendees.
So, if you ever find yourself planning a trip to Yamagata Prefecture, mark your calendars for this time of year and make sure to experience the "Japan's No. 1 Imoni Festival" – it's an autumn celebration you won't want to miss!