Yamagata Ichibukuro Ichibanfushi (Yamagata City Noodle Shop) is now open! Enjoy Yamagata ramen and soba in one sitting, plus free samples of taro-cooked ramen in a big pot!

Do you want to get the best of the "Holy Land of Noodles" in one go in Tokyo? Yamagata City, famous for being Japan's number one in ramen consumption for four consecutive years, is bringing popular local ramen and soba restaurants to Ikebukuro for a limited time for the Yamagata Ichiba Matsuri in Ikebukuro (Yamagata City Noodle Festival in Ikebukuro). Not only will you be able to taste a variety of different ramen styles, but you will also be able to encounter Yamagata's unique soba culture and local cuisine, making this event a must-attend for Taiwanese travelers who love Japanese food!

Event Highlight: Unlocking Yamagata's Noodle Culture at Ikebukuro

What makes ramen in Yamagata City so appealing is that it is not defined by a single flavor. There are everything from traditional Chinese ramen (chuasoba) to more robust flavors and generous portions, and even unique bowls that incorporate local ingredients and eating styles into the ramen. Yamagata City has been the talk of the noodle industry in Japan, with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' Household Survey ranking the city first in the nation in terms of spending on Chinese ramen (eating out) for four consecutive years.

Yamagata also has a strong heritage in soba, with seasonal buckwheat eating styles and a culture of "freshly ground, freshly pounded, freshly boiled" that makes it more of a travel experience than just a staple food. This event brings all of these features together in downtown Tokyo, making it perfect for travelers on a tight schedule who want to eat the "real deal" of the place.

Event Information: Dates, Venue and Admission Times

Date & Time

・3/3 (Tue) 16:00～20:00 (limited to 300 copies, as a preview event)

・3/4(Wed) ～3/6(Fri) 11:00～20:00(Last admission 19:30)

・3/7(Sat) 11:00～15:00(Last admission 14:30)

Venue

Naka Ikebukuro Park (Tachinaka Ikebukuro Park, Toshima-ku)
Address：1-16-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

List of outlets: Two tiers (while supplies last)

3/4(Wed) ・3/5(Thu)

1) Tamakoya Cafeteria (Food Processing Station Tamakoya)
2）Tachibana buckwheat (Tachibana)
3）Sanbaobo buckwheat (そば処三百坊)

3/6(Fri) ・3/7(Sat)

1) Noodles (麺辰)
2) Have a top day EVOLUTION!
3) Izayoi Ramen (麺屋 居間人)

Reminder: All stores may close early if they run out of items, so arrive early if you want to eat at a specific store.

A live event you can't miss: Herald Day's "Taro Boiled" Ramen Hot Pot Reception

If you happen to be in Ikebukuro on 3/3, don't miss the Taro Boiled Nabe Ramen treat at the introductory event, limited to 300 while supplies last. Taro-yaki is a representative pot culture of the Tohoku region (especially Yamagata), and is cooked in a large pot to create a festive and lively atmosphere, which makes tasting it on-site feel like you're on a trip.

SNS Interactive: Sweepstakes with Specified Hashtag

During the event, by adding # Yamagata City Ramen Tour to your SNS post, you will be able to enter a lottery at the venue for a chance to win Yamagata Ramen merchandise.

You can also buy souvenirs: bring Yamagata's noodles back to the hotel or bring them back to Taiwan!

There will also be products for sale at the venue, including noodles and related products brought by Sakai Sakurai (a joint venture company, Sakai Sakurai Sakurai Sosho), so that even when you go back to your hotel, you can continue the flavor of your noodle tour.

Suggested Itinerary: What's the best way to organize it

If you want to get the most choices at one time: we recommend arriving early during the day on weekdays (3/4 to 3/6) to avoid the evening rush.

・Specialized stores: Confirm the date of departure, and then arrange a tour around Ikebukuro or Sunshine City.

If you want to take photos and have fun at the same time: think about the content of your post beforehand, and then add the designated hashtag directly on the spot for more efficiency.

Conclusion: Love Yamagata first with a bowl of noodles in Tokyo!

The Yamagata Ichimen Matsuri in Ikebukuro is not just a local food flash mob, but also a ticket to experience Yamagata's noodle culture. Once you've had that amazing bowl of ramen or soba in Ikebukuro, you might want to put Yamagata on your list of destinations for your next trip to Japan. If you're going to be in Tokyo in the spring, this limited-time event is really worth scheduling into your itinerary.

For more details about the event, please refer to the announcement page of the Yamagata City official website.