Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 2-Day Yamagata Imoni Customizable Tour
Two days in Yamagata for the Imoni Festival, where taro stew is cooked in a giant 6.5 m pot by the river. Plus Yamagata Castle park and a local sake stop.
Private · your group only◆2 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Imoni is Yamagata's autumn comfort food: taro, beef, konjac and green onion in a soy broth. Every September the city cooks it in a giant iron pot, 6.5 m across, on the Mamigasaki riverbed. Heavy machines stir the pot, and thousands of bowls are served the same day. It is a fun, very local event.
The festival is held on one Sunday in September. We run this tour on the festival dates only.
On Day 1 we drive from Tokyo to Yamagata, about 5 hours. In the afternoon we walk Kajo Park, the grounds of Yamagata Castle, with its stone walls, moats and the rebuilt East Main Gate. In the evening you are free in the city.
On Day 2 we go early to the Mamigasaki riverbed. Your imoni bowl ticket is included. You can watch the giant pot being stirred and eat your stew by the river. Lines can be long, so we arrive early. Then we stop at a local sake brewery shop in the area for tasting. Non-drinkers and the driver can try local non-alcoholic drinks such as apple juice. We drive back to Tokyo in the afternoon.
Halal: the festival imoni contains beef that is not halal. We cannot offer a halal version at the festival.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 people, never shared. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the Imoni Festival is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit Yamagata on another weekend with an imoni lunch at a local restaurant and a stop at Yamadera temple.
Day 1 Drive Tokyo to Yamagata, Kajo Park and Yamagata Castle walls, free evening
Day 2 Imoni Festival at Mamigasaki riverbed, sake tasting stop, drive back to your Tokyo hotel
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Eat stew cooked in a 6.5 m giant pot by the river
- Watch heavy machines stir the festival pot
- Walk the stone walls and moats of Yamagata Castle
- Taste local Yamagata sake, with non-alcoholic choices
- Discover a local food festival most visitors never see
Said plainly
Private tour for 1 to 6 people in one van. Your driver-guide speaks English, Hindi and Urdu Festival date only: one Sunday in September. The tour runs on the festival weekend The festival is crowded and lines can be long. Wear comfortable shoes and a hat The imoni contains beef and is not halal. Dietary needs can be added in the booking form If the Imoni Festival is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit Yamagata on another weekend with an imoni lunch at a local restaurant and a stop at Yamadera temple
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Eat stew cooked in a 6.5 m giant pot by the river
Watch heavy machines stir the festival pot
Walk the stone walls and moats of Yamagata Castle
Taste local Yamagata sake, with non-alcoholic choices
Discover a local food festival most visitors never see
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Imoni festival bowl ticket
- Sake tasting at a local brewery shop
Yours — paid on the day
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Yamagata)
- Optional extra food and drinks at the festival
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
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From¥179,000
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