Little World Museum of Man (野外民族博物館リトルワールド) in Inuyama, Aichi will hold the "Tohoku Umaimono Festival" (東北うまいもの祭り) for one month, from Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, December 6, 2026. Visitors can enjoy regional dishes from the six Tohoku prefectures along with stage shows of traditional performing arts.
The main venue is the "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan" area, where a house built in the mid-Edo period has been relocated to the museum. Carefully selected Tohoku local dishes are sold every day during the festival. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the festival adds weekly-changing limited dishes, tourism PR teams and warrior troupes from the Tohoku prefectures, stage shows of traditional performing arts, and the "Tohoku Bussan Fair" (東北物産フェア), which gathers specialty products from the six prefectures.
"Tohoku Chaya" (とうほく茶屋), a new restaurant that opened in the Yamagata area in September, also adds to this year's festival.
For details, see the Little World event page.
Tohoku Dishes Sold Daily
Imoni Comparison: Yamagata Murayama Style and Miyagi Sendai Style
Imoni (芋煮) is a seasonal staple of autumn in Tohoku, and comparing two regional styles is one of the highlights of the festival. One is a soy sauce-based version with beef, and the other is a miso-based version with pork, each a traditional flavor loved in its own region and infused with its own proud broth. Both use konnyaku from Yamakon Shokuhin (ヤマコン食品), a long-established company in Yamagata Prefecture.
- Yamagata Murayama-style imoni (山形・村山風芋煮) — ¥800 per bowl: A soy sauce-based bowl made with "Umaitare" (うまいたれ) from Hirayama Magobei Shoten (平山孫兵衛商店), a long-established shop in Yonezawa. Combining beef with konnyaku is the classic style.
- Miyagi Sendai-style imoni (宮城・仙台風芋煮) — ¥700 per bowl: A rich bowl based on flavorful Sendai miso, using the "Aragoshi" (あらごし) miso from Sendai Miso Shoyu (仙台味噌醤油), a long-established company in Sendai, and paired with pork.
Side-by-side tasting of imoni is available only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. On weekdays, only one of either the Yamagata Murayama-style imoni or the Miyagi Sendai-style imoni is sold.
Yamagata: Hippari Udon — ¥800
A well-known local dish in which piping-hot, freshly boiled udon is tossed in a sauce made with natto and canned mackerel. The rich bonito umami and refined sweet-savory flavor of "Umaitare" (うまいたれ), a dashi soy sauce from Yonezawa, add depth to the toppings and noodles.
Fukushima: Genki Curry Bread with Fukushima-Grown Akatsuki Peach — ¥650
"Genki Curry Bread" (元気なカレーパン), made by the cafe bakery Ra Santa Land (ら・さんたランド) in Fukushima City, is a fried curry bread that is very popular locally and won Fukushima Prefecture's "Healthy Menu Contest" (ヘルシーメニューコンテスト) two years in a row. This peach version contains two generous pieces of Fukushima-grown "Akatsuki" peach, and the fruity sweetness and acidity of the peach blend with the spices to make a local specialty.
Aomori: Fried Chicken with "Stamina Gen Tare" — ¥700 (5 pieces, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only)
Juicy fried chicken marinated in "Stamina Gen Tare" (スタミナ源たれ), an all-purpose seasoning that holds a share of about 70% in Aomori Prefecture. The richness and flavor of Aomori-grown garlic and apples soak into the chicken.
Miyagi: Kesennuma Horumon Don — ¥850 (Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only)
Kesennuma horumon (気仙沼ホルモン) is pork offal marinated in a rich, garlic-flavored miso sauce and grilled until fragrant. It is served rice-bowl style with shredded cabbage topped with Worcestershire sauce, and the rich meat and the refreshing cabbage go well together.
Period: November 7 (Saturday) to December 6 (Sunday), 2026
Location: Special tent near "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan" (Tohoku Chaya on weekdays)
Weekly-Changing Limited-Time Dishes
Iwate: Tempura Biscuits (3 pieces) — ¥450
Sale dates: November 7 (Sat), 8 (Sun), 14 (Sat), and 15 (Sun) only
A local snack from Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture. The classic "Kaasan Ketto" (イトウ製菓 かーさんケット) biscuits from Ito Seika are coated in a batter blended with mochi flour and wheat flour, then fried. The texture is crispy and chewy on the outside and moist on the inside, and the simple sweetness is addictive.
Fukushima: Aizu Sauce Katsudon — ¥850
Sale dates: November 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun) only
An Aizu specialty in which a large pork cutlet is soaked in a slightly sweet special sauce that concentrates the umami of soy sauce and fruit. It is rich yet has a refreshing aftertaste.
Aomori: Ika Menchi (2 pieces) — ¥400
Sale dates: November 21 (Sat) to 23 (Mon, public holiday) only
A popular item with plenty of flavorful squid packed inside a crispy coating. Visitors can taste the aroma of the freshly fried coating and the umami of the squid.
Period: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from November 7 (Saturday) to December 6 (Sunday), 2026
Location: Special tent near "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan"
Tohoku Performing Arts and PR Teams
Special stages let visitors experience the energy and culture of Tohoku. Performers include Iwate's "Onikenbai" (鬼剣舞), a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Aomori's "Nebuta Haneto" (ねぶたハネト), and the "Yamagata Ai no Bushotai" (やまがた愛の武将隊) and "HAPPY Fukushima Tai" (HAPPYふくしま隊) PR teams. Their performances, which convey the traditional arts and the appeal of each prefecture, fill the venue with the spirit of Tohoku.
Iwate: Traveling Wanko Soba
Hatsukoma (初駒), a long-established wanko soba restaurant in Morioka, brings Iwate's specialty wanko soba to the venue. Soba is dropped into the bowl in a steady rhythm, making for an impressive challenge. Participation requires an advance reservation and the tickets are already sold out, but visitors can freely watch the challenges from the outside.
- Dates: November 7 (Sat), 8 (Sun), 14 (Sat), and 15 (Sun)
- Time: 10:30 AM to around 4:45 PM
- Location: Inside "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan"
All advance-reservation tickets are sold out.
Fukushima: HAPPY Fukushima Tai Stage
A special stage by "HAPPY Fukushima Tai" (HAPPYふくしま隊), a hospitality group that cheerfully promotes the appeal of Fukushima. Through songs and performances, they present Fukushima's many attractions, including sightseeing, food, and the warmth of its people.
- Dates: November 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun)
- Performance times: ① 11:00 AM ② 1:00 PM ③ 3:00 PM
- Location: "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan"
Fukushima: Okiagari Koboshi Painting Experience
A painting experience with "Okiagari Koboshi" (起き上がり小法師), a traditional Aizu craft loved as a good-luck charm because it rights itself after being knocked over. Visitors can paint their favorite colors and expressions to make a one-of-a-kind travel memento or souvenir.
- Dates: November 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun)
- Times: ① 11:35 AM to 11:55 AM ② 1:35 PM to 1:55 PM ③ 2:00 PM to 2:20 PM ④ 3:35 PM to 3:55 PM
- Location: Main Building Plaza (本館プラザ)
- Fee: Free
A numbered ticket is required to take part. Tickets are distributed from 10:00 AM at the entrance gate, limited to the first 50 people each day and ending when they run out.
Aomori: Nebuta Haneto Stage (Performers: Chubu Aomori Kenjinkai)
To the spirited shouts of "Rassera!" and festival music, the performers present the dance of the "haneto" from the authentic Aomori Nebuta Festival. The lively performance unites the venue, and visitors can enjoy the energetic stage up close. The performers are from the Chubu Aomori Kenjinkai (中部青森県人会).
- Dates: November 21 (Sat) and 23 (Mon, public holiday)
- Performance times:
- November 21: ① 11:00 AM ② 3:00 PM
- November 23: ① 12:00 PM ② 1:30 PM
- Location: "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan"
Iwate: Onikenbai Stage (Performers: Nagoya Onikenbai)
"Onikenbai" (鬼剣舞) is a traditional performing art of Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the national government and inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. "Nagoya Onikenbai" (名古屋鬼剣舞), which has been recognized as an official transmission group of this art with a history of 1,300 years, will perform. Wearing otherworldly masks, the dancers stamp the ground with powerful, heroic steps in a dance that is a must-see.
- Dates: November 22 (Sun) and 28 (Sat)
- Performance times and locations:
- November 22: ① 11:00 AM ② 3:00 PM at "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan"
- November 28: ① 10:15 AM ② 1:00 PM at Main Building Plaza (本館プラザ)
About the Performing Group "Nagoya Onikenbai"
Nagoya Onikenbai is a performing arts group, active mainly in the Tokai region, that carries on Onikenbai, the nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage handed down in Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture.
After 14 years of regularly visiting the master of "Iwasaki Onikenbai" (岩崎鬼剣舞), regarded as the originator of Onikenbai, to receive instruction and continue training, the group was recognized as an official transmission group in 2023 and made its debut. Inheriting the traditional repertoire and spirit that go back about 1,300 years, it shares the appeal of Tohoku's traditional performing arts through heroic and powerful dances.
Miyagi: Kokeshi Painting Workshop
A workshop where visitors can freely paint "kokeshi" (こけし), wooden dolls loved as a folk toy of Miyagi. Using a plain white wooden doll as a canvas, participants draw expressions and patterns with a pen. It is well suited to making a travel memento or a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
- Date: November 29 (Sun)
- Time: From 11:00 AM, ending when supplies run out
- Location: Inside "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan"
- Fee: ¥500
Limited to the first 50 people.
Yamagata: Warlord Troupe Performance (Performers: Yamagata Ai no Bushotai)
The "Yamagata Ai no Bushotai" (やまがた愛の武将隊), which promotes the appeal of Yamagata, will take the stage. Famous warlords associated with Yamagata appear in armor and perform graceful sword fights and powerful dances. With light-hearted talk, the stage brings the appeal of Yamagata, shaped by its history and climate, to the whole venue.
- Dates: December 5 (Sat) and 6 (Sun)
- Performance times: ① 10:30 AM ② 12:30 PM ③ 2:00 PM
- Location: "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan"
Tohoku Bussan Fair: A Gathering of Tohoku's Delicious Foods
The fair brings together popular local gourmet items, including Akita's specialty "Babahera ice cream" (ババヘラアイス), known for being served in a petal-like arrangement, and Hanamaki, Iwate's specialty "Chikara Anpan" (力あんぱん), which contains a whole daifuku. A wide selection of fine sake from around Tohoku, popular confectioneries, and specialty products rich in local character is also available. Visitors can look for Tohoku's proud flavors and their favorite souvenirs while enjoying a travel mood.
Akita: Babahera Ice Cream — ¥450 (Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only)
Babahera ice cream is an Akita specialty that is served in a beautiful petal-like arrangement. The festival sells it as a souvenir cup ice cream that captures the nostalgic, refreshing, crunchy texture created by the strawberry (pink) and banana (yellow) flavors. Visitors can enjoy the authentic taste.
Sold only at the special tent on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Fukushima: Kinko Koseki's Golden Melon Pan — ¥400
The "Golden Melon Pan" (古関金子さんの黄金メロンパン) is a sweet melon pan from the local bakery Ra Santa Land (ら・さんたランド), made to give form to the relationship between composer Yuji Koseki (古関裕而) of Fukushima City and Kinko (金子) of Toyohashi City, the couple who were the models for the NHK morning drama series "Yell" (エール). Rich custard cream, inspired by the stylish and passionate personality of Kinko, who loved melon pan, melts in the mouth together with a golden biscuit dough made with plenty of egg yolks.
Iwate: Chikara Anpan (Assorted) — From ¥250
"Chikara Anpan" is a local specialty that has long been loved in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture. A whole piece of mochi is wrapped inside the bread, and the chewy texture goes well with the gentle sweetness of the sweet bean paste.
Period: November 7 (Saturday) to December 6 (Sunday), 2026
Location: Special tent near "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan" (Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only), and Little World Bazaar (リトルワールドバザール)
All products are in limited quantities and end when sold out.
Yamagata Souvenirs from the Yamagata Prefecture Nagoya Office
A special product booth by the Yamagata Prefecture Nagoya Office (山形県名古屋事務所), which promotes the appeal of Yamagata, will open. It offers classic confections nurtured by Yamagata's rich nature and climate, along with popular local gourmet items and specialty products. It is a special chance to shop for a variety of flavors that Yamagata is proud of, recommended by local staff.
- Dates: December 5 (Sat) and 6 (Sun)
- Location: Special tent near "Yamagata: House at the Foot of Mt. Gassan"
Events are subject to change without notice.
Attending each event is free of charge, but the Little World admission fee is required separately.
Stage shows will be held at a different location in case of rain.
All images are for illustration purposes only.
All prices include tax.
For more information, visit the Little World official website.
