About this event
Organized by the Umaji Village Agricultural Cooperative, the "Yuzu Hajimaru Festival" has been held since 2006 to celebrate and energize the start of the yuzu harvest in November. It is a day to further promote Umaji Village yuzu grown with methods conforming to organic standards, as well as to savor the village's food culture. At the venue, visitors can experience yuzu squeezing and purchase freshly squeezed yuzu at great discount prices, along with various dishes packed with yuzu—such as Umaji sushi—and freshly pounded mochi for sale. A diverse program will unfold on stage, including a speed-drinking contest of "Gokkun Umaji-mura." In addition, a free yuzu bath will be available for one day at Umaji Onsen, alongside activities like cedar log sawing and target shooting. As the village's largest festival—drawing about 3,000 visitors to a village of around 800 residents—the entire village turns into a festival venue featuring yuzu squeezing experiences, yuzu product sales, delicious yuzu cuisine, and stage performances. Once the festival ends, the village becomes extremely busy with the yuzu harvest, filled with light trucks and the fragrance of squeezed yuzu.
Official website (Japanese) ↗Venue
JA Umaji Village Yuzu no Mori Processing Plant
3888-1 Umaji, Umaji Village, Aki District, Kochi 781-6201
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