The national tournament will be held in Hanamaki, the birthplace of Wankosoba, a local Iwate dish that is now known throughout the country!

Held every year on February 11th (Wankosoba Memorial Day), this unique contest sees participants compete to see how many bowls of the local dish, wankosoba, they can eat within the time limit of 3 to 5 minutes.

It all started in December 1957, when a plan was made to popularize wankosoba as a Hanamaki specialty, and it has continued to this day.

In imitation of sumo wrestling, which was a pastime enjoyed during the farming off-season at the time, the player who eats is called a "food master," the player who eats the most is called the "yokozuna," and a "gyoji" (gyouji) oversees the bouts.

The amount of soba noodles eaten is standardized to 10g, so approximately 1 bowl of soba noodles with sauce will accompany 15 to 20 bowls of soba noodles.

Every year, food experts (participants) are recruited and those boasting the best stomachs from all over the country engage in a heated battle.

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[Scheduled program for the day]

10:00 Opening movie & opening ceremony (sports explanation, etc.)
10:20 Mock battle by sponsoring companies
10:30 Elementary school competition
11:00 Team competition (1st session)
11:30 Intermission Dance Performance
11:45 Special Match: Local Media Announcer Competition
12:15 Local performing art, Shishi Odori(deer dance) performance
12:30 Team competition (2nd session)
13:30 Team competition (3rd session)
13:40 Team competition (4th)
14:10 Individual competition
14:40 Visitor rock-paper-scissors tournament (with prizes)
15:00 Awards Ceremony
15:30 Closing *These scheduled times may be subject to change or delay on the day.

In addition to the events on the main stage (large hall) mentioned above, there will also be a soba teahouse where you can eat soba noodles (charges apply), performances by local performing arts and community bands, and food trucks and stalls.

[Access information]

■Access to the Cultural Center Private car/rental car: Approximately 6 minutes by car from "Hanamaki Minami IC" City circular bus: "Hoshi Meguri-go (left-handed)" Approximately 15 minutes by bus from Hanamaki Station, get off at "Cultural Center Mae", then walk for 5 minutes "Fukuro-go (right-handed)" Approximately 23 minutes by bus from Hanamaki Station, get off at "Cultural Center Mae", then walk for 5 minutes (100 yen per ride)
■ Parking
Cultural Center Parking(approximately 350 cars, free), Temporary Parking(Hanamaki Insurance Center, etc.) *Please follow the directions of staff on the day of the event.