Pop Japan

Winter season is the best time to eat soup to ​warm our chilly bodies. The Codfish Festival is being held from January 27 to 28 at the city of Nakamachi, Sakata-shi in Yamagata Prefecture. The highlight of the event is none other than the cod, popular for its mild flavor and dense, flaky, white flesh. One of the best dishes to be served at the festival is the Dongara-jiru (Cold Cod Fish, in English). It will be provided in a large pan that will fully satisfy your stomach. Aside from serving cod, there is also be sum drum performances. The Sakata Nihonkai Cod Fish festival originated from the Kakeyo Festival. During ancient Japan, there had been times that fishermen of the Yamagata Prefecture were not able to catch any fish. Because of this, when the time finally came that fish became available, the locals offered them to the Konourayama Shrine to give appreciation and plead for protection so the generous catch in the sea will continue.