Overview
- A national household survey released on February 6 shows Yamagata City leading ramen dining outlays in 2025 for the fourth year in a row.
- Per-household spending reached ¥25,102, a record high for Yamagata and an increase of ¥2,713 from 2024.
- Niigata ranked second at ¥19,073, with Utsunomiya third at ¥17,211, Fukushima fourth at ¥15,489, and Toyama fifth at ¥14,728.
- City hall hosted a celebration with the mayor and local shop owners, featuring Yamagata Maiko performances, lucky bag sales, and free ramen for the first 100 attendees.
- Local organizers point to post‑2021 initiatives—forming a promotion council, running digital stamp rallies, and developing the “山ラー” brand and website—as key contributors to the sustained lead.