Around June 20th every year, the ‘Squid and Tuna Festival’ is held at the market of the Nenju-Seki Branch of the Yamagata Prefecture Fisheries Cooperative in Nezugaseki, Tsuruoka City. The event features a tuna-cutting show using tuna landed at Nezugaseki Fishing Port, as well as treats, a stall area offering local sake and grilled squid, food trucks, and more — an irresistible event for seafood lovers.

This time, I participated in the “Squid and Tuna Festival 2025” held on June 21, 2025, so I will report on the event along with photos!

What is the ‘Sake, Appetizers, and Nezugaseki – Squid & Tuna Festival ‘?

The 2025 “Sake, Appetizers, and Nezugaseki – Squid & Tuna Festival” was a early summer food and local sake event held at the Nenjugaseki Fisheries Cooperative Market in Nezugaseki, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture on Saturday, June 21. It was a very appealing event where attendees could fully enjoy seasonal squid and locally caught tuna.

The “Sake, Appetizers, and Nezugaseki – Squid & Tuna Festival ” is held every year, but it was not held from 2019 to 2022 due to the impact of COVID-19. In 2023, after the pandemic, it was held for the first time in four years and is lively again as an event that can be enjoyed annually.

Inside the venue, seafood stalls offering grilled squid, tuna dishes, turban shells, shrimp, and more are lined up as far as the eye can see, where you can enjoy them freshly grilled or fried.

You can enjoy freshly grilled and fried seafood of all kinds! Introducing a luxurious lineup.

Now, I will give a detailed report on the on-site situation of the “Squid and Tuna Festival 2025” that I attended! First, here is a map of the layout inside the market, which is the event venue.

In the middle of the market, there are seats for customers, and along the wall on the right side, there is a row of food stalls.

On the left side is the main stage, and even before the opening, a hefty, impressive tuna is already laid out on the table.

Next, when you take a peek at the ‘Sakeno Sakana Yatai Corner,’ piping hot grilled squid and scallops are waiting for customers, any moment now. The aroma of grilled squid and scallops is irresistible. The scent fills the surrounding area, and just by smelling it, you start to feel hungry.

Of course, there is also grilled turban shell! Grilled turban shell tastes delicious when you drizzle soy sauce on it, doesn’t it?

The skewer on the left here is octopus. Octopus skewers are also a special item unique to seafood events, and it’s a dish I’m really looking forward to.

Not only seafood, but there is also roasted pork. This is great for those who feel seafood alone is not enough or for meat lovers.

By the way, my favorite dish is deep-fried shrimp! This was not only popular with me but also with everyone who gathered, and we had to wait our turn until it was fried. Waiting for it to be ready was very exciting, and I couldn’t help feeling restless, anticipating the moment it would be done.

I enjoyed the freshly fried shrimp while blowing on them to cool them down. They were crispy and really delicious!

There are still plenty of seafood items available.

Even squid ink taiyaki!? Since it’s an ‘Squid and Tuna Festival,’ they probably use every part of the squid. Squid ink taiyaki is really unusual, isn’t it?

From the many food stall sections, where there are so many choices that it can be hard to decide, you buy what you like and enjoy it at your seat.

I bought squid yakisoba and grilled squid. When it comes to squid popcorn and yakisoba, they seem like standard seaside fare, but being by the sea made them even more delicious in that atmosphere. However, sadly, there were also top-quality sashimi and sushi available for purchase, but I forgot to take a photo.

Thick omelette from the local sushi restaurant ‘Asahiya.’ It was incredibly delicious. The thick omelette made by a sushi chef has a perfect sweetness and is very tasty. I got so excited eating it together with tuna caught at Nezugaseki Fishing Port!

Ice-cold local sake is a gem from the rice-producing Shonai region!

At the local sake section, if you purchase an all-you-can-drink ticket (advance ticket 2,000 yen, same-day ticket 2,500 yen), you can drink as much of several types of sake as you want.
Yamagata’s local sake is also delicious, so if you don’t have to worry about driving, I recommend enjoying it along with fresh seafood.

Starting with Hatsumago, which has a strong following among sake enthusiasts, a total of 10 brands from three sake breweries were featured in 2025. Bottles of the featured brands were also available for sale, allowing visitors to compare different sakes, which is a delight for sake lovers. (far right in the photo)

We had our chosen sake poured into special all-you-can-drink ochoko cups. As we gradually got drunk and couldn’t remember what we had, we took photos each time.

At first, I was saying things like ‘this is delicious’ or ‘I like this spicy flavor,’ but in the end, I just shouted, ‘Everything is delicious!!’ — I’m just a drunk person (lol). Anyway, seafood and local sake are a perfect match!

What was disappointing was that the local sake could only be enjoyed if you purchased the ‘all-you-can-drink ticket.’ Even if you don’t drink much sake but want to just taste a little of Shonai’s local sake… or have just one or two cups… it seemed you couldn’t do that.

However, draft beer is sold in cups. It’s ice-cold and goes down perfectly! It was a perfect match with the grilled squid yakisoba.

Tunas over 100kg are quickly cut into blocks! An impressive tuna-cutting show where it is handed out to a large crowd

The main tuna cutting show will finally begin at 11 o’clock.

At Nezugaseki Port, tunas weighing over 100 kg are being cut into blocks one after another.
The person wearing the tuna costume is the head of the Atsumi Tourism Association Nezugaseki Branch. They are said to be a chef at ‘Sushidokoro Asahiya,’ and their handling skills were very efficient and strong.

It’s almost unbelievable that a tuna weighing over 100 kg is being dismantled right before our eyes so quickly.

The staff in charge work together to prepare the tuna. Since many people are eagerly waiting to have the tuna sliced, it is necessary to prepare them all at once, and everyone worked desperately to do so. We are very grateful.

Amazing! Amazing! Right before our eyes, a 100kg tuna is being turned into sashimi! I can’t wait any longer!!

So many! It seems there are still more. This time, since the tuna weighs over 100 kg, I heard from the branch manager that they are preparing enough for 250 people.

Meanwhile, customers who are there for the performance are lining up outside the market, ignoring the dismantling show. Such an incredible line!

The serving of sashimi from the dismantled tuna is on a first-come, first-served basis and ends once it runs out. Regulars seem to line up immediately when the dismantling show begins. I was also able to get some relatively early in line.

Finally, it’s time to eat! The tuna melts in your mouth. Fresh tuna really does have a completely different taste. This goes perfectly with local sake (awesome!)I was very satisfied with sashimi and delicious local sake!

Squid Table Tennis?! Many other events too

After the tuna cutting show, there was a performance of Nenju Benten Taiko by local elementary school students. The powerful sound of the drums reverberates through your body. While the booming sound resonates throughout, the powerful drumming is pleasant, giving you a surge of energy.

Outside the market, there are food trucks selling ice cream and coffee. They are all perfect for a post-meal refreshment.

Speaking of Shonai, it’s Baba-Hera ice cream. Since it was being sold from a food truck, I bought some right away, and I always think that Baba-Hera ice cream is cold, sweet, and really delicious.

Furthermore, I didn’t try it, but it seems I can also play dried squid table tennis!

Even though just eating is satisfying, for those with children, playing squid table tennis together with their kids can create memorable stories, making it an even more fulfilling event.

Introducing Tourist Attractions Around Nezugaseki!

This is the sunset at Benten Island, located next to the Nenjukan Branch! Nezugaseki is wonderful not only for events but also as a tourist destination.

Here, I will also introduce a few sightseeing spots around Nezugaseki, so if you have the chance, please stop by.

・Benten Island & Itsukushima ShrineItsukushima Shrine is located on Benten Island, where a path appears and disappears with the tide. It is a place full of historical romance, with legends saying that Minamoto no Yoshitsune once landed here. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan while walking around the promenade.

• Nezugaseki Lighthouse (Lover’s Lighthouse)A white tower standing at the tip of Benten Island (Mother Island), recognized as part of the ‘Lover’s Lighthouse Project,’ making it a romantic spot. On clear days, you can see Awashima and Sado Island, and enjoy spectacular sunsets.

・Nenju no Matsu GardenA garden centered around a reclining dragon-shaped black pine tree approximately 400 years old. It stands 3.5 meters tall with branches stretching up to 20 meters and is designated as a prefectural natural monument. The garden can be visited for a maintenance cooperation fee of 100 yen.

Summary

The “Squid & Tuna Festival,” held annually at the Nezugaseki Nenju Station of the Yamagata Prefecture Fisheries Cooperative, offers visitors the chance to watch a live tuna cutting show and immediately enjoy the freshly prepared sashimi.Additionally, the festival’s food stalls offer a variety of Nezugaseki seafood, such as grilled squid and scallops, along with Shonai local sake.It’s delicious to eat, fun to explore the food stalls, and an absolute delight for seafood lovers!

By the way, I should mention that I enjoyed a lot of delicious local sake and seafood and got quite drunk. It was truly a fun and completely satisfying event!