#Japan #haccoba #YoiYoi #JR East #Minamisoma

A Unique Celebration: YoiYoi Festival and Special Train Tour

On April 19, 2025, the charming town of Odaka in Minamisoma, Fukushima will witness a vibrant celebration—the YoiYoi Festival. In a collaborative effort between haccoba, a local craft sake brewery, and JR East, a special tour named YoiYoi Dentetsu will delight attendees with a unique train journey. This event is not only about enjoying local food and drink; it’s a cultural revival in a region impacted by the aftermath of the nuclear disaster.

History of YoiYoi

YoiYoi originated in 2024 in Namie, a town that faced a population decline after the nuclear accident. It is designed to be a celebration that revives local traditions, featuring wild cooking over open flames, delicious sake, and live music shared among a small group of around a hundred participants. The second edition of the festival will take place in Minamisoma City, also a community that once had zero population due to the disaster.

Popular artists such as Gotch from ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, the duo chelmico, and local talents like Milu Shinoda and Utena Kobayashi will grace the festival with their performances. The culinary aspect will feature unique dishes prepared by skilled chef Tsuyoshi Kameya, known for his fire-cooked creations, alongside Takashi Takasaki, a master in warming sake. Combining these elements offers a truly primitive yet delightful experience.

Details of the Festival

• - Date and Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 14:30 to 18:00 (doors open at 13:30)
• - Location: Sayama Architecture Wood Warehouse, 1 Koyaki, Odaka-ku, Minamisoma City, Fukushima
• - Performing Artists: Gotch (ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION), chelmico, Milu Shinoda + Utena Kobayashi
• - Featured Chef: Tsuyoshi Kameya (KAMERA, Tenki)
• - Sake Master: Takashi Takasaki (Takasaki no Okan)
• - Special Participation: A collaboration with the D2021 project initiated by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Gotch for a special session.
• - Main Dish Ingredients: Sika deer meat sourced from local producer Antler Crafts, enhancing the local culinary experience with wild game.

Special Train Tour: YoiYoi Dentetsu

Travelers will have the unique opportunity to enjoy a special tour aboard a limited section of the Hitachi express train, aptly named YoiYoi Dentetsu. This train will take participants from Ueno Station to Namie Station, departing at 08:00 AM and arriving at 11:16 AM.

Highlights of the Train Experience

• - Philosophy Dialogues: Led by philosopher Rei Nagai, discussing philosophical topics while looking out the window at the landscape. This interactive session encourages passengers to engage in conversations about local memories and share personal reflections.
• - Unlimited Sake: True to the festive spirit, attendees will enjoy unlimited sake from haccoba during the journey. It’s a perfect match for a joyous celebration! Enthusiasts can look forward to a rich variety of haccoba’s craft selections, encouraging a festive atmosphere.

Be mindful that while the train and event promise joy, participants need to bring their own snacks as food will not be provided on board.

Additional Information

• - Tour Capacity: Limited to 60 participants.
• - Ticket Information: Tickets for the YoiYoi Festival are separate and not included in the train tour. However, participation in the special train event is open, even for those without a festival ticket.
• - Booking Details: More information and reservations can be found on JR East Travel's Special Tour Page.

About haccoba

Founded in February 2021, haccoba began brewing craft sake in a town ravaged by disaster, aiming to revitalize local culture through innovative sake making that transcends traditional boundaries. Since July 2023, they have expanded operations in Namie, reinforcing their commitment to bringing local culture back to life through craft and artistry.

• - Company Name: haccoba, Inc.
• - CEO: Taisuke Sato
• - Headquarters: 2-50-6 Tamachi, Odaka-ku, Minamisoma City, Fukushima
• - Website and Social Links: Official Site | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | LINE | note

Join us for a day filled with culture, philosophy, and delicious sake as we celebrate the spirit of revival in Minamisoma!