Yamagata City appoints comedy star as first ramen ambassador

Yamagata City, Japan’s top ramen‑consuming municipality, has created a new "Yamagata City Ramen Public Relations Ambassador" role to boost tourism and strengthen its brand as a ramen destination. The first ambassador is Suga‑chan Saikou No. 1, a member of the local comedy trio Party‑chan, who says "99 % of my body is made of Yamagata ramen" and will promote the city’s diverse noodle culture nationwide.

The city boasts more than 200 ramen shops offering a wide range of styles—from beef‑bone shoyu to cold‑served ramen, spicy miso, and inventive toppings such as natto and squid. One highlighted shop, Tawara‑ya, serves a distinctive hand‑made ramen topped with slow‑cooked beef and simmered daikon, exemplifying the city’s “ramen diversity” ethos.

The initiative aims to leverage this culinary variety to attract visitors, support local businesses, and reinforce Yamagata’s reputation as the "ramen holy land" of Japan.