Marugame Udon Festival

Marugame Seimen - also known as Marugame Udon - the Sanuki udon specialty brand dedicated to handmade, freshly prepared noodles, will hold its inaugural Marugame Udon Festival 2025 on November 21-22 in Marugame City. The relationship between Marugame Seimen and Marugame City began in 2011 and has grown through collaborative cultural and community initiatives, culminating in the Marugame Udon Festival 2025. The festival celebrates the origins, evolution, and culture of Sanuki udon through immersive culinary, interactive, and cultural experiences for all ages.

Sanuki udon is a type of thick, chewy wheat noodle that originated in Kagawa Prefecture, formerly known as Sanuki Province, on Japan’s Shikoku Island. It’s known for its firm texture, smooth surface, and simple yet flavourful broth made from soy sauce, dried sardines, and kelp. Sanuki udon is one of Japan’s most famous regional noodle styles and a central part of Kagawa’s food culture.

Event Highlights

Festival Dates & Venues:

• Day 1: 21 November, 13:00-20:00 | Marugame Castle Lawn, Citizen Centre, Toricho Shopping Street, and other locations

• Day 2: 22 November, 10:00-20:00 | Same venues

The festival spans five areas in Marugame City and features 22 events, including:

• Guinness World Record™ Challenge - Largest Udon Tasting Event: Participants, including actress Aya Ueto, will sample over 33 different udon varieties at Marugame Castle Lawn.

• Marugame Eating Contest - “Kuippuri Grand Prix”: 
Contestants compete for the best way to enjoy Sanuki udon, with audience voting and awards presented by Aya Ueto.

• SANU-1 Grand Prix: 
A contest for udon chefs from Kagawa, Kansai, and Kanto to compete for the title of Japan’s top hand-made Sanuki udon.

• Opening Ceremony: 
Featuring speeches by Marugame City Mayor Matsunaga, executives from Toridoll Holdings and Marugame Seimen, and Aya Ueto. Performances include a collaboration between local taiko drum troupe Basara Taiko and “Ono Udon”.

• Marugame Udon & Udonuts Kitchen Car: 
Visitors can enjoy freshly made udon and the festival’s innovative “Marugame Udonuts” for free.

• One-Night Special Udon Collaborations
: Unique chef pairings create limited-edition udon only available at the festival.

• Handmade Udon Workshops: 
Children can participate in hands-on udon-making classes, guided by Sanuki udon chefs, including Yoichi Shirakawa of SIRAKAWA.

• Limited-Time Udonuts Shop: 
Special Marugame Udonuts sets with regional ingredients are available in Toricho Shopping Street.

• UDOCAL Social Forum
: Discussions on Kagawa’s culinary and cultural future, led by local and global thinkers, including Jun Kaname, a Japanese actor , known also as voice actor for anime character Vice Governor of Udon Prefecture from the anime "Poco's Udon World".

• Marugame City Civic Centre: 
Udon-themed activities, artisan workshops, and hands-on experiences for children.

• Local Cultural Performances: 
Including Basara Taiko drum performances and shows by Reoma Resort characters Peddy & Polly.

• Contemporary Circus Performances
: Hosted by Setouchi Circus Factory and France’s Compagnie Basinga near the future Theatre MAdo.

• Illumination Walk
: The “Smile Project VI” lights up Torimacho Shopping Street, with a lighting ceremony on 22 November.

• Kitchen Car Street & Stamp Rally: 
Explore the festival areas via food trucks and participate in a stamp rally to win limited-edition festival merchandise.

Festival Merchandise & Donations

Limited-edition items such as festival towels, stickers, and collaborative products with local Kagawa businesses will be available. A portion of the proceeds will support children’s initiatives and the ongoing promotion of Sanuki udon culture in Marugame City.

You’ll find lots of tasty udon dishes to try and enjoy!