Kiritampo is the most famous food from Akita Prefecture. It is made by mashing newly harvest rice and grilling it on a wooden skwerer around a fire. Kiritampo can be enjoyed many ways, but most well-known is a stew call kiritampo-nabe that uses local vegetables and Hinai chicken. Every year Odate hosts the Kiritampo Festival after the autumn rice harvset, when the rice is the most delicioius.
Restaurants gather from around the region to compete to see who makes the best kiritampo-nabe and serve new kiritampo recipes. Throughout the festival there are live musical performances, dance shows, and plenty of hands-on activities!