Kuji City, Iwate — Japan’s Northernmost Bullfighting
Experience the Stories of Life
Journey to the home of Japan’s northernmost bullfighting tradition and the Yamagata Village Tankaku cattle. Walk the pastures, encounter bullfighting culture, and savor the gifts of this land.
The Land & Its People
About This Experience
The northernmost bullfighting tradition of Japan and the free-range Tankaku cattle culture of Yamagata Village have been passed down through generations in Kuji City, Iwate. We bring you the stories of the lives that thrive on this land, and the people who nurture them — delivered through travel. The raw power of bullfighting, the stillness of the pastures, the deep flavor of Tankaku beef. An authentic experience that speaks to all five senses.
Tour Contents
We offer small-group tours combining pasture walks, bullfighting culture talks, and a Tankaku beef dining experience. Meet local producers and tradition-bearers directly, and feel the living pulse of this land.
Upcoming Departures
Tour Schedule
August 22–23, 2026 | Kuji City, Iwate
[Summer Special] ‘Stories of Life’ with the Cattle — Bullfighting and a Birch Forest Adventure
September 5–6, 2025 | Kuji City, Iwate
Touch the Spirit of the Bull, Savor the Finest Red Meat — A Journey Tracing the Roots of Yamagata Village Tankaku Cattle Through Food and Healing
September 19–20, 2025 | Kuji City, Iwate
The Finest Red Meat Raised by Free Grazing — A Gastronomic Journey to the Homeland of Yamagata Village Tankaku Cattle
October 17–18, 2025 | Kuji City, Iwate
To the Harvest Season of Northern Iwate — An Autumn Gastronomic Journey with Yamagata Village Tankaku Cattle and the Bullfighting Tournament
In Their Words
Participant Voices

The bullfighting here is completely different from what I imagined — nothing like European bullfighting. Seeing the determination in the eyes of the cattle, I felt overwhelmed by the power of life itself and found myself in tears. Walking the pastures and sitting down to eat, I found myself rethinking the meaning of food. Two days I will never forget.
Shiina Family (Parent & Child)
As someone who researches agriculture and livestock, being able to feel the reality of the field firsthand was more valuable than anything else. I felt firsthand that the pride and love of the producers are crystallized in the beautiful red meat of Tankaku beef.
Mai Inui (20s, University Student)
In the area where I live, many local traditions are disappearing. The people of Kuji have such a strong sense of community. Touching the warmth of a long-established culture and the people who carry it made me want to come back again and again. I also learned a great deal from a business perspective.
Noriko Kurosawa (70s, Homemaker)
The children got to interact directly with the cattle and naturally learned the importance of receiving life with gratitude. The Tankaku beef BBQ we enjoyed under a starry night sky is the best memory our whole family shares — we all said we want to come back.
Fukagawa Family (Parent & Child)
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