Noodle-Loving Manga Character and Nan’yō, Yamagata Team Up to Promote Ramen

Akayu Onsen has been in operation for more than 930 years. One story tells of samurai wounded in battle bathing here and discovering that their wounds were healed. Another story says that the name of the hot spring, which translates to “red water,” got its name as a result of wounded samurai blood coloring the water. (Courtesy Nan’yō Municipal Government)

Nan’yō ramen makes an appearance in Volume 9 of Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles. (© Take Shobō)

A flyer for the 2023 Nan’yō Ramen Card Rally. (Courtesy Nan’yō Municipal Government)

The Yamagata Railway Flower Nagai Line is a local line running between Akayu Station in the city of Nan’yō and the town of Shirataka. The “flower” in the name of the line comes from the many blossoms visible along the route. (Courtesy of Nan’yō Municipal Government)

Nan’yō Mayor Shiraiwa Takao holding a PR panel for local ramen that features the manga character Ms. Koizumi. (Courtesy Nan’yō Municipal Government)