Noodle eating festival

Japanese People from around the world gathered in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sunday for a "soba" noodle eating contest. The prefecture aims to promote its food culture globally after the New York Times listed Morioka City as a top tourist destination.

"Wanko soba," served in portions in small bowls, is a specialty of the region. About 80 people from seven countries and a region took part in the first international contest of its kind. Each contestant was given two minutes to eat as many bowls of buckwheat soba as possible. A Japanese team won the adult category.