Nagasaki may lay claim when to the title of best food-shaped bus stops in Japan, but Yamagata prefecture is no slouch either when it comes to category of delicious-looking public seating options.

That sentence may sound like a headscratcher at first, but one of the big local delicacies in Yamagata in imoni, a traditional stew made from simmering taro, meat, and veggies. Seen as a soul food in the region, many even gather by riverbanks and have imoni parties where they take in the fall scenery while enjoying a piping hot bowl of stew.

Twitter user @North_ern2 recently wowed many across the country showing off just how much the people of Yamagata love imoni stew when passing by Yamagata's "Japan's Number One Imoni Festival", and noticing a very appetizing looking and creatively designed bench:

"I've heard that Yamagata citizens put really put their heart into making imoni, but I love the fact that there is a bench where you can sit and become imoni ingredients yourself."

At the Kasumijo Central Building in Yamagata prefecture, @North_ern2 stumbled across a cleverly designed bench that allows anyone who sits in it to become part of imoni stew. Shaped like a bowl used for serving the stew, the round bench contains stone blocks modeled after the meat and vegetables commonly served in the stew, you can fit right in as part of the dish when you sit inside. The charming benches have drawn a lot of praise from many appreciating the design, as well as those learning just how much the people of Yamagata love their imoni.