Gekikara ('super-spicy') food is the focus of this eye-watering but extremely popular festival in Kabukicho. This year the event is divided into two rounds — one from May 4 to 9, the second round from May 10 to 16.
The currently ongoing second round features spicy dishes from Tokyo and nearby regions. You can try mapo tofu from Yokohama’s Sichuan restaurant Kyokarou, Do Miso’s miso orochon ramen, jjukkumi gui (spicy grilled octopus) from Shin-Okubo’s Budechige, spicy gyoza from Utsunomiya Gyozakan, and paella with carolina reaper peppers from Spain Club.
This event takes place at Cine City Square, right outside Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in Shinjuku.