Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2012

Way out west along the Chuo line in Tachikawa, the massive annual food fair Manpaku (Tachikawa-shi; http://manpaku.jp) will be setting up from May 26-June 3 in Showa Kinen Park, after around 100,000 people successfully stuffed their faces there last year. Pay your ¥500 entry fee (free for elementary kids and under) and gain access to no fewer than 80 stalls serving up ramen, gyoza, curry, various sweets, and plenty of local specialties from all over Japan. The beer garden will keep you frothing up to the gills with craft and local beers, and from June 1-3 there will be a Tokoshima market to explore, too.