Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2011

Gotanda has been beefing up its image as a carnivorous heaven since last year. Sunday, November 27 is the first anniversary of its Meat Festival, when more than 1,000 free servings of yakiniku will be distributed from 10am at Osaki-Bashi Square (1-10 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku; http://niku.aruyo.org). Just head to affiliated restaurants in the area and grab a voucher, then show it to the guys in orange happi marked with “肉” or niku (meat). Get there early to beat the expected 5,000 punters, but if you miss the free stuff you can shell out a few yen for other nourishment from the stalls.