Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2012

The Pacific saury is not a fish most would know the name of in English, but those who’ve spent some time in Japan would have undoubtedly eaten this sleek silver fish usually found skewered with a stick over a fire. The Meguro no Sanma Matsuri (Tanjo Hachiman Shrine, by Meguro station; www.owarai.to/meguro) is the place to gobble one for free, with 6,000 Iwate-sourced fish available to the first punters, cooked over binchotan coal from Wakayama, and given out along with sudachi lime from Tokushima and daikon radish from Tochigi. Rock up at one of four times on Sep 9 to get your ticket (9am, 10:30am, noon and 1:30pm). Rakugo storytelling and awaodori dancing will be available for some cultural feasting, too.