Bar Kara Festa 2016

Bar-hopping with a side of the chilli is the recipe at this Takadanobaba foodie bash, which sees 27 bars and eateries in the area get together to serve spicy grub flavoured with Naito togarashi – a cayenne pepper plant that was widely grown around Shinjuku in the Edo era. This fiery fruit was lost and forgotten for centuries before being revived in 2008 through the grassroots efforts of locals, many of whom now grow it in their gardens and on balconies. Pick up a four-pack of tickets and start your spicy tour – each ticket can be exchanged for a combo of one drink and food item on the day. The full list of participating businesses can be viewed on the event's Facebook page.