Paella & Tapas Festival 2025 – 10th Anniversary –

Celebrating a Decade of Spanish Flavors: Japan’s Largest Spanish Food Festival Returns to Hibiya Park

The highly anticipated "Paella & Tapas Festival," the largest Spanish food festival in Japan, is set to take place once again in the vibrant setting of Hibiya Park. This year marks the festival’s 10th anniversary, promising an even more spectacular celebration of Spanish cuisine and culture.

The festival will feature the ever-popular "Paella Championship" and "Tapas Championship," where the best paella and tapas in Japan are determined by visitor votes—a heated competition that draws passionate participants and enthusiastic crowds each year. Adding to the excitement, the "Jamón Serrano Championship" will make its debut, showcasing the art of slicing jamón serrano right before the visitors’ eyes. Furthermore, to commemorate this milestone anniversary, the "Valenciana Paella Japan Competition" will be held, featuring paella made with authentic chicken and rabbit meat from the Valencia region. This is an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culinary traditions of Spain.

Festival Highlights

• The Grand Prix Showdown: "Paella Championship" and "Tapas Championship"

  The festival will once again host the intense "Paella Championship" and "Tapas Championship," where restaurants will compete for the coveted title of best paella and tapas. A panel of judges, well-versed in Spanish cuisine, will conduct rigorous evaluations, and the top three places in each championship will be determined by a combination of the judges’ scores and visitor votes collected over the three days. The results will be announced on the final day, April 6th (Sunday). Each year, participating restaurants showcase their creativity and culinary skills, devising unique paella and tapas specifically for the event, all vying for victory. The winning restaurants will be awarded the festival’s original "Paella Pan Trophy," crafted using an actual paella pan.

• Debut of the "Jamón Serrano Championship"

  In a first for the festival, the "Jamón Serrano Championship" will be held with the full cooperation of the Japan Jamón Serrano Association. This unique competition will take place inside a super-large kitchen car, where the art of slicing jamón serrano will be on full display. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the precise slicing techniques and enjoy the freshly cut jamón serrano before the fat melts—a truly sensory experience.

• "Valenciana Paella Japan Competition"

  A special domestic competition will be held, focusing on "Valenciana Paella," which is considered the origin of paella, made with chicken and rabbit meat. The competition will commence at 9:00 am on April 4th (Friday). Competitors will cook their paella over a wood fire, using the same ingredients and equipment, just as it is done in the Valencia region. The judges will taste and score the paellas on the spot. A special set allowing visitors to compare all the entries will be sold exclusively to members of the Japan Paella Association. The competition is primarily for restaurants participating in the Paella Championship. The winning restaurant will receive the championship trophy and a "training trip to Spain" as a supplementary prize from the Japan Paella Association—an incredible opportunity to further their culinary expertise.

• Support for Flood-Affected Areas in Valencia, Spain

  The festival will also be supporting flood-affected areas in Valencia, Spain, demonstrating a commitment to solidarity and community.

• Giant Paella

  A festival tradition, a giant paella, capable of serving up to 250 people, will be cooked in a 1.5m diameter pan. This culinary spectacle will be led by Yasutake Kurihara, owner-chef of El Tragón, who also serves as the secretary-general of the Paella & Tapas Festival Executive Committee and the Japan Paella Association. The sight of such a large paella being cooked is truly impressive, and the "paella art," decorated with paprika and green beans, will also be on display.

• Spanish Stage Performances

  The festival will feature a spectacular Spanish stage, with performances by the Flamenco Association, as well as venenciador performances pouring sherry. Hibiya Park will be transformed into a vibrant Spanish world, offering a complete cultural experience.

Please check the official website for further details.

Basic Information

• Venue: Hibiya Park
• Nearest Stations: Hibiya Station, Uchisaiwaicho Station, Yurakucho Station, Kasumigaseki Station
• Address: 〒100-0012 1-6 Hibiya Park, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo MAP
• Event Period: April 4th (Fri) – April 6th (Sun), 2025
• Time: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Last day: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
• Fees: Admission is free (Food and drink costs are separate)
• Payment Methods: Cash, Touch payment, Electronic money, QR code payment
• Inquiries: Paella & Tapas Festival Executive Committee Secretariat
  03-6811-1135
  [email protected]
• Official Website: https://www.ptfes.info/
• Rain Information: The event will be held rain or shine, but will be canceled in case of severe weather.

Please note that published content is subject to change. Please check the venue and organizer’s official website for the latest information.

🛏️ See hotels near Tokyo

What is Hibiya Park?

Hibiya Park is a public park in central Tokyo, Japan, established in 1903 as the country’s first Western-style park. Covering over 16 hectares, it features landscaped gardens, ponds, and diverse plant life that changes with the seasons. The park serves as a cultural venue, hosting events, concerts, and festivals that attract both locals and tourists. Its location near the Imperial Palace and districts like Ginza and Marunouchi makes it a convenient spot for a stroll, a picnic, or enjoying cultural activities.