Tokyo (People's Daily) - Thousands gathered over the weekend to celebrate the second Sichuan Festival in Tokyo, Japan. 

Long queues spilled out of stalls before the opening, as people hurried to get a taste of Sichuan cuisine. 

Sichuan dishes are known for their deep and rich spiciness, thanks to the Sichuan pepper, which is a powerful ingredient and gives a distinctive flavor. 

"Mapo Tofu is the most popular Sichuanese cuisine in Japan," said Liang Zheming, second secretary to the consular section of the Chinese Embassy in Japan. 

Authentic Chinese food and wine were also served during the festival. The Sichuan Festival is the first huge eating and drinking event operated by the Asian Federation to spread Sichuan cuisine to Japan.

Sichuan is also known as the home for pandas, as Japanese children were encouraged to take photos together with panda dolls at the festival. 

(Compiled by Shan Xin, Wu Kai)