I will be in Japan for Halloween, I was wondering what the vibes are? I’ve seen pictures of how packed Shibuya is, I was wondering if it is still like this post-covid? Also are any costumes not ok, if we were to dress up? And any rec’s regarding that night! Help!
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Full disclosure – I don’t know.
I do know that when I saw Halloween decor for sale *last week* in a mall, I was **surprised**.
(Flying Tiger in Aeon, Musashimurayama)
I’m also going to Japan on halloween 😂😂
I will be in Tokyo from 22-29 October. Can anyone confirm when the key halloween events are happening? Is it on the weekend of 28-29?
I believe it’s still alive and well, but they are cracking down on the drinking there so you cannot buy alcohol in Shibuya during Halloween at certain hours. We plan to be there as well this year regardless for the spectacle. If you’re concerned about covid Kobini Confessions did a video last year and it seemed pretty lively still.
Halloween was pretty wild both times I was there for it pre covid. Did Roppongi one year and Shibuya the next, Shibuya got insane but that’s probably toned down now after the incident in Korea. Roppongi was fun, clubs were quite lively and costumes were impressively elaborate.
Last year Shibuya was back. It was crowded. No-drinking zone perimeter. The crowd was well behaved and controlled, but I think they maybe were surprised by the turnout. The Scramble was jammed up with people stopping in the middle more than once. Given the fact that the business petition to shut it down every year, who knows? What happened in Seoul that night was sobering to hear about when we woke up the next morning. You wont see advertisements online for any of this. Most costumes you see are either serious cosplayers, or off the shelf Don Quixote masks. Most people out were not dressed up.
I will be in Tokyo that day. Just following here checking all the events 😁
Halloween has become a massive hit for Japan in the last decade. This includes a lot of imported Western traditions like trick-or-treating, parades, and spooky costumes. But there are also some events that have a distinctive Tokyo twist. Tokyo Halloween festivities can happen way before October 31 — there is something almost every weekend throughout the month of October.
You can just Google this stuff lol.
I will be in Tokyo for halloween too. So this post is interesting 🙂
Any ideas for Osaka during Halloween? I’ll be there during that
I’ll be Kyoto, any suggestions about events there ? Is it worth going to Osaka ?
Halloween isn’t what it used to be but it’s still super crowded. If you want to avoid abnormally large numbers of people it’s best to stay away.
I will be in Kamakura on October 31st. Anyone know what it’s like there for Halloween?
Will be in Japan during this time as well and funnily enough, I want to avoid the halloween crowd by going to Kyoto. I’m sure there will always be something happening-wise in Tokyo.
I went to Shibuya at 10pm during the Halloween celebrations and it’s not for the faint hearted.
The pros are the atmosphere was great, everyone is having heaps of fun and you see so many different costumes, from amazing to quirky. We did have a blast and definitely one of the more memorable things we’ve done in Tokyo (karting across Tokyo remains my no. 1).
The con is that time is probably the most crowded and we were so squished in the small streets of shibuya, we could hardly walk and were at the mercy of the flow of the crowd. It was a bit scary to be honest as it felt like it was close to a crowd crushing disaster like we’ve seen in Korean. I recall japanese media also discussed about how Shibuya Halloween had very similar traits as what they saw in Korea.
So I’d probably suggest going there a bit earlier where there’s a bit more space to move and also still see the cosplayers.
You better be ready to stay all night, since you likely won’t be able to get out on a train or bus.
Halloween 2016 in Tokyo was the greatest night ever; but it got rather rowdy since then I understand? I’d like to go back again and I guess bring a couple strong zeroes with me if there’s a booze ban.
I was in Osaka for Halloween last year! It was amazing! Ended up in a bar singing Billy Joel songs till late! So many hungover people lining up for food the next day!
It’s definitely starting to resume being a big event again. It’s fine to come in costume to Shibuya. Be aware that some clubs near Shibuya that don’t like the rowdy Halloween crowd will ban costumes though. But most clubs right in the area will be doing events.
Also you’ve probably heard but you can’t drink on the street in Shibuya during Halloween anymore so the vibe is a little different than before. I think most people drink before or go into a bar to get drinks now.