What do the Japanese do on Halloween?

Halloween in Japan is a recent phenomenon.

Halloween is the day when the barrier between the living and the dead is thin in Western tradition. But, Japan already has this with the holiday O-Bon where the spirits of the dead visit in August. During O-Bon offerings are given to ancestors and spooky stories are told.

So how did Japan adopt this very Western holiday?

Halloween in Japan Traditions

Japan really started celebrating Halloween in 2000. Events such as the infamous Yamanote Line Gaijin Train helped popularize the holiday.

In 2000, Tokyo Disneyland started its first Halloween event. Other theme parks such as Universal Studios Osaka followed and the events grew in popularity.

Since then, Halloween has exploded into a mass cosplay party event, focused on adults rather than children. There are many flashmobs, parties and parades throughout Japan for Halloween revelers. Costumes are also a huge part of Japan’s cosplay culture. J-fashion such as Elegant Gothic Lolita and anime cosplay are everywhere in the streets of Tokyo in the Halloween season.

Do Kids in Japan Go Trick-or-Treating?

Trick-or-treating in the traditional sense isn’t done in Japan. Going door-to-door in the neighborhood would be considered a being nuisance in Japanese culture (meiwaku wo kakeru).

But trick-or-treating for kids does exist in more organized forms!

Here are a few events that have organized trick-or-treating for kids in Japan:

Huis Ten Bosch: A Dutch theme park in Nagasaki.

You can enjoy the Halloween theme both day and night with illuminations, Halloween foods, shows, and fireworks. If you are with kids, buy the Halloween basket, then go ahead for trick or treating! At the designated stores, friendly staff will give away some candies!

Halloween at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea:

Both parks are decorated with Halloween-themed decorations. Visitors can see their favorite Disney characters dressed in Halloween costumes. The parks host special events during the Halloween season, including parades, shows, and trick-or-treat activities.

Omotesandō Halloween Pumpkin Parade:

Children aged 12 and under, and their guardians, can participate in the parade. As trick-or-treating is one of the activities, kids can get some treats afterward, and shops and restaurants around the area give special discounts and services to costumed participants

Do Japanese schools celebrate Halloween?

Japanese activities and small festivals are common in Japanese elementary schools and kindergartens. Middle and High Schools may have some Halloween-themed activities (especially in English lessons!).

Do people in Japan dress up for Halloween?

Yes! Japan’s cosplay culture adores Halloween and the most prominent parties in Japan revolve around dressing-up.

Here is a list of a couple of prominent events where Japan dresses up for the spooky season:

Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival:

This festival started in 2014. In 2019, over 20,000 cosplayers dressed up as their favorite anime, manga or videogame characters. In normal years, around 100,000 attendees assist as spectators of this festival to watch the different performances that make up this two-day event.

Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival:

The main event is the parade, but the actual festival lasts a whole day. You can turn yourself or your kids into cats if you show up early enough to get one of the limited Cat Make-Up Tickets. You can also try to win the Dance Competition. There are also cat-themed foods, cat-themed good and parade (500 Yen/3.80 Euro entry fee for adults and teenagers), and much more.

What happens in Shibuya on Halloween?

The most (in)famous event in Japan during Halloween takes place in Shibuya. Huge crowds gather around Shibuya Crossing for cosplay, revelry and often mischief. After a truck was turned over in 2022. The Mayor of Shibuya put a ban on sales of alcohol in the area around Halloween and increased security. This has discouraged visitors from attending the unofficial flash mob event.

In past years the Shibuya Halloween celebrations grew infamous for rowdiness and drunkenness. But also good costumes and great photo opportunities.

Will they cancel Halloween in Shibuya 2025?

The Shibuya celebrations were never part of an official event, so they aren’t technically ‘canceled’.

But since last year, Shibuya’s Mayor has taken steps to curb the gathering and drinking in Shibuya during the Halloween season. So from this year the crowds will be much smaller and more sober.

However, there will always be a big Halloween party somewhere in Tokyo, if not Shibuya then elsewhere. Halloween celebrations are everywhere in Tokyo and there’s no finer excuse to drink, wear costumes and have fun!

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