What’s special about Halloween in Japan?

 Though still the same event, Halloween in Japan is rather different from the original Halloween that you would find in the West. How different is Halloween in Japan compared to Halloween in the West? What’s so special about Halloween in Japan? Let’s find out with GoEMON in this article down below! 

1. Some general information about Halloween in Japan: 

Although officially held on the 31st of October, you can feel the Halloween atmosphere a few months prior, throughout September and October as well. Some stores will even start selling Halloween merchandise and products around the end of August, which is 3 months before the official date of the event! 

Some of the best cities to celebrate Halloween include Tokyo, Osaka, and Kanagawa, with huge parties, large-scale flash mobs, and grand parades. 

Some people would enjoy Halloween with family, friends, and their loved ones. However, the majority, especially the generation, would choose to party hard in nightclubs, and bars, or enjoy the vibrant and cheerful atmosphere by going to amusement parks or just simply heading out to the streets. 

Halloween in Japan is not limited to a certain age group: the event is celebrated and famous to people regardless of their age. At Japanese schools, especially kindergarten and elementary schools, teachers often organize Halloween-related activities, such as drawing Halloween-themed pictures, making costumes, parties where children can dress up as their favorite characters, and so on. 

2. Activities during Halloween 

• Tokyo Disneyland: Halloween events are held in Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea during September and October 

This includes a grand parade with more than 10 participants, including guest celebrities and professional performers, many haunted attractions and street shows, and dance parties with ghosts and goblins. At sunset, many of the park’s characters will transform into haunted versions of themselves and stroll around to scare park visitors. 

• Universal Studios Japan: There is an event called Universal Surprise Halloween held during September and October 

There will be a haunted house and many other spine-chilling activities, which also include special Halloween-themed experiences for you to participate in and become completely immersed in the spooky atmosphere of the festival. Just like in Disneyland, the characters at Universal Studios Japan will also transform into haunted versions of themselves when the sun sets. 

• Sanrio Puroland: This is the place to go for those who are in love with Sanrio characters! During October, to celebrate Halloween, the park will hold an event called “PuroHalloween.” During this time, the Sanrio characters that we all know and love will be dressed up in super cute Halloween costumes. There will also be special shows and parades, and Halloween costumes will also be available for rent for those who want to dress up as well!

3. Halloween Costumes 

One of the most interesting things to do on Halloween is dressing up as your favorite character. However, Halloween costumes in Japan aren’t the same as what you would often see in the West. Rather than just dressing up as traditional Halloween characters such as ghosts, mummies, demons, or witches, the Japanese would dress up as everything and anything: from their favorite fictional characters to real-life celebrities or even normal life people. The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid and give it a try! 

Hence, many cosplayers would also make use of this occasion to showcase their best outfits. This is especially true if you are to walk along the streets of Akihabara - Otaku Heaven in Tokyo. 

Those who do not want to spend too much money on costumes can go to Daiso (or just any 100 yen store) and Don Quijote. These stores have a wide variety of cute and affordable costumes. 

4. What to eat during Halloween 

One major difference between the traditional Halloween in the West and Japanese Halloween is that there is no trick or treat in the latter. However, during the month of Halloween and even the preceding months, most chains, restaurants, cafes, and such in Japan would be releasing a bunch of Halloween-themed menus to celebrate the holiday. They would generally be made from fall-related ingredients like pumpkin or sweet potato. 

These items are usually only available for a limited period and would not come back until next year’s Halloween (or might not even come back at all!), so make sure to give them a try when you still have the chance! 

5. The trains during Halloween

One thing about Japan is that its people mostly use public transportation to get around. And among those, trains are the most popular option. Hence, during Halloween, you can easily find people dressed up in costumes in train stations and on the train as well, on their way to hang out and celebrate the occasion. 

Though not a traditional event, Halloween is undoubtedly one of Japan’s largest and most significant events. What are your plans for Halloween this year? Feel free to comment and share with us in the comment section! 

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