Halloween in Japan?

19 comments

1. “celebrated” as something traditional, no. Some people dressing up, some young people partying, yes, a bit. There were some excess in the past, so it has tamed down a bit.

2. It’s a staple of the Japanese festival calendar and traces its Shinto roots back to at least the Nihonshoki, with evidence of celebrations all the way back to the Jomon period where traces of pumpkin seeds were excavated together with the pottery.

3. I was in Tokyo last Halloween and there was really nothing special going on. Maybe a few people in costumes and a themed party at a gay bar, but nothing of note

4. People in Osaka/ Tokyo dress up and go out.. the most fun is USJ It has a bunch of Halloween attractions ( Chuckie, zombies) and a zombie parade… it’s the best time of the year to go

5. While I don’t live in Osaka or any big city here in Japan to give you advice about it myself (i live in the countryside), I did see a video of Osaka on Halloween and it was insanely busy with people drinking. Definitely a good place to check out.

   Edit: not sure why I’m being downvoted for answering this person’s question?

6. We went to Universal – they have horror nights and some of it is insanely scary

7. They celebrate in Osaka. There’s pub crawls and people dressed up. There’s organized Halloween parties for kids. A few other people have commented on USJ. I agree! Their Halloweekends are fun and honestly scary. We had a great time there.

8. Searching “halloween” gave tons of results….

9. When I lived in Tokyo it was a big party night for adults. (Rip metropolis glitter ball at velfarre lol) I’m not sure if it still is but I wouldn’t be surprised. I don’t remember seeing kids dressed up or trick or treating or anything, but dressed up + going out adults for sure was a thing back then

10. People who used to enjoy cosplay in Shibuya have been gathering in Osaka since last year or the year before.

11. Is Halloween celebrated? Is your child going to a preschool with English classes? Yes.   Are you a 20 something who likes western dance clubs? Yes. Street Halloween? It was amazing back in the day but it’s done. Very done. trick or treating door to door? No way. Mass commercialization with Halloween characters and products at Daiso and the Conbini and grocery stores? Hell yes.  

12. USJ is amazing during Halloween. 

13. I was in Toyko on 31 October a few years ago, and the only Halloween-things I saw were displays in shops and the like.

14. It’s a big country with a lot of people, so you can find some people celebrating pretty much anything.

15. I had been led to believe they celebrated a good bit in Shibuya and there was tons of people out but very few were in costume. It was a bit of a disappointment

16. Halloween merch is common now in Japan. You can try some of Halloween themed dishes in cafes and restaurants. Or you will find some Halloween themed special packages in various stores. Or you will enjoy cosplay at Tokyo Disney Land or other theme parks.

    Besides the above, the GP doesn’t cerebrate it as English speakers do.

    Once some neighborhood tried to introduce this custom in order to entertain their own children, but many tourists (mostly domestic) rushed to it and ruined that fun. Today such communal activities have become unpopular more and more.

17. Check out what’s going on in toei studio in kyoto or similar closed/ticketed events. I went to the 100 yokai night walk festival last year and it was fantastic. Just avoid street festivals.

18. We were in Tokyo this past Halloween. We went to an emo night that specified it was a costume party. On the way there we were the only people dressed up outside of our specific party. The people who were at the event had lots of fun costumes! But emo night is already a pretty western thing

19. I was in Osaka for Halloween in 2024. Can confirm the kids were acting wild in front of Donki. There was a police presence, and I think they eventually got the crowd to disperse after midnight.

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