Halloween in Japan is quite different from the usual trick or treating most people are used to. Unlike other countries, Halloween doesn’t revolve around kids circling the neighborhood for candy. Instead, they have the following:
1. Costumes
If you are a foreigner celebrating Halloween in Japan for the first time, your Japanese/Japan accustomed friends would probably take you to Shibuya.
Every Halloween, thousands of people come to Shibuya to parade their costumes, take photos of people in costumes, drink and have fun with everyone. Of course, the party is alive in a lot of other places around Tokyo, and around Japan as well. Especially in places that hold Halloween parade events.
A number of people during Halloween has been a problem for a lot of commuters, but I don’t see this problem getting resolved anytime soon.
2. Halloween themed everything!
Restaurants and cafes especially love to theme their food after special occasions, and Halloween is no exemption. From staff wearing spooky costumes to jellies in the shape of eyeballs– for Japan, any occasion is a good PR opportunity!
3. Pumpkin flavored foods
When this time of the year rolls over, summery flavors are replaced by everything pumpkin. Pumpkin pies, pumpkin cakes, and even pumpkin flavored coffee. If you are a pumpkin lover, all the more reason to come to Japan during this season.
4. Amusement park events
Once a year, some amusement parks hold special events to make guests feel the spirit of Halloween. There are zombie apocalypse events, wherein you are chased around the park by zombies, your favorite characters dressed in Halloween costumes, Halloween parades, Halloween themed attractions and really intense horror houses.