Halloween, once almost exclusively celebrated in the USA, has since spread through the world as one of the most popular nights of the year, and Japan is no different. Across the country, even those who aren’t into cosplay will shake off some old costume and head out into the night. But what is Halloween in Japan like? Are there any differences between Halloween in Japan and Halloween abroad? Let us take you through what you can look forward to in the spooky season!
What to Expect from Halloween in Japan 2025
While there is an impression that Halloween is geared mainly towards adults in Japan, this isn’t entirely true. While it is true that trick-or-treating is very rare in Japan, many schools will allow some costume contests, and younger children will carve pumpkins. In some towns, these carvings are displayed in public. In previous years, yakuza organized criminals would hand out candy to children, but this has been been criminalized.
For adults, Halloween is much like it is for adults in other countries: a big festival for the scary, and a chance to show off your costuming skills! There are costume parties, parades, and a number of parties! Even local communities and businesses will get in on the action, with Halloween-themed events and decorations.
Halloween Costumes and Cosplay Trends in Japan
Cosplay has been hugely popular in Japan for decades, and Halloween gives everyone a terrific excuse to show off their skills! While there are some mainstays that are appropriate to the season, such as zombies, witches, and vampires, many people will take the chance to dress as their favorite characters from anime, games, and movies.
Alongside classics, such as Sailor Moon, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Mobile Suit Gundam, many people will want to dress as characters from recent popular series. This year, there haven’t been too many break-out hits, in the anime or gaming world, that have been so important that they cannot be ignored, but you might look forward to seeing costumes from series like Uma Musume: Cinderella Grey, Frieren, and perhaps Thunderbolts*.
While not everyone goes all-out for costumes (and you’ll see plenty of off-the-shelf costumes from Don Quixote), many of the costumes on the scary side go all-out on gore, in comparison to many costumes overseas. You may also see some very elaborate costumes, which may have been previously trialed at professional cosplay events.
Top Places to Celebrate Halloween in Japan
Halloween is celebrated in many places all over Japan, but here are a few locations where you can be guaranteed a massive party.
Halloween in Shibuya
While there is no official Halloween event in Shibuya, for years this has been the place to go for a rowdy, fun time. However, because of the huge crowding and excessive amount of drinking (Japan generally permits drinking in public) in previous years, the Mayor of Shibuya and the police strongly discourage people going, as well as public drinking.
Nevertheless, the reality of the situation is that people will be going to Shibuya for Halloween to party regardless — suitably enough for a night of terrors, this is one time when the famously polite and careful Japanese people will ignore the rules. If you want to risk it, this is the original Japanese Halloween spectacular.
Halloween in Ikebukuro
A second Mecca for otaku, outside of Akihabara, Ikebukuro is well known for attracting cosplayers, which makes Halloween one of the biggest nights of the year for the area. Every year, over 20,000 people come in costume, with the Sunshine City area becoming a real party for anyone who likes to see anime, manga, and gaming come alive!
Not only that, but this festival lasts the Halloween weekend, so if you have to be somewhere else on Saturday, you’re in luck! While it’s free for spectators to attend, anyone wishing to don their costumes will need to pay roughly ¥3,000 per day, and photographers will also need to pay for a license for the event.
As an official event, there will be security and amenities provided for participants and spectators.
Halloween in Kawasaki
This city, right next to Tokyo, holds one of the largest spooky parades in Japan. For a small fee of ¥1,000, anyone can get dressed up as their favourite scary character and join the parade. If you thought that Ikebukuro’s crowds were impressive, get ready: every year this event attracts crowds of up to 100,000 people!
Because it is so large, many street food stalls are set up to keep hunger at bay, and at the end of the parade the best costume is awarded a prize of ¥500,000. The end of the parade isn’t the end of the festivities, however, as an after party goes long into the night, and there are also screenings of horror movies, pole dancers, and drag queens to keep up the Halloween atmosphere!
Halloween in Osaka
Japan’s second city is no slouch when it comes to strutting its scary stuff. Although there are no specific events in the same vein as Shibuya, the Dotonbori area comes alive (or should that be, “comes undead”?) with parties, decorations, and streets filled with costumed revelry.
Unsurprisingly, America-Mura is also extremely lively during Halloween, with bars and clubs filling up with people eager to do the Monster Mash long into the night.
Popular Halloween Events in Tokyo 2025
In addition to street parties and bar crawls, there are a number of organized events at theme parks and other gathering places all over Japan.
Halloween in Disneyland Tokyo
Although Disney never reveals their attendance information, this is always one of the most popular times of year, according to fans and regulars. This year, the event takes places from September 17 to October 21, and includes a season-specific villains’ parade, Halloween decorations (including a pumpkin Mickey to greet you) and the Night High Halloween display. In addition to all of this, you can enjoy Halloween-themed meals at the restaurants, when walking around has made you scarily hungry!
Universal Studios Japan
Not to be outdone, Universal Studios Japan has its own Halloween event: the Halloween Horror Nights! This year it promises attractions such as Street Zombies, Chucky’s Carnival of Chaos, and “Chainsawman: The Chaos 4-D”. During the day, kids can also enjoy the Pokemon Unstoppable Halloween Party, with dancing from Pikachu and other franchise mascots!
Halloween Traditions Unique to Japan
Japan’s Halloween, as mentioned, is more adult-themed than in many countries. A lot of people love dressing up, and often focus more on the blood and guts side of costumery than fun and sexiness, as is common in the USA.
Another thing that is common in Japan is for cafes and restaurants to create food and drinks especially for the season. You’ll see cakes, coffee, and cocktails made up in black, orange, green and purple.
How Tourists Can Enjoy Halloween in Japan
If you’re lucky enough to visit Japan during the Halloween season, then here are a few things to make your time more enjoyable. First, don’t be afraid to mingle and chat! Most people out on the town for Halloween are in a friendly, sociable mood, so feel free to come out of your shell.
For many costume parades, if you want to participate, you’ll need to change at the venue, after you pay your entrance fee. So it’s a good idea to keep your costume well organized and packed. While on some trains you’ll see people in costume, for the most part people will be in plain clothes, and may be a little weirded out if you show up in full Gundam regalia. As such, it’s a good idea to change into your costume at the event, and change back when you leave.
Additionally, while it’s likely that if you go to a party you might have a drink or two, it’s frowned upon to be rowdy on Japanese public transport, even at a time like Halloween, so try not to disturb other passengers.
Planning Your Trip for Halloween in Japan 2025
If you want to be in Japan specifically for Halloween, it’s a good idea to book your flight and accommodation early. While it’s not a huge holiday here, enough people visit to see cosplay competitions that you will want to avoid disappointment. It’s also a good idea to book a hotel near to any key locations or events, as public transport in Japan is efficient, but also closes relatively early, so you want to make sure you are close to where you are staying.
Experiencing Halloween in Japan 2025
Japan has enthusiastically embraced Halloween, whilst adding its own distinctive characteristics. There are events, fun, and even food here that cannot be enjoyed on All Hallow’s Eve anywhere else in the world. If you can keep your fear at bay, then you could have to visit Japan for Halloween. And one more thing… BOO!
