Japan is the place to be if you want to experience Halloween in all its strange and wonderful glory. Although the celebration may look a little different from what you are used to, the atmosphere will leave a lasting impression. From dressing up as your favorite anime character to watching fireworks, celebrating Halloween in Japan will be an experience that you won’t soon forget. Whether you are in Tokyo, Osaka, or somewhere else in Japan, we’ve got a lineup of ways to get into the spooky spirit of the holiday.
Halloween Theme Park Events in Japan
Tokyo Disneyland Halloween
Tokyo Disney Resort is home to Japan’s best Halloween theme park events, and it hosts a variety of unique Halloween-themed parades. Check out the Mickey and Minnie Mouse Spooky Boo! Parade, and you might spot Maleficent at The Villains Rocking Halloween Parade. Tokyo Disney Resort is also known for its fireworks displays. Not only are they fun to watch, but they’re also a great way to experience Japanese culture. They will host a special fireworks event called Night High Halloween this year.
Dates: September 15–October 31
Website: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/show
Universal Studios Japan
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan is a spooky event that runs annually at the theme park in Osaka. This year’s Halloween Horror Nights has even more attractions and horrifying experiences than before! The theme park features a variety of scare zones and interactive experiences designed to test the courage of visitors. Universal Studios Japan also offers guests a chance to experience horror firsthand. Some of the experiences include Resident Evil The Extreme, Street Zombies, and Chucky’s Hospital Ward of Madness. For a glimpse of some of the experiences, check out this video.
Dates: September 9–November 6
Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/events/no-limit-halloween-2022
LegoLand Japan Resort
LegoLand is hosting a Halloween attraction called Monster Party. It’s a fun-filled event created for parents and kids. The event includes a large-scale maze with five doors you can choose from to enter the maze. In addition, the maze has a mirror room, a trick room, a giant vampire statue made from Lego blocks, and a trick-or-treat station where visitors can receive candy
Dates: September 16–November 3
Website: https://www.legoland.jp/operation/seasonal-events/
Watch Scary Movies and Shows
Nope
Jordan Peele is becoming well known for directing great horror movies like Get Out. His latest horror film Nope features Daniel Kaluuya as the lead actor and Kiki Palmer, who plays his sister. The film is set on a horse ranch in Southern California. OJ (Kaluuya) sees a flying object from the sky hit his father, who dies shortly after the incident. From then on, a series of strange things start unfolding. The movie is out in cinemas across Japan.
Squid Game
Squid Game is a unique Netflix original series set in South Korea. The TV show blends the best of the horror movie genre with the suspenseful thrills of an action movie. Squid Game follows hundreds of cash-strapped competitors who enter a series of challenges in hopes of winning loads of cash. The risk? Losing a game may mean losing your life. This jaw-dropping show was trending on Netflix and social media in 2021.
The Ring
The Ring is a remake of the famous Japanese horror movie Ringu, also known as Sadako. The film stars Naomi Watts and Jodie Foster as two sisters who are haunted by an unknown force that takes the form of a videotape. After watching the tape, the viewer experiences many of the same things that happen in the movie. The Ring has been cited as one of the most influential horror movies of all time and has inspired many other films.
Death Note
Death Note is a well-known anime series in Japan. It tells the story of a teenage boy named Light Yagami, who discovers a notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name is written on its pages. With the Death Note in hand, Light sets out to rid the world of evil. However, after fighting many criminals to keep the Death Note safe, Light realizes how evil he truly is. The series is based on a Japanese manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, first published in 2003.
Halloween Street Parties in Tokyo
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing Halloween is a yearly event on October 31 in Tokyo. It’s one of the most popular Halloween street parties and is a great place to see people wearing costumes. The area also has a unique atmosphere with high foot traffic and vibrant music. The area is always crowded, so arriving early is recommended if you want to find a nice spot. There are many different things to see and do at the crossing, including shops, restaurants, convenience stores, bars, and sightseeing spots like Shibuya SKY.
Nearest station: Shibuya Station
Date: October 31
Roppongi Hills Halloween Parade
Roppongi Hills Halloween Parade has become a popular event attracting thousands of visitors annually. It is a must-see event if you’re in town for Halloween and want to get your Halloween fix. The street party features a host of costumed characters. Some people even make reservations at nearby restaurants afterward. If you’re going to end the night with dancing, you can head to R2 and R3 clubs near Roppongi Hills Crossing.
Nearest station: Roppongi Station
Dates: October 29–31
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