Halloween In Japan: A Gaijin's Guide To 6 Spooktacular Traditions

I landed in Tokyo in late October 2023, jet-lagged but excited to start my new job as an English teacher at Honjo Metropolitan High School. Little did I know I'd stepped into Halloween mania, Japanese style!

The streets of Shibuya were a sea of costumes, with everything from anime characters to traditional yokai (Japanese monsters). Shops were bursting with Halloween goods, and even convenience stores had shelves full of themed snacks. I quickly learned that while trick-or-treating isn't big here, Halloween parties and events are huge, especially for young adults and families.

In this post, I'm gonna spill all the details about what makes Halloween in Japan so special. Trust me, it's way cooler than anything I ever saw back home (and perhaps in your home country too!). Stick around, and I'll let you in on the best parties, the wildest costumes, and even teach you how to say Happy Halloween in Japanese.

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When And Where is Halloween Celebrated in Japan?

Halloween in Japan is mainly celebrated on October 31st, just like in Western countries. However, you'll find Halloween events and decorations popping up as early as mid-September and lasting until early November. Unlike the West, where Halloween is often a one-day affair, Japan turns it into a month-long festival of costumes and fun.

The biggest celebrations happen in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama. Shibuya in Tokyo is the center of Halloween madness, with its famous Scramble Crossing turning into a massive street party on October 31st. But don't think it's just a big-city thing - even smaller towns get into the spirit with decorated shops and local events.

While Western Halloween focuses on trick-or-treating and spooky vibes, Japanese Halloween is all about costumes and socializing. Here, it's more of an excuse for adults to dress up and party than a kids' holiday.

Theme parks go all out for Halloween too. Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka start their Halloween events in early September, offering special parades, themed food, and spooky attractions that draw huge crowds.

How To Say Happy Halloween In Japanese

The most common way to say "Happy Halloween" in Japanese is "ハッピーハロウィン" (Happī Harowin). It's worth noting that Halloween is a relatively new celebration in Japan, only gaining widespread popularity in the 2000s. Because of this, there isn't a traditional Japanese phrase for Halloween greetings. The Japanese have simply adopted the English term, which reflects how this Western holiday has been embraced into modern Japanese culture.

It's interesting to compare Halloween with a traditional Japanese festival called Obon (お盆). Obon happens in mid-August and has a much deeper cultural significance. During Obon, Japanese people honor their ancestors' spirits, who are believed to return to visit their living relatives. This is when you might hear spooky stories or see some scary outfits in Japan.

In contrast, Halloween in October is more of a fun, casual event. It's a time for cool costumes and parties, but it doesn't have the spiritual meaning that Obon does.

Japanese Halloween Vocabulary

Ready to surprise people when you join a Halloween event? Learning some Halloween-related Japanese words can really boost your experience of the holiday in Japan. Whether you're planning to visit during the spooky season or just want to impress your Japanese friends, these words will come in handy.

Now that you've learned some Halloween vocabulary, try using these words in sentences! Here are some templates you can use:

私は[costume]に仮装します。
Watashi wa [costume] ni kasou shimasu.
I will dress up as [costume].

この[Halloween decoration]は とても [scary/spooky] です。
Kono [Halloween decoration] wa totemo [scary/spooky] desu.
This [Halloween decoration] is very [scary/spooky].

[monster]の仮装で ハロウィンパーティーに行きます。
[monster] no kasou de harowin paatii ni ikimasu.
I'm going to the Halloween party dressed as a [monster].

[candy]を買って、トリック・オア・トリートの準備をしました。
[candy] wo katte, torikku oa toriito no junbi wo shimashita.
I bought [candy] to prepare for trick-or-treaters.

Feel free to mix and match these vocabulary words with the sentence templates to create your own spooky Japanese sentences!

6 Halloween Traditions In Japan

Wondering how to celebrate Halloween in Japan? If this is the case, then be sure to read on as I share with you some Halloween events to watch out for.

Japanese Halloween Costumes In Japan

In Japan, Halloween costumes go beyond the traditional witches and zombies popular in Western countries. Japanese people, especially young adults and children, embrace a wide range of characters from kids' anime, adult manga, and popular culture.

During my time in Japan, I was amazed to see dozens of intricately designed Anya costumes from the hit manga "Spy x Family" - and these weren't store-bought, but custom-made cosplay (costume play) outfits!

For those not into making their own costumes, shops across Japan offer a variety of Halloween costumes and accessories. Department stores, Don Quijote (a popular discount chain), and even convenience stores stock up on Halloween items throughout October. It's the perfect time to dress up and join the fun!

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Japanese Halloween Street Parties

One of the most exciting Halloween events in Japan is the street parties, particularly in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. During this time, people simply show up in costume and join the fun. There's no organized program - it's all about seeing and being seen, taking photos, and enjoying the festive atmosphere.

If you plan to join a Halloween street party in Japan, be prepared for large crowds and a lively atmosphere. Bring a camera, wear a comfortable costume, and be ready to pose for photos - many people will want to take pictures with interesting costumes.

Japanese Halloween Theme Parks

Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea, and Universal Studios Japan offer some of the world's most immersive Halloween experiences. These parks transform with spooky decorations, special parades, and unique attractions themed around Halloween.

Halloween events at these parks typically run from early September through October, making them some of the longest-running Halloween celebrations in Japan. Visitors can enjoy special Halloween-themed foods, exclusive merchandise, and the rare opportunity to wear costumes in the parks.

One unique aspect of Japanese theme park Halloween events is the focus on villains. Tokyo Disneyland, for example, has a popular "Disney Villains" parade and show. Universal Studios Japan is known for its horror-themed mazes and zombie-filled street experiences, which can be quite intense!

Japanese Halloween Trains

One unique Halloween tradition that has emerged in Japan is the concept of Halloween trains. These are special event trains where passengers dress up in costumes and enjoy a party atmosphere while traveling.

The most famous of these is probably the Tokyu Halloween Train in Tokyo, which runs on the Tokyu train lines. Passengers must be in costume to board, and the interior of the train is decorated for Halloween. During the journey, there are often games, music, and sometimes even small performances.

Other cities have picked up on this trend, with similar events happening in Osaka and other major urban areas. These Halloween trains are usually one-off events that happen on a specific date close to Halloween, and tickets often sell out quickly.

Japanese Convenience Stores and Halloween Themes

In Japan, convenience stores (known as "konbini") play a significant role in celebrating Halloween. Chains like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart go all out with Halloween themes, offering a wide range of seasonal products and decorations throughout October.

Just don't be surprised because many of the staff also dress up as characters from computer games, reflecting the influence of gaming culture on Halloween costumes and experiences!

During the Halloween season, you can expect to find:

1. Halloween-themed snacks and candy: Unique flavors and spooky packaging of popular treats like Kit Kat, Pocky, and various Japanese sweets.
2. Ready-to-eat meals with Halloween designs: Onigiri (rice balls), sandwiches, and bento boxes featuring cute monster shapes or orange-and-black color schemes.
3. Halloween costumes and accessories: Basic costumes, masks, and makeup kits for last-minute party-goers.

Halloween Events in Japanese Schools

While not an official part of the curriculum, many Japanese schools have started incorporating Halloween events into their activities, especially in English language classes. These events serve as a fun way to introduce students to Western culture and practice English in an engaging setting.

Usually, schools hold costume contests and Halloween-themed English lessons. It's common for ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) to take the lead in organizing these events, sharing their own Halloween experiences from their home countries.

Learn More About Japan With Lingopie

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