13 Recommended Spots in Japan to Enjoy Yourself This Halloween

1. Tokyo Disneyland [Chiba]

Japan’s most famous Halloween event is held here. It’s Tokyo Disneyland’s Halloween Event. While the event is being held everything from character costumes, parades, souvenirs to restaurant menus become Halloween themed so it’s incredibly exciting. Definitely try to go to this iconic Japanese Halloween event.  

■Event period: September 11th 2015 - November 1st 2015

■Event location: Events are held inside Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea theme park.

HP: www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/

HP: www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/tc/ (中文)

HP: www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/top.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture 279-0031 (Google Map)

2. Sanrio Puroland [Tokyo]

This is for people who want to enjoy a cute Halloween. It’s Sanrio Puroland’s Halloween event! During it’s Halloween event, you can dance a Halloween dance together with the Sanrio characters and enjoy a Halloween menu for a limited time in the park’s restaurants. You can also meet Hello Kitty wearing her Halloween costume. 

HP: en.puroland.jp/

HP: cn.puroland.jp/ (Chinese)

HP: www.puroland.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1 Chome-31 Ochiai, Tama-shi, Tōkyō-to 206-0033 (Google Map)

3. ShibuFes Halloween 2015 [Tokyo]

Now to talk about Tokyo’s liveliest event, ShibuFes. Saying “We’ll go to Shibuya on October 31st to November 1st” is to such an extent that for Japan’s Halloween, it’s now a famous event where a large number of participants both domestic and from overseas congregate. At the west side of JR Shibuya station, divided by every genre and theme imaginable is singing, dancing, cosplay, merrymaking. Any kind of event will be large-scale and tons of fun. For starters, make no mistake that if you dress up in a costume and head to Shibuya you’re sure to have fun.

※ Because it’s such a famous event, a travel agency is marketing bus tours [http://entame.knt.co.jp/2015/shibu-fes/]. For persons with not much time, the bus tours are a good option.

The streets of Shibuya for a previous Halloween:

HP: shibu-fes.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: JR Shibuya west side area, Shibuya-ku Tokyo(Google Map)

4. Roppongi Halloween Event [Tokyo]　

Roppongi’s Halloween event is full of international characters, where not only Japanese people but tourists from abroad can participate and enjoy the exciting cosplay parade. On Saturday October 25th from 6pm there will be a parade where even children can participate so be sure to go check it out.

Also, just like Shibuya, clubs and other event places will be having special events so be sure to check them out.

Address: Roppongi, Minato-ku Tokyo (Google Map)

5. Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest [Tokyo]

Ikebukuro Halloween is the event where the high-level cosplayers participate. Anime fans alike gather and the event area is fired up with full-blown cosplay costumes. Last year 10,000 cosplayers assembled with many participants from overseas and there seemed to be lots of excitement. Cosplay fans cannot miss Ikebukuro.

■Event dates: October 31st & November 1st

■Event location: JR Ikebukuro Station East Exit

HP: ikebukurocosplay.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address:1 Chome Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo-to (JR Ikebukuro station East Exit) (Google Map)

6. Kichijoji Halloween Fest [Tokyo]

Kichijoji’s Halloween event is an event that both parents and children can enjoy. Kids dressed up in their cute costumes march through the town in an exciting parade. Persons accompanying children can also take part. 

■Event date and time: Tuesday October 27th - Wednesday October 28th

■Event location: Kichijoji station area

■Participation fee: (spectating is free), sweets rally only ¥1000, sweets rally + parade ¥2000.

HP: kichijoji-halloween.net/index.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 1 Chome-11-5 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo-to (Google Map)

7. HALLOWEEN PARADE [Kawasaki, Kanagawa]

For Kawasaki’s Halloween, a large number of events are prepared including a kids parade, cosplay parade, dance event, bar events and more so no matter what age you are, you can enjoy yourself. Among other things, the main parade is considerably large-scale, a section of the main road is blocked off and there is a large number of participants. Just spectating is also fun.

■Event date: 10/25 (Sun) 14:30 - 15:45 *cancelled in case of heavy rain or stormy weather

■Event location:  Area around JR Kawasaki Station East Exit (approximately 1.5km)

■Participation conditions: (no conditions for spectators) Must wear a costume, only elementary schoolers and above can participate.

■Participation fee: (the fee is only for those participating in the parade) ¥1,000 per person (tax included).

HP: lacittadella.co.jp/halloween/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Ekimae Honcho, Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture (Google Map)

8. Tokai Halloween Party [Mie]

This Halloween event is held at the “Nagashima Spaland” amusement park. The event takes place in the dead of night. Inside the park is infested with hundreds of zombies meant to spook the customers who visit the park. This event is recommended for those who like scary things.

■Event day: October 24th, 2015

■Event time: From 6pm ferocious zombies begin to appear inside the park! From 7:30 pm DJ zombie will appear in front of the big ferris wheel! From 8pm will be dance time with the zombies!

HP: tokai-halloween.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Get directions

333 Nagashimachō Urayasu, Kuwana-shi, Mie-ken 511-1135 (Google Map)

9. Universal Studios Japan [Osaka]

Even at the iconic leisure land of western Japan “Universal Studios Japan” there is a large-scale Halloween event. During the duration of the event, there will be costume parties and carnival event. You can buy a costume inside the park and enjoy yourself.

■Event period: Friday September 9th - Sunday November 8th 2015

HP: www.usj.co.jp/e/

HP: www.usj.co.jp/hk/ (Chinese)

HP: www.usj.co.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 554-0031 (Google Map)

10. Naniwa Halloween Party [Osaka]

Naniwa Halloween party is an event held at a loaned facility that is one of the country’s designated important cultural properties. There is a costume contest, dance event, a ship is chartered for a costume cruise and so on. Many preparations have been made for this unique event. This event is recommended for those who would like to try something a bit different.

■Event date: Saturday October 31st. Doors open at 5:00pm and begins at 6:00pm. Set to end at 9:30pm

■Location: Osaka Central Public Hall

■Fee: (Spectators will also have to pay a fee) Kyodo Information 0570-200-888 (everyday from 10:00 to 18:00)

Advance tickets: [10/3 (Sat) to 10/28 (Mon)] = ¥3000 yen. Same day ¥3500

HP: naniwahalloween.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1 Chome-1-27 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 530-0005 (Google Map)

Apart from those mentioned above, on the night of the 31st many people dress up and gather in the area around the American Village and Sankaku Koen so be sure to go have a look. Just going to have a look will be fun.

Sankaku Koen Google Map

11. HALLOWEEN ZOMBIES 2015 [Osaka]

Using the theme of zombies, this event is targeted towards adults. This event named “Zombie Night” has participators wearing special makeup, cosplay and causing a big excitement.  

■Event date: Monday October 19th - Sunday November 1st 2015

■Venue: Grand Front Osaka North Building 6th Floor

HP: www.osaka-info.jp/jp/events/festivals_events/halloween_zombies_2015.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 4-1 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 530-0011 (Google Map)

12. HAKATA HALLOWEEN 2015 [Hakata, Fukuoka]

This Halloween event is held at Fukuoka’s commerce facility “Canal City”. For the duration of the event there will be pumpkin carving, parades, live performances and many more events taking place. Among other things, the parade to be held on October 25th will be a contest with over 500 cosplayers taking part and making it an exciting event. Spectators will also enjoy it.

■Event period: Thursday October 1st - Saturday October 31st

■Event location: Canal City Hakata

HP: www.kokurahalloween.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1 Chome-2 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 812-0018 (Google Map)

13. Huis Ten Bosch Scream Halloween [Nagasaki]

Nagasaki’s Huis Ten Bosch is delivering a scary Halloween event. The event begins at the “Thriller City” horror town where zombies in full blown special makeup will be wandering throughout the town...Recommended for people who like scary things. Also, for those who are not so good with scary things, we recommend watching the parade. An extremely fun cosplay parade is held and the theme changes every week.

■Event period: Saturday October 10th - Saturday October 31st

■Cosplay Parade Dates: 10/10 (Sat) uniform

10/11 (Sun) Wally (challenge the world record)

10/12 (Mon/holiday) anime costume

10/17 (Sat) Pet costumes welcome

10/18 (Sun) anime costume

10/24 (Sat) Anything OK!

10/25 (Sun) horror-based costume

10/31 (Sat) Anything OK! (Costume contest)

HP: english.huistenbosch.co.jp/

HP: chinese01.huistenbosch.co.jp/ (Chinese)

HP: www.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/halloween/index.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-1 Huis Ten Bosch Machi, Sasebo-shi, Nagasaki-ken 859-3243 (Google Map)

~Bonus~ Stores where you can buy costumes (1) Loft

We’ve introduced lots of Halloween events but there are definitely persons who don’t want to just spectate and feel like “I want to take part”. For those persons, we will not introduce some stores that deal with costumes. The store in the photo is one that deals with many miscellaneous goods “Loft”. As depicted in the photo they’ve made many preparations for the Halloween season with costumes lining the storefront. There’s a branch of Loft in various places nationwide so you can head to your nearest branch to purchase supplies and enjoy your Halloween in Japan.   

HP: www.loft.co.jp/shop_list_en/

HP: www.loft.co.jp/shop_list/ (Japanese Only)

~Bonus~ Stores where you can buy costumes (2) Don Quijote (Donki)

To enjoy Halloween costumes 100%, special makeup is essential. Don Quijote has put all the necessary items in order at a cheap price. They also stock a variety of costumes so if you go to this store, you can find everything you need for your Halloween cosplay. There’s so many choices you’ll have a hard time choosing. 

HP: www.donki.com/en/index.php?&pre=le

HP: www.donki-global.com/zhtw/?&pre=le (Chinese)

HP: www.donki.com/ (Japanese Only)

You may also like these articles:

10 popular Halloween costumes in Japan

10 Reasons to Visit Japan in the Autumn

20 Recommended spots to take in the autumn foliage all around Japan

16 Amazing Things to Do in Japan in the Winter

[Japan Travel]

47 Tourist Attractions in Japan’s 47 Prefectures

50 Magnificent Views in Japan that You Shouldn’t Miss

30 reasons to go to Japan before you die

30 Most Popular Japan Sightseeing Spots for Foreigners (2014)

20 Japanese places chosen by travelers that no one should miss (2013)

A Guide to 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan

15 Beautiful Japanese Villages You Must Visit

30 shrines and temples in Japan to get lucky charms for love

16 Must-See Flower Gardens Around Japan

12 Recommended Japanese Power Spots

30 things to experience when you come to Japan

[Tokyo Travel]

50 Things to Do in Tokyo

50 Things to Do in Shibuya

50 Things to Do in Harajuku

50 Things to Do in Shinjuku

50 Things to Do in Ueno and Asakusa Area

50 Things to Do in Ginza

14 things to do in Yanesen (Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi)

10 Japanese Cultural Experiments You Can Try In Tokyo

15 Great Ways to Enjoy Tokyo on a Budget

[Kanagawa Travel]

Top 50 Things to Do in Shonan and Kamakura Area

[Osaka Travel]

50 Things to Do in Osaka

15 Ways to Enjoy Osaka On a Budget

11 Places to Experience Japanese Culture in Osaka

An Eating-and-Walking Guide to Osaka: 5 Things You Shouldn’t Miss

60 Sightseeing Spots for Short Trips from Osaka

[Kyoto Travel]

50 Things You Must Do in Kyoto

15 Great Ways to Enjoy Kyoto on a Budget

10 Places in Kyoto to Play Dress Up in Traditional Kimono

[Hokkaido Travel]

50 Things to Do in Hokkaido

11 Ways to Enjoy the Sapporo Area on a Budget

20 Magnificent Sights in Hokkaido You Should Check

[Fukuoka Travel]

50 Things to Do in Fukuoka

[Okinawa Travel]

50 Things to Do in Okinawa

[Things to do in Kansai]

50 Things to Do in Wakayama

50 things to do in Nara, Japan’s Oldest Capital