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Halloween is one of the biggest party events in Japan and some have estimated that Japanese people spend more on the festivities than those in America. And why not? This is the costume play capital of the world. (In the best love hotels, every day is Halloween).
Halloween in Japan used to be a non-holiday celebrated by only a few rowdy foreigners. The biggest party was on the Yamanote line where groups of masked barbarians would take over a a train car and party on. The stuff of legends.
Maybe the best article tracing the growth of Halloween in this island country is here, from Japan Today
Since when was Halloween so popular in Japan?
1. Theme parks introduce “Happy Halloween”
Up until about the year 2000, Halloween was something people would only hear of by learning English or watching TV programs from other countries. But when Tokyo Disneyland got in on the act (let’s face it – there’s money to be had from a simple spooky makeover), people began to sit up and take notice. On Oct 31, 1997, visitors to Disneyland wore costumes to be part of “Disney Happy Halloween”. Then in 2000, 400 visitors and Disney characters in costume held a ”Happy Halloween Twilight Parade” in the park.
Already enamored of Disneyland, the people of Japan were enchanted by this new idea of Halloween. The event was a hit in 1997, and the scale of the party increased along with public awareness, until Halloween became established as an annual autumn event. Currently the lavish celebration kicks off sometime in early September.
Universal Studios Japan opened its doors in 2001, and got in on the act from 2002 with “Hollywood Halloween”. The two major theme parks of Japan gradually brought Halloween more and more into the public consciousness……..(more here)
Tomorrow and Friday will be Halloween Paradise in Tokyo but where to go, what to do? For you, our gentle reader, we’ve capriciously picked several places with total bias in our choices, including parties run by old friends, former employers, and people we sort of know–not even a veneer of objectivity. But we’re going with what we know.
this one is over but it was a blast!
For gaijin, journalists, old-timers, new-comers, and everybody (Thursday night) FINISHED
‘The highly anticipated Metropolis Halloween Glitterball‘ – supported by Fashion One and Fox Backstage Pass – is here once again!
Come to ELE Tokyo and enjoy sensational performances by Dafty, Femm, and Tokyo Dream Girls. Dress up in your most terrific and terrifying costume for a chance to win fantastic prizes from sponsors like Lindt, Laurent-Perrier, Bacardi, Adidas, ANA InterContinental, and many more! ‘
Bling. Prizes.
It looks great. The website for buying tickets in advance is buggy. Argghhh. But try your luck.
BIAS NOTICE: Many of the staff members, past and present at Japan Subculture Research Center have written for Metropolis at one point in our career, including acting editor-in-chief, Jake Adelstein (under the transparent name ‘Joshua Noblestone’). The Metropolis may not be what it once was but it remains one of the only printed guides to events in Tokyo in English and sometimes has some great articles. So we are definitely going to this party.
And as an added bonus, it’s being emceed by one of the hottest women in Tokyo. (Subjectively speaking)
We even have a testimonial and click bait picture for this blog.
“I’m Gigi, your MC, and I look forward to welcoming you to a night you will never forget. See you tomorrow!”
We’re totally biased.
it was a blast. next year!
For the fashionistas, models and hipsters: Feria
Four floors of halloween action: dance, lounge, linger, drink.
FERIA 六本木 ハロウィン 2014 【セレブラウンジ 10月31日 ハロウィンパーティー！】超豪華！FERIA TOKYOでラグジュアリーなハロウィンをお楽しみ下さい！
Costume Play (コスプレ) That Pays!
In the abandoned remains of legendary A Life, Brand Tokyo reopened in July of this year, and is hosting several nights of Halloween Brand Carnivals, and giving away 1,000,000 yen in prizes for costumes. It’s a mostly Japanese crowed and tickets are being sold in advance—and close to being sold out. If you’re going to play, you might as well get paid. And according to the proprietors–it’s open until the last train. All night long.
For the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual party goer
Shinjuku 2-chome is the center of Tokyo’s LGBT world. This Friday not only has a zombie walk but for those with a costume, it’s only 1,000 yen at the Aisotope Lounge if you go in costume. If it’s a FABULOUS costume–free.
2,500 for the unprepared. Tokyo Time Out sums it all up rather nicely:
Who could resist? This is where the JSRC staff will probably spend their Friday night dressed up as ninja. You won’t be able to find any of us—that’s how good our costumes are.
For The Art Lover: Halloween Art Hop and Stamp Rally in Yokohoma
Put on your costumes and take a walk through Ishikawacho and Chinatown to check out the Yokohama i:23 exhibits. Collect all 4 stamps from:
仮装して石川町や中華街のi:23参加ギャラリーを巡っ
and receive a special spooky Halloween print!
全部集めてハロウィン特製アートを手に入れよう！
For everything else, check out the following links
Tokyo Time Out: Halloween in Tokyo 2014
Metropolis Japan: Halloween Special
This is a cool place to go for Halloween http://favy-jp.com/topics/278 It’s called the lock up 😉