Perhaps the closest you can get to a good ol’ evening of trick or treating—Shimokitazawa gets all decked out for its annual event, Shimokitazawa Halloween.
Halloween in Tokyo may not have kept much of the original traditions of Halloween, but people get into the costume part like nothing you’ve seen before. Walk around any busy area of Tokyo on Halloween weekend, and you’ll encounter just about everything—ghouls, ghosts, anime characters, cats, tigers, nurses, surgeons and some who just decided to put on sky-high heels and hot pants to strut around and happily look for photo ops.
Although most hubs like Shinjuku and Shibuya are great for people-watching before heading to the clubs, our personal favorite is Shimokitazawa. Not only is the neighborhood already vibrant any other day of the year, it gets especially lively and flamboyant on Halloween night. This will mark the 9th edition of Shimokitazawa Halloween, and it grows larger every single year, as more people—young and old—join in the fun, which includes a parade, a costume contest, DJs, a live concert, and a countless food stalls with limited-edition goods.
If you decide to skip the nightclubs this year, you may as well stick around Shimokitazawa, as some shops will be open all night, and a special costume party will take place until the wee hours. Keep checking the official website (Japanese only) for more updates in the upcoming weeks.
Shimokitazawa Halloween
More information: www.yokukita-shimokita.com
When: October 26, from 15:00
Where: Around Shimokitazawa (see below)
