Did You Know?

The Cultural Influence of Halloween in Japan

Halloween has grown immensely popular in Japan over the past two decades, but the celebration there looks different than in the West. While Japan does not traditionally celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating, it has embraced the holiday’s visual and theatrical appeal. The celebration began gaining traction in the late 1990s, primarily through theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan, which hosted Halloween-themed events. Over time, young people in urban centers began dressing up in elaborate costumes for street parties and parades. Areas like Shibuya in Tokyo now attract tens of thousands of costumed revelers each October. Japanese Halloween tends to emphasize cosplay, photography, and social gatherings rather than candy or scares. Retailers and convenience stores sell Halloween-themed merchandise and snacks, and public transportation even hosts pop-up events. However, growing crowds have sparked concern over safety and public order, prompting local governments to implement regulations in recent years. Despite cultural differences, Halloween in Japan reflects global interconnectedness and the holiday’s adaptability. It shows how traditions evolve and take on new meanings when adopted by different societies.