Interest

Halloween Festivals Hit It Big in Shibuya and Kawasaki

Halloween is surging in popularity in Japan this year. Traditionally a barely acknowledged holiday, twenty-somethings and mothers are leading the push to make Halloween more popular. This year alone, retailer Rakuten has seen Halloween-related merchandise sales nearly double. The merch is estimated to bring in about 100 billion yen (~$1.025 million), more than White Day and closely approaching Valentine's Day in profitability, according to Rakuten.

The holiday fare usually consisted of small gifts and candy, but dressing up is on the rise as well as sales of 5,000 yen (~$50) costumes, especially for families with kids.

Young adults took to the streets of Shibuya for a party held by Asahi Breweries where Jack Daniel's whiskey was served on Saturday. Party-goers collaborated on group costumes from sentai rangers to Disney princesses. Website Naver Matome compiled Twitter pictures submitted by partygoers below.

Shibuya Party

Kawasaki Halloween Parade

Outside of Shibuya, an annual Halloween parade in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture has also grown popular with some 100,000 attendees dressed up to march on the city. Families came out in interesting costumes, including a cross between Miyazaki characters and the director himself.