Tokyo’s Top Halloween Events For 2019

Make the most out of your Tokyo Halloween experience!

Up until only a few years ago, Halloween in Japan was just another excuse to eat a pumpkin pie. But things change quickly here and now, second to Christmas and Valentine’s, Halloween is a hugely popular event and a legitimate reason to take your oh-so-spooky look to the streets without the fear of getting arrested. No surprises here, after all, we live in the capital of cosplay and there’s no better event to get a little creative with your outfit and share the spine-tingling fun with fellow party people.

So, this Halloween, whether you’re planning to party like there’s no tomorrow or just looking for some awesome photo ops, celebrate the season in style with our guide to the best Halloween events in the city!

Roppongi Hills Halloween Parade

Anyone wearing a costume can join this famous annual parade held for the 17th consecutive year. As usual, the theme is “Cinema” in-line with the Tokyo International Film Festival, which will be held from Oct. 28 until Nov. 5 in Roppongi. Dress up as your favorite movie hero and join the fun! Held from early in the morning, this is one of the most family-friendly events in the capital.

When: Sat, Oct. 26, 2019. 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Where: Roppongi Hills Arena area. Register upon arrival between 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Perfect for: Families and kids

Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival

No area in Tokyo can perform better than Ikebukuro when it comes to cosplaying, so it makes perfect sense that one of the largest Halloween festivals is held here. This event features everything from a cosplay flea market, live stages, a parade, a red carpet to walk along with fellow cosplayers, cafes, photo booths, and even a free costume-mending stall in case (parts of) your shoulders fall off.

When: Sat, Oct. 26 to Sun, Oct. 27, 2019. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: JR Ikebukuro station, east exit area, Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park
Perfect for: Anime and cosplay fans, photographers  

Kichijoi Halloween Festival

Calling all Tokyo mamas: don’t leave the stroller behind for this baby-friendly Halloween Festival! Take part in one of the most unique parades of the capital where mommies can push their mini witches and warlocks down the streets of Kichijoji. There will also be a “Candy Rally” where kids aged 12 and under can fill their candy buckets to the brim with delicious Halloween sweets. Be sure to browse through which stores (in Japanese only) you want to snag some candy from during the Candy Rally and which parade you’d like to participate in ahead of time!

When: Tue, Oct. 29 to Wed, Oct. 30, 2019 (Parade is held on Oct. 30 only), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Check parade times and starting points here.
Where: Around Kichijoji Station
Cost: Candy Rally (5 stores) + Parade ¥1,300, Candy Rally (10 stores) + Parade ¥2,200, Candy Rally only plan is sold out
Perfect for: Moms and their little monsters, families with kids aged 12 and under

Shibuya Halloween

Though there is no official public Halloween parade out in Shibuya per se, we all know that this is where all the Minions, zombies and nurses will gather on the last day of the month. The real fun is here and it gets really wild with plenty of what-happens-in-Shibuya-stays-in-Shibuya kind of entertainment. For indoor fun, head to some of the area’s best clubs, namely Womb, Camelot and Vision, all of which will be throwing special Halloween parties in the last days of the month. Just keep in mind that this year public drinking has been completely banned in the Shibuya Ward during the Halloween period from October 25th to November 1, 2019.

When: Thu, Oct. 31, 2019. In the evening.
Where: Around Shibuya station
Perfect for: Party animals  

Halloween in Tama Center

This the ultimate Halloween event for kids and families in Tokyo this year! While trick-or-treating is not as common in Japan as in other countries, 4,000 kids aged 12 and under can expect to have their candy buckets filled to the brim with sweets and treats here. Take part in the Halloween parade, enjoy a ride on Tama Monorail “Party Train”, or come see the impressive display of bright orange jack-o’-lanterns lighting up the street. Be sure to come dressed to impress (or scare) so you can compete in the costume contest for a chance to win the grand “Tama Jack” prize!

When: Sat, Oct. 26 to Sun, Oct. 27, 2019. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: South area of Tama Center Station (includes Tama Centra Park area)
Perfect for: Families and kids

Kawasaki Halloween Parade

One of the biggest Halloween parades near Tokyo, this one has 2,500 participants wearing the spookiest and most creative costumes walking for approximately 1.5 km along the streets near Kawasaki station to a backtrack of live DJ music. This year once again, the parade also collaborates with LGBT+ groups to include a smaller “Halloween pride parade,” in which up to 200 people will take part. There will also be prizes for the best costumes (and more), the biggest one being 0.5 million yen! No wonder why the costume quality at this event is that high!

When: Sun, Oct. 27, 2019. 2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
Where: JR Kawasaki station, east exit
Cost: ¥1,000. Register between 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Perfect for: Families with children above elementary school age and really anyone who wants to dress up for the event

Omotesando Halloween

Tokyo’s No. 1 spot for parades and celebrations—the streets of Omotesando—hosts a massive 1-km-long procession for Halloween, inviting everyone from kids to adults (and celebrities) to join in. It’s one of the most kid-friendly Halloween events in Tokyo, and you’ll find a number of shops in Omotesando Hills and other areas offering trick-or-treat surprises and gifts for the little ones. For a total heartwarming experience, check out the “Pumpkin Parade,” featuring only kids under the age of 12! It’s the cutest thing ever.

When: Sun, Oct. 27, 2019. 2:30 p.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Harajuku, Omotesando area, Omotesando Hills
Perfect for: Families with little children; anyone who wants to party safely and just enjoy Halloween

Odaiba Halloween Ghost Ship 

Tired of partying outside? Here you can enjoy the Halloween atmosphere while taking a cruise around Tokyo Bay—but watch it, it’s haunted by ghosts. This unique event gathers up to 250 people for a party on board of a cruising ship starting from Tokyo Big Sight Terminal and cruising around Odaiba, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower and other famous sightseeing spots. There will be live DJ music and a best-costume prize. No better way to see the best of Tokyo while partying with ghosts and more. Book in advance here.

When: Sat, Oct. 26, 2019. 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. & Thu, Oct. 31, 2019. 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Gather at Tokyo Big Sight Terminal 
Cost: ¥4,500 (Women), ¥6,000 (Men). ¥300 discount if wearing a Halloween costume.
Perfect for: Groups of friends, couples, girls’ night out

Futakotamagawa Halloween 

Known as one of the best weekend destinations for families, Futakotamagawa is always well prepared when it comes to entertaining the kids. This season, the area will host a two-day Halloween event featuring various events for families and kids, including a parade, Halloween-themed stage shows and dancing, characters performance, workshops, a photo panel and so much more. Have your kids dress up as their favorite characters and spend the weekend with them at this family-friendly favorite spot.

When: Sat, Oct. 26, 2019. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.-Sun, Oct. 27, 2019. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The parade starts from 3 p.m. on Sat. and 4 p.m. on Sun.
Where: Around Futakotamagawa station and Rise shopping mall
Perfect for: Families with kids

Tokyo Disneyland Halloween 

Though Disneyland is a special place to visit for any seasonal holidays, this year the park is turning things around again with its theme “ghost version of Tokyo Disneyland.” Come and see for yourself a side of the dreamland where you can experience chills and thrills—the more eerie, spooky version. In addition to that, there will be the usual Halloween parade, special merchandise, decorations, and plenty of Halloween-inspired treats and meals to spend a significant amount of cash on. The kids will love it for sure though!

When: Now through Thu, Oct. 31, 2019
Where: Tokyo Disneyland
Cost: One-day Pass: ¥7,400 (Adults), ¥4,800 (Kids)
Perfect for: Families and kids, couples

Halloween Ghost Walk Tours 

Last but not least, if costumes and tricks are not your thing, join this spooky tour organized by the expert ghostbusters behind Haunted Tokyo Tours for a real goose-bump experience. Falling on Halloween, is the Halloween Ghost Walk which takes you to real sites of crimes of passion, notorious from ancient times and recent day. Book in advance and don’t be late on the day, because the ghosts won’t tolerate it!

When: Thu, Oct. 31, 2019. Starts from 7 p.m.
Where: Inquire here for details on meeting place.
Cost: ¥4,500
Perfect for: Fear-resistant people and such with strong hearts

For a list of 2019’s best Halloween-inspired drinks, see this article.

Doing anything special on Halloween? Share your best shots through Facebook or Instagram with a hashtag #SavvyHalloween2019 

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