Halloween in Kumamoto

Sep 26, 2024

Halloween in Kumamoto

Halloween isn’t as big a deal in Japan as it is in the U.S., meaning you won’t see places filled with jack-o-lanterns, witches’ broomsticks, or cobweb decorations. However, Halloween has become a thing over the past couple of decades.

Japan began to embrace Halloween when Tokyo Disneyland hosted its first Halloween party in 2000. Ever since, Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Osaka have usually held fright-fest events. Elsewhere, there are often smaller-scale events and street parties; plus, some people celebrate the occasion privately in their own homes.

Locals have given the festival a uniquely Japanese twist. There is no trick-or-treating in Japan — the big thing here is dressing up in spooky outfits or as Manga or Anime characters. Many neighborhoods hold street parties on October 31. You’ll also find subway trains decked out in Halloween decorations, encouraging people to hold festive train parties. Although they’re not as ubiquitous as in the U.S., you may also spot Halloween decorations in streets and shops throughout October.

Here are a few suggestions for how to spend Halloween in Kumamoto.

Halloween Events in Kumamoto

Kumamoto doesn’t usually host the large-scale parties you find in places like Tokyo and Osaka. However, the city does acknowledge the Halloween period with events that unite people. Kumamon Square is a popular location, often hosting a series of parties and events during October where the Kumamon character dresses up in a festive costume and where shops run special deals. Also, look out for Halloween concert specials at venues such as Navaro on or around October 31.

If you’re looking for something more traditionally spine-chilling, head to Greenland. This amusement park in Arao City includes a horror tower haunted attraction that has been terrifying visitors for years.

Celebrating Halloween at Home

Many people in Japan celebrate Halloween at home with decorations, festive sweet treats, and fancy dress parties. Revelers dress up as zombies, vampires, witches, popular TV and movie characters, and comic book characters.

If you’re looking for costumes, decorations, or merchandise for your own personal Halloween party in Kumamoto, good places to check out include Don Quijote, Loft, Daiso, and Rakuei. Sweet shops, bakeries, grocery stores, and supermarkets usually display Halloween-themed candies, cakes, and pumpkin-flavored treats throughout October, ranging from mini pumpkin pies to pumpkin beer. Pocky often adds a Halloween design to its boxes for season (one year, the boxes even had Kumamon), as does Lipton. Check your local bakery to see if it has any festive baked goods. In previous years, bakers have showed off their creative skills by making things like skull cookies, jack-o-lantern pastries, and ghost croissants.

Going for a Halloween-themed Meal

Another option is to head to a local restaurant, as many buy into the festival spirit with themed offerings on the menu or discount items on and around Halloween.

Kumamoto Ramen often creates some fancy Halloween-themed desserts. If you want some fast food fun with the family, check out McDonald’s for treats such as pumpkin fries covered in chocolate sauce or KFC, where offerings in the past have included a Halloween bucket featuring a sweet potato pie. Plus, Mister Donut often runs campaigns with seasonal designs like spider webs, monsters, and jack-o-lanterns.

Mr.ちゅらさん, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons