Halloween in Kansai

Sep 26, 2024

Halloween in Kansai

Halloween has grown in popularity in Japan in the 21st century ever since Tokyo Disneyland hosted a big Halloween party in 2000. Nowadays, you can find themed events both big and small up and down the country. Halloween in Japan is a tad different from what you might expect in the US and western countries. For a start, it’s targeted more towards young adults rather than kids. Trick or treating is not popular and you won’t find many shops kitted out with spooky decorations such as cobwebs, witches’ broomsticks or pumpkin heads (although carving jack-o-lanterns is becoming more common).

The big thing in Japan is dressing up in costumes such as zombie outfits, gothic attire or as popular Manga or Anime characters. Another Japanese twist is the Halloween train. Many subway trains in Tokyo and Osaka become unofficial venues for parties, with revelers in costumes filling the carriages and often partying away next to more sober passengers.

Here’s where you can go if you live in the Kansai region and want to join in the Halloween fun.

Halloween Events and Parties in Kansai

The biggest and most well-known Halloween shindig in Kansai takes place at Universal Studios in Osaka. In fact, USJ’s Hahaha! Party season lasts a couple of months (September 5 – November 4 this year). This includes many events targeted at a younger audience, including Pokemon parties. Adults wanting to party can join in the fun at the Halloween Horror Night in mid-October.

Elsewhere, street parties are the thing in the city areas. Osaka’s Dotonbori is typically filled with cosplay characters on October 31, as is the nearby Triangle Park. Also look out for Halloween Night at Tennoji Zoo.

In Kyoto, the Kawaramachi downtown district hosts a big annual party on October 31. There is also the wider Hyakki Yagyo (Night of 100 Demons) with night parades and events taking place across the city from September 14 – December 8. Meanwhile, Kobe has a two-day family-friendly Halloween Festival at Rokko Island Plaza (October 26-27) complete with performances, food & drink, costume parades and arts & crafts.

Where to Buy Costumes and Provisions

Themed costumes are perhaps the biggest feature of Japanese Halloween celebrations, with people dressing up as scary characters, Anime and Mango figures, and popular characters from TV, movies and cartoons. You can find costume ranges in stores with outlets across Kansai, including Don Quijote, Tokyu Hands, Loft and Daiso.

When it comes to food and drink, many grocery shops and sweet stores sell Halloween-themed candies, cakes and drinks around October time. Pumpkin features more as a key ingredient than a jack-o-lantern carving. Bakery stores often have pumpkin cakes and pies on display as well as creative skull or ghost treats.

Halloween-themed Cafes and Restaurants in Kansai

If you want to celebrate in a way that’s more low-key and intimate, you could look to eating out in a restaurant. Keep an eye out for Halloween specials that may pop up as we reach October. Hotel restaurants commonly serve up seasonal gourmet menus. Universal Studios has two partner hotels – Port Vita and Park Front – with menus including the likes of skull and ghost motif pizzas, pumpkin pie and jack-o-lantern sushi. The Hilton and ANA Crowne Plaza in Osaka also frequently produce menus buying into the festival spirit, while the Fauchon Hotel in Kyoto has Halloween afternoon tea offers throughout October.

Other big chains worth checking out are KFC, where Japanese outlets like to make a big deal out of Halloween and Christmas, and Mister Donut where those with a sweet tooth can enjoy festively-decorated donuts and cookies.

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