In 2018, we spent the spookiest season in Osaka. As the quirky comedienne that I am, I stepped out of our hotel in a costume and a white wig. To my surprise, every Japanese and tourist in Osaka thought the same way I did. 

So my kids and husband were the only odd ones out in Osaka whose inhabitants seem to thrive on cosplay and anime characters. This year, we decided to relive the Osaka experience, but this time on a bigger scale because we were going to the heart of Tokyo where everybody converges - Shibuya Crossing! 

An estimated 40,000 pedestrians were entering the party and parading their Halloween costumes, from zombies to vampires to witches to inventive anime characters, superheroes, and pop culture icons. 

I was so excited because I was surfing the internet. During the past years in Shibuya, Tokyo, there were “Cosplay Flash Mobs” inspired by famous anime and video game characters, which thrilled the crowd with spontaneous choreographed performances by professional cosplayers and dancers based in Tokyo.  

Local businesses also organized costume contests and photo booths. At the same time, famous clubs in Shibuya hosted Halloween parties after midnight, giving people more reasons to stick around after the main festivities wound down at the crossing. So imagine my excitement as I pictured what the Shibuya crossing would look like during Halloween…and this is my review.

Disappointing. That was the word I could use to describe Shibuya 2024 Halloween. Shibuya police enforced strict measures to prevent overcrowding, maintain order, and ensure public safety. Over recent years, Shibuya became a hub for Halloween celebrations, drawing thousands of visitors in elaborate costumes. However, large gatherings in the past years have led to public drinking, noise complaints, littering, and disruptions to local businesses. Shibuya City wanted to ensure the safety of their pedestrians as some countries like Korea have reported a major stampede during their Halloween street celebration in 2022, resulting in 159 deaths and many injuries in Itaewon, South Korea. So this year, the Shibuya City government and police adopted a “stay away” message to reduce crowds. 

They have megaphones, and immediately when you stop to take a picture with other people, they will blast the megaphone on your ear, talk to you in Japanese, and give hand signals for you to move and continue your path. No stopping, no picture-taking, no drinking in public, no talking in the streets — a boring Shibuya Halloween!  

In the heart of Shibuya Crossing, instead of a Happy Halloween streamer, there was a giant streamer that cried out: No drinking on the streets! In fairness to the city, this “Stay Away” policy made it easy to move around, but the party atmosphere was nowhere to be found on the streets. You will need to enter a bar or club. 

These pictures you see with me and cosplayers were done in “guerilla mode,” ending with my ear hurting as police shouted at me with a megaphone in a language I could not understand. When I got home, I realized they wished well for our safety. So okay…fine…but I came there to party in the streets … so ….never again Shibuya.