As Halloween Day approaches on October 31, pumpkins, ghosts, and orange are in abundance in many countries around the world.
Especially on Halloween in Japan, if you take a train at night, the cars are haunted houses.
Halloween events are enjoyed all over the world. In Japan, Halloween in Shibuya is especially famous.
However, what does Halloween mean to you?
Do you know what Halloween means and what kind of festival it is?
In this issue, we will tell you the origin of Halloween and introduce the characteristics of Halloween in Japan and how to enjoy it.
As the Halloween season is approaching, read this article and enjoy Halloween in Japan to the fullest!
Where did Halloween originate?
What exactly is Halloween?
Halloween is actually like Obon in Japan.
It is said to have originated from the festivals of the Indo-European Celtic tribes in BC.
Starting on the eve of November 1, they held a grand festival to gather the autumn harvest. It was believed that on this day the door to the afterlife would open and the ancestors would return.
On Halloween, not only ancestors but also demons, witches, and wandering souls came from the afterlife. People protected themselves by dressing up in the same costumes as them to make people think they were their friends.
From there, people began to enjoy dressing up in costumes on Halloween, as we do today.
What is Halloween like in Japan?
Now let’s talk about Halloween in Japan.
Why did Halloween become popular in Japan?
Why did Halloween become popular in Japan in the first place?
Japan has long adopted foreign cultures for commercial purposes.
Valentine’s Day and Christmas are examples.
Halloween was also introduced to Japan in the same way to see if it could be used commercially in Japan.
Halloween was introduced as a fun event because the Japanese wanted to sell more western-style confections, which were not well established at the time.
Also, in recent years, as the spread of Halloween has increased on social networking sites, many Japanese people still enjoy Halloween because of the fun of dressing up in interesting and attractive costumes and posting them on social networking sites.
Halloween has nothing to do with Japanese people!
When you hear about the meaning and origin of Halloween and its popularity in Japan, you may think, “Halloween has nothing to do with Japanese people!” you think.
Yes, I do! That’s right. It has nothing to do with us.
However, it is a good thing that a foreign culture has taken root in Japan and has become an event that both children and adults can enjoy, which has led to the development of commerce and entertainment.
It has little to do with the true meaning of Halloween, but as an enjoyable event, Halloween in Japan has become popular and exciting around the world.
How to enjoy Halloween in Japan
Here are some ways to enjoy Halloween in Japan.
Let’s get together in costume 【dress up as an anime or manga character!】
After all, the best part of Halloween is the costumes!
Dress up in costume and go out to places where people gather!
On Halloween, people all over the world dress up and have fun!
If you are going to dress up in Japan, try to wear a costume related to anime or manga!
If you go out on the town dressed up in a fun and highly finished costume, you are sure to become a popular person!
Many people in Japan also dress up as a group of friends or in a pair look!
One fun way to have fun in Japan is to dress up in a group costume with those who come with you.
Halloween in Shibuya
Shibuya is the most exciting place for Halloween in Japan!
If you go to Shibuya, you can enjoy Japanese Halloween with many people.
Let’s enjoy Japanese Halloween by interacting with people in various costumes!
【Attention ministry!】
The train on the way back will be a haunted house!
Go to a theme park
Tokyo Disneyland and USJ are the main theme parks, and there are many other medium- and small-scale theme parks in Japan.
Most theme parks hold Halloween events during the Halloween season.
If you want to feel and enjoy Halloween quickly, visiting a theme park is recommended!
Halloween party at home
It is also very fun to throw a Halloween party at home.
Dress up in costumes and decorate your home to create a Halloween atmosphere.
You can also prepare pumpkins and lanterns or play Halloween music or movies.
Invite your loved ones and friends to enjoy Halloween at home!
Conclusion
In this issue, we introduced Halloween in Japan and how to enjoy it.
- Gathering in costume: You should definitely go to Shibuya!
- Go to theme parks: Disneyland, USJ, etc.
- Halloween party at home: Creating the atmosphere is the key!
And when dressing up, by all means, try to dress up as anime or manga, which are full of Japanese culture.
Although the origin of Halloween has little to do with Japan, Halloween in Japan is still a fun and exciting event.
We hope you will enjoy the Japanese Halloween as much as you can.
