Halloween is a bigger and bigger deal every single year in Japan.
I mention it in my Packing for Japan with Kids post about popping a costume in the suitcase, ahead of time, for this very reason.
Is Halloween in Japan too scary for little kids?
I get asked about this often and for the most part – no.
Japanese halloween is mostly cutesty, kawaii and commercial (ever wanted a halloween themed mickey or hello kitty? Now is your chance!)
The only scary places to avoid are :
– The Roppongi Halloween Parade
-Shibuya Crossing (for the days leading up to Halloween and a day or two after- the costumes here can be scary but its also quiet boozy and so many people that it unsafe – especially for kids)
-Universal Studios Japan’s Halloween Parade is really really scary. Avoid with little kids ! There are zombies chasing guests and lots of blood etc.
Trick or Treating
There are fantastic trick or treat nights around the American School of Japan’s Chofu campus, a very (actually too scary for kids) scary parade in Roppongi and a gigantic trick or treat in the Moto-Azabu area too.
Warning: If you’re from America, you may want to pre-warn your kids that it is more walking for less treats. Most houses give one treat ( like a prepackaged mini-bag of Haribo treats per child) and, gotta love Japan, there is an orderly line in front of the houses who participate. But … its not America … and surely… more walking .. less sweets isn’t always a bad thing?
A High Tea at a Tokyo Hotel
If you want to go fancy-pancy and spooky at the same time. Hotels like the Andaz put on a gorgeous halloween high tea.
Halloween Themed Activities
Another fun Halloween option is the Sumida Aquarium that designates a section of the aquarium to all things Halloween.
Sumida Aquarium isn’t very big but it is so well done. Each section feels like an art installation. We’ve been more than 10 times. It’s located within the Skytree complex. 2300 yen for adults, 1700 yen for senior high school students, 1100 yen for elementary and junior high students, 700 yen for 3 years old and up, Kids under 3 are free.
TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN, SOLAMACHI 5th & 6th FLOOR, 1-1-2 SUMIDA, OSHIAGE
墨田区押上1-1-2東京スカイツリータウン・ソラマチ5F・6F
OPEN WEEKDAYS 10AM-8PM
OPEN WEEKENDS 9AM-9PM
SUMIDA AQUARIUM WEBSITE
As another idea, the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi has adorable Halloween cookies for sale in their bakery.
FIORENTINA PASTRY BOUTIQUE, GRAND HYATT ROPPONGI
ROPPONGI HILLS, 6-10-3 ROPPONGI
六本木6-10-3六本木ヒルズ
OPEN 9AM-10PM
FIORENTINA PASTRY BOUTIQUE WEBSITE
And for autumnal / halloween cafe loveliness, – I also recommend taking a walk for an additional few minutes to the Nicolai Bergmann Flagship Cafe as well. They change the back wall every season. It’s so beautiful.
Lunch sets here ( a sandwich , soup, salad with tea or coffee ) are 1600 yen.
Their desserts are also beautiful.
To avoid the crowds, weekday mornings are the most serene, of course.
There are plenty of beautiful magazines in English and Japanese to flick through so it’s also a lovely place to visit on your own.
Their seasonal flowers and decorations are worth visiting several times a year.
And the wall mural is especially spectacular.
I love how even the tables are seasonal.
港区南青山5-7-2
5-7-2 MINAMI-AOYAMA, MINATO-KU
OPEN EVERYDAY 10AM-8PM
NICOLAI BERGMANN WEBSITE
Halloween Costume Shopping in Japan
Here are some options in Japan (although you will find them to be more expensive than other western countries)
Amazon
Don Quixote
Head pieces can be found at the 100 yen shop too (and other crafty supplies if you want to get creative and make your own.)
Toys R Us
And I also found these pink trick or treat Jack o’Lanterns in Toys R Us.
A few years ago, we got creative with our eggs before scrambling.
Tokyo Disneyland for Halloween
My husband and I aren’t from country’s that get majorly into Halloween but many of my American and Canadian friends tell me that the lack of Halloween action can make them a bit homesick and something that can scratch the itch is a trip to Disneyland.
But let me warn you … this is one of the busiest seasons to visit Disneyland. Use my post here on Tokyo Disneyland with kids to work out just how busy it will be and chose the least busy day to work with.
I also find this season the most tricky to visit with smaller children because it is the only time that adult Disney guests are allowed to enter the park in costume. For this reason, it can be quite confusing for children as many Japanese Halloween fans put in so much effort that it can be hard to tell which characters are actually part of the entertainment and who is just another visitor.
However – the people watching is amazing (and it’s pretty amazing on a regular day – so Halloween is just next level.)
There is also a Halloween Parade and the Haunted Mansion is especially good at this time of the year.
Halloween tip: Is you’re thinking about going to Universal Studios in Osaka for Halloween – be warned… it is PROPERLY scary after dark and I don’t recommend it for little children.
