Halloween in Shibuya!

Be a good Monster Kid and don't drink, unlike Frankenstein. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Halloween in Shibuya has come and gone, and, having missed the last two years, I was interested in seeing how it had changed (if at all). I'd heard about how it'd apparently been "canceled," but I wasn't quite sure how you could stop people from walking around public sidewalks in costumes.

Goodbye, Bad Halloween, it's been nice. Hope you find your paradise. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Well, I guess I was really onto something because, indeed, it looked just about the same as I last saw it. It may not have been quite as crowded or rowdy, but the differences were rather minor.

The cast of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) always get in people's way. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I didn't wear a costume this year, but I wanted an excuse to wear my Nightmare Theatre sweatshirt while out on the town, and this was the perfect occasion. I'm sure the Tokyoites and international tourists enjoyed seeing El Sapo on my chest.

Sign? What sign? Photo by Brett Homenick.

Along most of the main areas were cops screaming into bullhorns (an apt device for them, given what they were spewing) and blowing whistles, ensuring that no dangerous congregating in front of closed shops by randos in Pokemon costumes would occur. Gotta hand it to the local fuzz for being totally on the ball there.

Any guesses as to which finger I'm holding up?

I think Halloween in Shibuya was at its peak in the early years, before it became too congested and some kind of worldwide cosplaying event for influencers. But fun can still be had. I guess it didn't help that I arrived right after work (and thus was dog-tired), but that's how it goes.

"What do you mean the Baron Mondo Von Doren won't take my collect call?"

Not much else to add, so, from here on out, I'll let the photos (and their captions) do the talking. Enjoy!

He had tons of stories about working with John Landis. Photo by Jacob Dow.

"Merry Christmas!" Photo by Jacob Dow.

Hanging out with the pride of Kentucky and Matthew Lillard's best friend. Photo by Jacob Dow.

A Great Suggestion for This October!

 

Spotted in a shop in Mizonokuchi. I think it's a tremendous idea!

Halloween in Shibuya!

Shibuya "welcomes" you to Halloween. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tuesday, October 31, marked the return of Halloween to Shibuya. Unlike previous years, the presence of police and random security guards was beefed up to absurd proportions, resulting in incessant shouting and whistle-blowing from these so-called authorities. If you stood in place for more than a couple of seconds, you were hounded until you moved on. If you wanted to stop to take a picture, some rando sporting a uniform would get in your face and demand you keep walking. 

Still, despite the best efforts of Shibuya City to ruin everyone's Halloween, it seems a lot of people still managed to have a good time. I sure do hope they tone down the jackboots next year, though. It's really not a good look for Shibuya's powers that be, who otherwise try to project a "friendly" image. Anyway, with that stupidity out of the way, let's check out some highlights!

Tokyo Celebrates Halloween!

Happy "Helloween"! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Halloween took place, as it does every year, on October 31, and it was a big deal in Tokyo again for the first time since 2019. The turnout in Shibuya was quite massive, as you will see below. Enjoy!

The massive crowd near the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Halloween in Shibuya is not for the claustrophobic. Photo by Brett Homenick.

What it's like to get stuck behind two Spider-Men. Photo by Brett Homenick.

A bike-riding Jawa in Shibuya. Photo by Brett Homenick.

 

Freddy Krueger is a lot shorter in person. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Don Quijote Prepares for Halloween!

Don Quijote wishes you a Happy Halloween! Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Saturday, October 29, I went shopping for Halloween goods at the Don Quijote store in Nakameguro. I saw some interesting displays and costumes. In particular, you can see two masks below. One mask makes no bones about its Friday the 13th origins. The other bills itself as a "henshin" mask (as well as a white painted mask), but it sure looks to me like a generic Michael Myers mask, although it could also pass for a Sukekiyo Inugami one from Kon Ichikawa's The Inugami Family (1976). Anyway, enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is right around the corner, and Tokyo has its own way of wishing its residents a happy one. Just thought I'd share it with all of you. Happy Halloween!

Halloween Comes to Mizonokuchi!

Just some of the sights around Mizonokuchi Station. It seems Tokyo and its neighboring areas are more than ready for Halloween!

Halloween in Roppongi!

"Muh fellow Americans..." sez President Ted Thomas during his triumphant return to Tokyo.

Last night was my first Halloween in Roppongi. The crowd was much smaller than Shibuya, but it was still a lot of fun. Here are just a couple of the sights I saw. Enjoy!