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Tokyo's Shibuya sees high turnout on Halloween despite drinking ban

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Halloween is a new tradition in Japan so a little scary, but I could enjoy it yesterday with my friends in Kanda !

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan is known for the cosplay scene in the first place. Halloween costumes were originally meant to scare away evil spirits, ghosts, etc. This is now simply good fun, and what's wrong with that?

On Halloween night 2016 I went to a show featuring the J-punk band Shonen Knife. Those lady rockers wore outfits looking like they stepped out of the 'Jetsons', and the crowd was full of Halloween costumed and cosplayed patrons. A good time for everyone,.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Shibuya should ban people who don't wear costumes.I can't stand these boring freeloaders who just turn up to take photos (as in the pic above).

No costume, no entry to Shibuya on Halloween... next year please enact this, Shibuya.

. . .

There were more people who came just to come.

it ,s Shibuya ! you guys wanna stop people from going to . . . S h i b u y a ? o.o

2 ( +2 / -0 )

How about the people who want to have a Halloween party organize the event and book a venue for it? Instead of inconveniencing the general public and blocking the streets... at least cherry blossom parties are confined to public parks and off the roads.

This is the problem in a nutshell. Basically "Japanese" events, like festivals or "hanami" are centrally located at a park, temple, or shrine.

Halloween is not limited to "one" place and it makes it difficult to keep control. If Shibuya wants to be "THE" place for Halloween they should block off ALL traffic into the area, and advertise the hell out of it! Let people set up stalls, like a festival, and let the good times roll!

Make it one huge block party!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Completely agree with some of the above comments. I missed a few years and tried to come back this year. There were more people who came just to come. No costume, no spirit. I miss how it used to be.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

How about the people who want to have a Halloween party organize the event and book a venue for it? Instead of inconveniencing the general public and blocking the streets... at least cherry blossom parties are confined to public parks and off the roads.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Rather than ban drinking, Shibuya should ban people who don't wear costumes.

I can't stand these boring freeloaders who just turn up to take photos (as in the pic above).

No costume, no entry to Shibuya on Halloween... next year please enact this, Shibuya.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Happy i got to experience the Shibuya Halloween scene during the 'golden years' i.e. 2015-6 when it was 90% costumers and a really chill vibe. Just people checking out other cool costumes and taking photos with beautiful people. Around that time a few Youtube videos came out showing how cool it was, and suddenly everyone wanted to experience it.

The following years have turned it into a massive street party, which is cool too, but most people arent in costume, or are only wearing a mask/donki one-piece costume. All looking to experience the awesome vibe we had a few years ago, but ultimately just an excuse to get drunk and look at cute girls.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

itsonlyrocknroll, I didn't take it as criticism, I agree that living in a big city is the pits.

As a student I spent four years in central London and enjoyed it, but it was nice quiet Malet St., behind the British Museum. No crowds, little traffic and no stinky urine on the porch.

I don't envy you Shaftesbury Avenue! - but even that is surely way better than the Shibuya crossing.

Sometimes one has to except a metropolis like Tokyo is loud and frankly strange.

Yes one does, which is why one chooses to live in the sticks where things are quiet, and green, and sane. :-)

Invalid CSRF

2 ( +2 / -0 )

We had to wear winter jackets under our costumes in the '60's for Halloween in NY.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Cleo. that is not a criticism, I find Nagoya crowed and noisy too.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

So, this "party" consisted of people standing around on the street, taking selfies, that's it?

Sounds like a blast...

Obviously it is fun to a number of people. You seem to be casting disdain upon them for that.

Why? Should they be required to have fun under whatever standards you think fun to be? And what are those standards I wonder. Did you do something significantly more fun last night?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Cleo, a few years back, whilst at College I resided in my Mother and Fathers Shaftesbury Avenue vacant flat, without the double glazing it was noisy at night. This is City life.

Worst I had to hose down the porch and front step to quell the stink of urine..

In Kochi I don't, the hose remains in the garage, silence is golden without 35 odd million peering over ones shoulder.

Sometimes one has to except a metropolis like Tokyo is loud and frankly strange.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

If people wanna have fun, why not let them. The purchase of all them costumes might give the economy a bit of a boost. Not to mention sales of make-up remover.

LOL. Absolutley. Methinks there's a few envious souls today who wish they could have their lost youth back but since they can't, it's more satisfying to dis the younger folks.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

So, this "party" consisted of people standing around on the street, taking selfies, that's it?

Sounds like a blast...

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Gotta feel sorry for the people who live and work there

People live near Shibuya Station? I would feel sorry for them all year round, not just at Halloween.

We've got family who live two stops away, and that's bad enough.....

If people wanna have fun, why not let them. The purchase of all them costumes might give the economy a bit of a boost. Not to mention sales of make-up remover.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I know it shouldn't, yet the picture of the girl in the nurses uniform, with the "peace sign" under her jaw, bugs the hell outta me!

Maybe Japan isn't for you.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Some great costumes there. I think Halloween must be the biggest Irish global festival there is. Or is it St Patrick's? Anyway, hope everyone had a great night and enjoyed the fun.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Completely forgot about that drinking ban but that was only for convenience stores anyway so I just mosied on over to my favorite local watering hole, which had plenty of beer and hard liquor. Goodbye Coins Bar. Ye were as iconic as that scramble crossing and will be terribly missed.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Why are the authorities frighted of the people having a snifter on Halloween?

Nobody is going to jump on a vacant broomstick and fall fowl of intoxication whist in possession wooden gardening implement.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Give a man a mask and he'll tell you the truth.

Japanese culture is custom designed for halloween and by the looks of the pictures they do it well. The stern breakdown on this morning talk show showed scenes of multiple cops leading a few straggling drunk people into the police van by the scruff of the neck. Very "WE are in control"ish. Last year was mayham so it seems to have been all about the fun this year. Old gasbag politicians trying to put a stop to the event. Yawn.

Its ok to have a bit of fun yall!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

overturning of a small truck, as well as suspected groping or taking photos or videos up women's skirts

I really don't think these incidents happened because of drinking.

@commanteer

Halloween will fall on Saturday next year, not Friday, Wouldn't want anyone to show up on the wrong day.

Halloween is a week long event here. The weekend before, during, and after.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Looks like a drinking ban didn't stop people from coming and having a good time.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Good to see. It wasn't long ago when Halloween was mostly unknown in Japan and not celebrated at all. Typing that makes me feel old ...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Looks like it was fun. The idea of dressing up works well with the Japanese psyche, making for a fun time with events like this.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

That guy on the train in the last picture with the salaryman costume and death stare is absolutely terrifying.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Gotta feel sorry for the people who live and work there.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I guessed I'm getting old for hating that kinds of event.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"This is crazier than Saturday, and it's a Thursday night. I can't imagine what it will be like next year, when Halloween falls on a Friday night," 

Halloween will fall on Saturday next year, not Friday, Wouldn't want anyone to show up on the wrong day.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Cultural appropriation at its finest. (Yes, I am taking the piss out of people that constantly whine about cultural appropriation.)

11 ( +14 / -3 )

I thought the girl with the "peace sign" was not flashing a peace sign.... might have been more about a chosen proclivity.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It is an interesting to see the young generation attempting to make their own cultural events instead of being molded constantly by the state.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

I know it shouldn't, yet the picture of the girl in the nurses uniform, with the "peace sign" under her jaw, bugs the hell outta me!

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

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