Have you heard? This year Shibuya wants us to have a ‘good Halloween’

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Have you heard? This year Shibuya wants us to have a ‘good Halloween’

Local authorities want Japanese Halloween to refocus on the children, so expect plenty of community-organized events that are family friendly. | GETTY IMAGES

By Yuko Tamura
Contributing writer

Oct 23, 2025

Earlier this month, the mayor of Shibuya announced that the ward’s theme for this year’s ハロウィーン (丑补谤辞飞ī苍, Halloween) season would be: (Kinshi da yo! Meiwaku 丑补谤辞飞ī苍, Annoying Halloween behaviors are prohibited! []). The campaign will be in effect until Oct. 31.

In contrast to the past couple of years, when the mayor publicly called off Halloween altogether, Shibuya has relaxed its approach to the day. The number of 迷惑行為 (meiwaku kōi, disruptive behaviors) around Shibuya Station — such as 路上飲酒 (rojō inshu, street drinking) and ゴミのポイ捨て (gomi no poisute, littering) — has been decreasing, which has perhaps led to the new stance and effort to achieve a 良いハロウィーン (yoi 丑补谤辞飞ī苍, good Halloween).

What is a 良いハロウィーン? According to the mayor, it’s an 親子パレード (oyako parēdo, family parade) and 地域に根ざしたイベント (chiiki ni nezashita ibento, community-rooted events). In short, don’t expect any debauchery.