When I first came to the U.S., I was about 9 that time, I remember being so surprised to see all the houses decorated for Halloween. I could not believe that ordinary households decorate so professionally and so scary! We took a drive around the neighborhood, enjoying all the Halloween decorations on display. I felt like if I was in Disneyland. I was also astonished to see the children dressed in costumes as they went to school. That could never be accepted in Japanese schools! Even though Japan is a country rich in traditions and festivals, Halloween is not one of its ancient customs. For many years, this Western celebration was virtually unknown in Japan.
In recent years, however, Halloween has become a widely celebrated event, especially in large cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, as well as in shopping centers. I raised my children in Tokyo, and there was a nearby neighborhood decorated for Halloween and giving away snacks and candy. Children from all around the town would come, dressed up in costumes, wandering around that night. The funny thing is that, since it was an unusual event and would be so crowded with kids and their parents, the police came to control the traffic. The growth of Halloween in Japan has been both exciting and challenging. In places like Shibuya, Halloween celebrations have led to some problems, with large crowds of adults gathering to party, causing noise and safety concerns.
Getting ready for Halloween
Anyway, I wanted my children to enjoy American Halloween, so I searched for decorations that I even could bring back to Japan and still enjoy later on. I did not want too scary things, and too big ones neither because of the small housing in Japan, I picked up those that would suit my wishes. These do not take up much space but stand out very nicely on my house.
I also love seeing the Halloween kitchenware and thinking of adding these to my kitchen. It’s so fun just browsing the Halloween items on the internet!
Well, I think I will be ok with these this year as Halloween is an every-year event and I need to save the fun for next year. I have to admit, I think I’m more excited for Halloween than my children are!
By the way, I tried to find out when Halloween started gaining popularity in Japan, and I knew that Tokyo Disneyland began holding Halloween events in 1997. It’s just recently! One of the main reasons for this was the influence of Western culture through movies, TV shows, and increased international travel. As more Japanese people became exposed to American traditions, they began to adopt Halloween as a fun event rather than a holiday with deep meaning. For many Japanese people, Halloween is not just for kids like it is in some countries. In Japan, it’s more of a social event for young adults. Instead of trick-or-treating, the focus is on dressing up in costumes and going out to parties with friends. Tokyo’s Shibuya district became a hotspot for these Halloween gatherings. Every year, it’s a big issue for Shibuya.
I found an interesting article about this topic if you are interested more about Japanese Halloween.
