Halloween in Tokyo: Shibuya & Ikebukuro Events – Rental Homes Nearby

Halloween has grown into a major event throughout Japan, particularly in the capital city of Tokyo. Shops begin selling Halloween decorations as early as September, and many celebrations take place around the city during October, culminating in larger events at the end of the month. Two of the main epicenters for celebrating Halloween in Tokyo are Shibuya and Ikebukuro. If you are visiting Japan during fall, then you’ll definitely want to look at rental homes that are close to the action. Find out all about Tokyo‘s top Halloween events and discover some of the best apartment rentals nearby.
Halloween in Tokyo | Shibuya
The trendy shopping and entertainment district of Shibuya hosts the biggest Halloween street party in Japan. Over the last week of October, hundreds of thousands of people, most of them dressed in elaborate costumes, gather in the streets around Shibuya Station to party through the night. Last year, more than 300,000 revelers showed up for the festivities. The diverse crowd is typically made up of people from their late teens to early 30s and consists of a mix of locals and tourists. Though Shibuya Halloween is an unofficial event, police typically close the busy streets to vehicle traffic to ensure partygoers’ safety.
Shibuya Halloween 2019
Shibuya Halloween is held on Halloween night itself as well as on the closest weekend leading up to Halloween. For 2019, festivities will take place on the weekend of Friday, October 25, to Sunday, October 27, and on Thursday, October 31. The street party typically covers the area between the world-famous Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Center-gai Shopping Street. Participation is completely free. Just show up in your best costume and join the fun. People usually begin to gather between 5 and 6 p.m.
Note that public drinking has been banned on the streets and parks around Shibuya Station for Shibuya Halloween 2019. If you’d like to partake, then drop by one of the numerous izakaya (bars) and restaurants in and around Shibuya.
Things to do at Shibuya Halloween 2019
- Visit Shibuya Crossing: You can’t spend Halloween in Shibuya without paying a visit to this iconic scramble crossing with its bright lights and giant TV monitors mounted on the overlooking buildings. Shibuya Crossing is considered to be one of the busiest intersections in the world, and the crowds are even bigger on Halloween. To successfully get around, just follow the crowds and go with the flow!
- Take pictures with revelers: Many people who come to Shibuya Halloween go all out on their costumes and makeup, and there is always a good mix of funny, scary, and super realistic getups. If you see someone wearing a costume that you like, it is perfectly acceptable to ask to take a picture of them or to take a picture together. If your own costume is noteworthy, you’ll likely get asked for photos as well!
- Visit the Hachiko statue: While you are at Shibuya Crossing, use this chance to visit the famous Hachiko Memorial Statue. One of Japan’s most famous unofficial landmarks, it is the statue of a dog who used to faithfully wait at that spot for his owner every day. The statue is located in front of the Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station and serves as a popular meeting place among locals.
- Attend a night club party: Shibuya Halloween originally began as indoor dance club events, and popular area clubs still hold special Halloween events that coincide with the outdoor party. The best clubs around Shibuya to visit on Halloween and over the weekend before Halloween are WOMB, Club Camelot Night Club, and Sound Museum Vision.
TW45. Shibuya High-end Cozy apartment
Shibuya City Spacious & Cozy House
5 great vacation rentals near Shibuya
- TW45. Shibuya High-end Cozy apartment: Only a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station, this one-bedroom apartment with four single beds can sleep up to four guests. Enjoy convenient access to Shibuya Crossing and complimentary portable Wi-Fi so that you can stay connected on the go.
- Shibuya City Spacious & Cozy House: Up to 11 people can sleep in this spacious, two-bedroom rental home located in a residential area of Shibuya. A large and fully-equipped kitchen makes meal-prep for your party easy. The property is just eight minutes from Ebisu Station.
- Condominium Shibuya In: A perfect fit for a family of four, this apartment features all the amenities you need. Take advantage of the seven-minute walk to Shibuya Station and a five-minute walk to many popular bars.
- #YAYA HOUSE#ToKyo Shinjuku Shibuya: Three guests can bunk comfortably in this first-floor studio apartment. It is conveniently located near popular shopping spots and offers easy access to landmarks like Meiji Shrine.
- TW7. Shibuya High-end Suite: Featuring two bedrooms with four single beds, this centrally located holiday rental offers full amenities and portable Wi-Fi. Walk to Shibuya Station in only 10 minutes and pick up anything you need from nearby convenience stores.
#YAYA HOUSE#ToKyo Shinjuku Shibuya
FIND & BOOK A RENTAL HOME IN SHIBUYA
Halloween in Tokyo | Ikebukuro
Cosplay involves dressing up as a character from anime, comic books, or video games, and it is a big part of Japanese culture. It also happens to meld perfectly with the tradition of dressing up in costume for Halloween. Since 2014, Ikebukuro has hosted the Halloween Cosplay Festival to celebrate both Halloween and the popular Japanese cosplay subculture. The festival has grown steadily into one of the biggest Halloween events in the country, attracting more than 20,000 cosplayers and over 100,000 attendees, both from Japan and abroad. During the festival, cosplayers roam the streets of Ikebukuro, and attendees can take part in numerous events and activities.
Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2019
This year marks the sixth annual Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival. It is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27, in the area around Higashiikebukuro Central Park and the east exit of Ikebukuro Station. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. It is free to attend the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival as an onlooker. Participants in costume are asked to pay a registration fee of ¥2,000.
Things to do at the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2019
- Cosplay parade: One of the main events of the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival is the annual cosplay parade, where the festival cosplayers will march down the streets of Ikebukuro to display their costumes. The parade will be taking place on October 26th, and entry is included in the cosplayer registration fee.
- Main stage activities: During the festival, there will be a stage set up at Naka-Ikebukuro Park hosting a range of cosplay-themed activities. Stop by to watch some stage performances, cosplay fashion shows, and even cosplay arm-wrestling tournaments!
- Cosplay photography: Wherever there is cosplay, there will also be a lot of photography. At the festival, you’ll find many photo areas where you can take pictures with handmade cosplay props. You can also attend a photography session to learn how to snap even better photos.
- DJ Anime Song Party: For the first time this year, the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival will be hosting a DJ show featuring popular anime songs. The event will be taking place at two nearby dance clubs, BANANA BONGO and mismatch Ikebukuro.
- Ikebukuro Halloween Tea Party: A chance for cosplayers and fans to mingle, get to know one another, and discuss their shared interests, the Halloween Tea Party will be taking place at restaurants surrounding the Ikebukuro Station east exit. There will be plenty of drinks, snacks, and games.
- Cosplayer of the Year competition: Perhaps the most anticipated event at the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival, the Cosplayer of the Year competition will crown a victor at the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival stage. The winner is awarded luxury prizes from the competition’s sponsors.
Big house for fam/friends in Ikebukuro KS-1
5 great vacation rentals near Ikebukuro
- Big house for fam/friends in Ikebukuro KS-1: If you’re traveling with a large group, then this spacious rental home just nine minutes from Ikebukuro Station is a good choice. Sleep up to six people and enjoy a full kitchen and dining room. The all-wood interior creates a cozy atmosphere.
- Wooden House Villa VI-2: Even larger groups of up to 10 people can stay at this comfortable two-bedroom, two-bathroom home also near Ikebukuro Station. Cook large meals in the fully equipped, modern style kitchen and relax in the adjoining living and dining area.
- D103-1. Open Sale Ikebukuro: A one-bedroom apartment, this home features two double beds that sleep up to four people. It is located in a residential neighborhood just a nine-minute walk away from Tobunerima Station, which offers easy access to Ikebukuro.
- D103.2. Tobunerima Station Ikebukuro: Also located near Tobunerima Station, this rental studio apartment is cozy but smartly designed to maximize on space. It features one double bed and one futon to sleep up to four people, and guests are allowed to bring pets as well.
- Uhome Suite Kizuna Ikebukuro: A spacious studio apartment, this accommodating vacation home comes with a queen bed, a single bed, and three futons to sleep up to six people. It is only a five-minute walk to Ikebukuro Station and a one-minute walk to convenience stores and restaurants.
D103.2. Tobunerima Station Ikebukuro
FIND & BOOK A RENTAL HOME IN IKEBUKURO
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