Metropolis Japan

October 10, 2012

Freaky Family Fun

Tricky times for the terrible tots

Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2012

While the young folk dress up in pornographic outfits and go partying until the early hours with nothing but a pumpkin to line the stomach (more details here), the even-younger folk tend to like getting stuck into face paints, party games and blackmailing sweets out of hikikomori agoraphobes. In short, Halloween kiddy fun. Here are a few of the family-friendly “fearful” fiestas on the cards this year.

Nasu Highland Park

Free entry to theme park with costume on weekends. Until Oct 31, 9:30am-5pm. Tochigi Prefecture. www.nasuhai.co.jp

Miyashiro Halloween Party

Family parade. Oct 20-21, 10am-3pm. Kasahawa Elementary School. Nearest stn: Tobu Dobutsukoen. www.town.miyashiro.saitama.jp

Sagamiono Halloween Festival

Trick-or-treat, face paints, clowns, and pumpkins. Oct 21, 10am-4pm. Nearest stn: Sagamiono station. www.sagamiono-kita.com

Sagamiono Kabocha Matsuri

Costume contest, kids’ dance contest, and food stalls. Oct 21, 11am-5pm. Sagamiono Chuo Park. www.oono-kabocha.com

Kawasaki Halloween

Various film screenings and events, and a 3,500-strong Halloween parade. Oct 26-28. La Cittadella & Kawasaki City Hall. www.lacittadella.co.jp/halloween

Hello Halloween

Massive parade, samba and general hilarity. Oct 28, 10am-5pm. Around Omotesando and Harjuku. www.harajuku-halloween.com

Noge Halloween

Pub crawl in your freakiest costume and get a free shot or other treats from 19 participating izakaya in Noge on Oct 28-29. Nearest stn: Noge. www.noge-halloween.net