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

Trick or Treat

From 9am while snacks last. Oct 27-28. Adult ¥2,000 (adult), kids from ¥600. Nearest stn: Katase Enoshima. www.enosui.com

Motomachi Happy Halloween

Shopping street and free candles, stickers for costumed kiddies. Oct 31, from 4pm. Nearest stn: Motomachi-Chukagai. www.motomachi.or.jp

Halloween fun of the adult persuasion here