Zombie Night. Zombie Fright!

Zombie Night. Zombie Fright!

Where your mission is to survive

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Halloween may be a long way off,  but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a night of horror-themed terrors right now. Join Obaken—and Hello Kitty?—for their second annual Zombie Land event. Oh, and bring along some sacrifices … I mean, friends.

Obaken is a Japanese company known for its escape game-like haunted houses and summer zombie camps. In addition to these, they offer special events meant to keep you terrified year-round.

(Photo by Tamatha Roman)
(Photo by Tamatha Roman)

One such event is taking place on two upcoming evenings, on May 7 and May 14, and is hosted by the normally fluffy and innocent theme park Sanrio Puroland. No, this is not your chance to meet and frolic with Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters. Rather, the park is taken over by Obaken Zombie Land once it closes at 7pm. Your mission, if you choose to accept it—and pay the registration fee—is pretty straightforward: survive.

For three and a half hours, you have the twisted opportunity to spend the evening dodging and evading zombies, all decked out in their bloody glory. Run, hide, or fight to keep hold of your “life sash,” for which the zombies are relentlessly hungry.

More importantly, try to survive while also accomplishing missions. There are five missions in total. To beat each and receive your congratulatory stamp, you must … well, that’ll be announced at the event. But if it’s anything like Obaken’s normal shenanigans, it’ll be a brain-teasing test of willpower, mental strength, and prowess. Survivors who complete all missions, with life sash intact, will be awarded a special prize.

And although Sanrio’s rides will be closed for the event, ghost versions of the characters will be wandering around to comfort you.

(Photo by Tamatha Roman)
(Photo by Tamatha Roman)

The missions can be completed in teams or as individuals, though feel free to cut your losses if you’re companions are “bit.” One section of the park will be considered a “fun zone” sanctuary to heal and breathe where zombies can’t get you. This is also the only place where you are permitted to take photos.

As last year’s Obaken Zombie Land was so successful that it sold out, advanced registration is recommended. New this year is the chance for a limited number of people to get “scratch” makeup done pre-event, for a charge. Finally, as a warning, this year’s zombies are rumored to be scarier, more plentiful, and extra hungry—so perhaps work on your cardio and limber up.

Sat May 14. Sanrio Puroland, 1-31 Ochiai, Tama-shi. Admission ¥4,800-5,300. http://obaken-event.wix.com/puroland