Every Halloween, locals and foreign tourists flock to Tokyo’s Shibuya district for a unofficial street party. In the past, there have been reports of groping, pickpocketing, alcohol-fueled fighting and mountains of litter.
This year, authorities in the ward are pleading with residents and visitors to stay away from the area between October 27 and November 1. They will ban drinking on the streets, request liquor stores not to sell alcohol and deploy extra police officers and security guards.
Shibuya Crossing
The streets of Tokyo’s most famous district are not party venues, and the mayor of Shibuya Ward warns that if people visit this lively area solely for Halloween celebrations they will be asked to stay away. The city is seeking to prevent a repeat of the deadly crowd crush that killed 150 people in the fashionable Itaewon district of Seoul last year, which saw revellers overflow onto narrow streets. The ward has announced plans to ban drinking around Shibuya Station for the five days encompassing Halloween and will ask stores to limit alcohol sales, and police officers and security guards will be boosted in numbers.
The centerpiece of the area is the world’s busiest intersection, where ten lanes of traffic converge on a modern canyon of neon-colored buildings. It’s best known for the hypnotic “scramble” that takes place when the lights change, halting traffic in every direction to let a rush of pedestrians flood through the intersection at a dizzying pace. The controlled chaos of the crossing encapsulates the energy and efficiency of Japan’s cutting-edge capital.
Aside from the scramble, visitors can take in the sights and sounds of one of the most unique urban landscapes on Earth at a number of landmarks, including a Starbucks that offers seats overlooking the intersection, or the Hachiko statue, which has become a symbol of faithfulness and love in Japan and beyond. Also worth a look is the Hachiko Family Mural, which was designed to imagine what Hachiko’s family might look like, and makes for a great alternative meeting point to the statue, which can be overcrowded with photo-goers.
The district is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and footfall has been booming since COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted, especially for those drawn by the nightlife, shopping and Instagram appeal of its iconic landmarks. However, damage caused by overtourism has become a serious issue, and the ward warned that this year’s Halloween celebrations could cause “astounding congestion, large-scale property damage, fights between foreigners and local residents, and mountains of trash”. Those who want to visit the district should be aware of this risk and be prepared for an experience that may not always be pleasant.
Tokyo’s Busiest Intersection
Located in one of Tokyo’s most famous districts, Shibuya is famed for its fashion and youth culture, and the intersection at its heart has become a symbol of it all. Known as the “scramble crossing,” it’s famous for a massive surge of people that floods through every direction when the traffic lights change. Whether you’re watching from the sidewalk or sitting at one of the many cafés on its edges, it can be an overwhelming experience. But if you know where to look, it’s also a fascinating study in controlled chaos.
It’s a sight that has been immortalized in movies like Fast and Furious and Lost in Translation, and even though it can feel claustrophobic at times, there is a rhythm to the way the pedestrians move through the space. The throngs move with cool predictability, and in this polite country, there is rarely a collision, sharp elbow or unkind word to be heard.
The crossing is the beginning and end of two subway lines and a bullet train access point, and handles more than 2 million passengers a day. The enormous amount of foot traffic — combined with the fact that it’s a huge shopping area and nightlife hotspot — means that crowd control is an ongoing concern. The mayor of Shibuya, Ken Hasebe, has been urging people to stay away from the district during Halloween for fear of a repeat of last year’s deadly crowd crush in Seoul’s Itaewon district.
Despite the mayor’s plea, some local residents and foreign visitors plan to continue celebrating Halloween in Shibuya this year. Kerona Slater, a 34-year-old Jamaican school teacher, says that although she’s aware of the risks, she has no intention of skipping out on a tradition that’s been enjoyed by her family for generations.
Other people agree with her, arguing that better planning could turn the annual festival into an enjoyable, safe event for everyone involved. But it’s not yet clear whether the ward will take steps to address those concerns. With Japan having recently lifted COVID-19-related border restrictions, and tourists arriving in increasing numbers, there is a real danger of the situation getting out of hand before authorities can make their plans.
Shibuya’s Annual Halloween Celebrations
Over the last few years, the area around Shibuya Station has played host to teeming crowds of young people dressed in costumes for the annual Halloween festivities. But authorities in the special ward are worried that things are getting out of hand, with property damage, altercations with residents, and significant littering among other issues. The local government is now asking both domestic and foreign tourists to stay away from the district from October 27 to November 1. The request is in addition to an ordinance banning street drinking and urging liquor stores not to sell alcohol in Shibuya.
Shibuya’s mayor has warned of the consequences of overtourism, citing property damage and conflicts with local residents as problems. Despite the plea, some tourists plan to visit Shibuya and other parts of Tokyo this year. Kerona Slater, a 34-year-old school teacher from Jamaica, says she’s planning to go trick or treating in Shibuya with her son. “As a family, we want to experience what Tokyo has to offer,” she said. “Even though we’re going to be very cautious, I feel like it will be safe enough.”
A spokesman for the Royal Thai Embassy in Japan told The Mainichi on Thursday that the city’s mayor has urged both Thai citizens in Japan and visitors to Tokyo to avoid Shibuya during the holiday. The spokesman said the city is beefing up security and stepping up efforts to remind people of the ordinances in place.
But some critics say the ward’s focus on discouraging tourists may actually backfire. They argue that better planning and engagement could turn the event into a safe and profitable cultural opportunity for both residents and visitors.
In addition to the traditional witches, ghouls, devils, and vampires, many Japanese celebrate Halloween by dressing up as characters from anime, manga, or video games. It’s a tradition that’s perfectly at home in a nation of people who love to dress up and share their passion for pop culture.
Safety Concerns
The leadership of Shibuya City — which is a self-governed district within Tokyo — has formally requested that both domestic and foreign travelers refrain from observing Halloween in the area between October 27-31. It cites serious issues such as property damage from drinking in the streets, altercations between local residents, and littering of empty cans and bottles. Furthermore, the district’s main railway station and surrounding streets become so crowded during the holiday that it becomes nearly impossible to move.
Last year, a group of youths was arrested for toppling a small truck in front of the station, and there were also reports of people being pickpocketed. To prevent similar incidents, authorities erected signs that warned those visiting the area to be careful. They also asked liquor stores not to sell alcohol. In addition, a large number of security guards were stationed throughout the night to help deal with any problems that might arise.
Although the number of visitors to Shibuya Crossing and the surrounding area have dropped significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, some residents are concerned that the district will return to its heyday as a party venue once tourists return to Japan after the country fully reopened its borders in 2022. In an effort to prevent this from happening, local authorities have banned drinking in the streets near the railway station and urged people not to climb on lampposts or street signs.
Ken Hasebe, the mayor of Shibuya Ward, told reporters that he understands that Halloween is a fun celebration around the world, but he said that he fears a crowd crush like the one that killed about 160 people in Seoul’s Itaewon district last year could happen in his area.
Hasebe also noted that the streets of Shibuya are not designed to be party venues, and he urged people to celebrate in their own homes or at events held by their own communities. He added that he will continue to do his best to protect the safety of people visiting the district. This year, the city is putting extra police patrols on duty to help with traffic and crowd control.
