World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Tokyo steps up Halloween security in Shibuya as crowds gather in Ikebukuro
Tokyo used tight security and traffic controls in Shibuya for Halloween, which fell on a Saturday for the first time in six years.
The Hachiko statue outside Shibuya Station was screened off to prevent people gathering around it, and police urged crowds not to stop.
Street drinking was banned at night, and announcements in Japanese and English asked people not to drink on the street.
Costumed visitors were relatively sparse, though many people still gathered near the station.
In contrast, Ikebukuro welcomed crowds at its cosplay festival, where about 400 people took part in a parade.
Last year, the three-day festival attracted about 160,000 visitors.
The measures in Shibuya aimed to prevent disorder while Ikebukuro offered a place to enjoy costumes and Japanese pop culture.
Tokyo increased security in Shibuya on Halloween, with traffic restrictions and measures to prevent crowds from gathering.
The Hachiko statue outside Shibuya Station was screened off, and police urged people not to stop.
Shibuya officials banned drinking on the street at night and public announcements warned against it.
Many people gathered at the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival, where about 400 people took part in a parade.
The event’s organizers welcomed people in costume, while Shibuya’s approach focused on crowd control and security.
- Who
- Tokyo police and Shibuya officials managed security in Shibuya; many visitors attended the Ikebukuro cosplay event.
- What
- Shibuya introduced traffic restrictions and security measures for Halloween, while Ikebukuro hosted a cosplay festival and parade.
- When
- October 31, 2026, Halloween, which fell on a Saturday for the first time in six years.
- Where
- Shibuya and Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan.
- Why
- Shibuya’s measures aimed to prevent crowds from lingering and to restrict street drinking.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Halloween fell on a Saturday for the first time in six years, and Tokyo’s entertainment districts prepared for large crowds.
Shibuya introduced traffic restrictions, screened off the Hachiko statue and deployed police to direct people.
The Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival drew crowds and held a parade of about 400 people.
- Shibuya
- Traffic restrictions covered some areas around Shibuya Station.
- Hachiko statue
- Screened off to prevent people from gathering and lingering.
- Street drinking
- Banned at night in Shibuya during the Halloween period.
- Ikebukuro parade
- About 400 people took part.
- Previous festival attendance
- About 160,000 people attended over three days last year.
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What people are saying
立ち止まらないで
いろいろな人と写真を撮ったり交流したりしたい
7、8年前より路上飲酒や喫煙が減り、節度を持って楽しんでいると感じる