By SHINGO TSURU/ Staff Writer
November 1, 2019 at 16:25 JST
An alcohol ban around Shibuya Station this year did not stop costume-clad revelers from gathering for Halloween at the famed zebra scramble crossing in Tokyo's trendsetting Shibuya district.
But the annual street bash did not go off without a hitch as several people were arrested for assault and other offenses.
With alcohol prohibited on streets and in parks in the area by an ordinance, police officers regulated traffic and guided passers-by.
While the tone was somewhat subdued compared with previous years, costumes ran the gamut, from witches to anime characters, with several attendees dressed as the "Joker" inspired by the recent theatrical release.
A 19-year-old college freshman dressed like a dog and picking up litter said: "As far as I know, no alcohol bottles were found on the street. The atmosphere was calmer than last year."
While the gathering was largely without incident, police said a 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault after he apparently slapped the face of a staff member at a game arcade in the area.
Five men aged 18 to 51 were also arrested on suspicion of theft and other crimes.
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