Photo/Illutration Halloween crowds gather at Tokyo’s Shibuya district on Oct. 31, 2022. (Takayuki Kakuno)

In a complete reversal of its pre-pandemic policy, Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward wants partygoers to stay away from the area’s busiest neighborhood on Halloween night.

For thousands of people, celebrating Halloween in Shibuya, a popular shopping and entertainment district known for its vibrant youth culture, was an annual event to look forward to.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, ward officials had welcomed Halloween revelries, even setting up temporary restrooms and spaces for people to change into costumes--though they encouraged participants to celebrate the event in an orderly and peaceful manner.

During the pandemic, however, people were asked to celebrate at home instead and attempts were made last year to discourage alcohol sales and consumption in Shibuya around Halloween.

Attendance was low, compared to the packed pre-pandemic crowds.

This Halloween, with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, visitors were expected to return to Shibuya in droves--including domestic and international tourists.

However, on Sept. 12, Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe announced that steps would be taken to discourage Halloween partying in Shibuya this year. He said the decision was made to prevent a catastrophic stampede such as the one that occurred in Seoul last year.

Signs will be put up in the area in Japanese and English that say, “No Halloween events on Shibuya streets.” 

Drinking in the streets will be banned in areas around Shibuya Station between Oct. 27 to 31 between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.

On Oct. 28 and 31, the ward will deploy around 100 security guards in the area and ask neighborhood stores to stop selling alcohol.

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