Leave it to Japan - once again they've repackaged and enhanced another culture's invention. Halloween in Tokyo is unlike anything I've experienced. Men wearing just diapers. A group of 13 girls, all in bloody bridal dresses. People chanting, carrying chariots... You are bombarded by these sights in downtown Shibuya, and it's hysterical!
Perhaps the most surprising aspect for me is the way Japan's typically rigid social norms simply evaporate on Halloween. Specifically, in terms of social interactions. People initiate conversations, examine costumes, ask for selfies. This is unheard of in Tokyo! Here was one of those moments, when a couple strangers asked for a pic and I happily obliged.
And the smiles. It's so good to see everybody so happy. Just like NYC, Tokyo is a fast moving, expensive place to live. It's stressful, and the battle to survive just never seems to end. But on Halloween people couldn't be more delighted to be smashed together, laughing and taking pics with anyone and everyone. And I do mean everyone. I have never seen Shibuya so filled with people.
What's fascinating is that this phenomenon didn't even really take off in Tokyo until maybe 3 or 4 years ago. It's clear that the city is still trying to digest and cope with the sudden flood of enthusiastic participants in the Halloween craze. I know businesses are affected. Traffic is hindered. Heck, you'll even catch confused, distressed salarymen trying to wade through the crowds on the way home from a long day at the office. (hehe)
I truly hope this celebration continues in Japan. With the increased number of police officers on site last year, it appears that the authorities are trying to wrap their heads around the new, wild, yearly celebration in the streets. It has to be good for the Japanese, though - having such a colorful outlet for expression and creativity.
To cap it off, here's lively video of last year's celebration, created by IceBlock Films. They are a production house I work with here in Tokyo, and they shoot the Halloween event each year. - if you are in Tokyo, grab a costume and let me know! I'll be hitting the streets probably Sunday night. I can't wait to see this year's creativity.
