Sadao Makuza wrote to us about Halloween in Japan…

Halloween here is mainly a sales strategy in department stores and supermarkets. Children only go trick-or-treating if it’s arranged in school or with family and friends.

Halloween first appeared in Japan in the 1970’s by the Kiddy Land Company store in Tokyo to promote Halloween goods. In 1983, the first Halloween parade was held to help Halloween sales.  In 1997, another parade started in front of the Kawasaki JR Railway Station with about 3,000 people wearing costumes.  Nowadays more than 100,000 people go to watch that parade.

You can see a video of the parade and the cool costumes people wear here…

On the Ogasawara islands, located about 1,000km from Tokyo, many Americans and Europeans live there. Halloween is a custom that’s celebrated every year. Many little children enjoy trick-or-treating.  Also since 2005, in Hakuba village, Halloween events take place with European and American residents and also many tourists on the last Sunday of October. Adults and children there enjoy trick-or-treating, Jack-o-lantern contests, and costume contests.

In my own experience this week, I came across the following Jack-o-lantern Sushi at the supermarket. It was made with rice and Norwegian salmon.

My view and opinion about Halloween in Japan

I think Halloween customs are going to take root here in Japan just like Christmas (but without any religious meanings). And also companies will utilize the holiday to boost sales.

But in regards to trick-or-treating by children, this won’t be so tolerated among Japanese people. Because most Japanese people don’t like tricks by children, I think. If you did any graffiti, you would be arrested with the charge of damaging property. I think “trick-or-treating” is available for small groups such as among school friends, or their families to enjoy. 

The Ministry of “Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology” is now recommending starting teaching English to younger grades in elementary school.   So pupils will learn about European and American cultures such as Christian-related customs in English learning classes. It is a quite felicitous reform I think. I hope they keep Japanese traditional customs and playing too.

Thank you for reading.

Sadao

Thank you for sharing Sadao! –Mama Lisa