Remembering Shibuya Halloween: My Night at Tokyo’s Wildest Street Party
In honor of Halloween, I wanted to look back on one of my favorite memories from my last trip to Japan — the night I found myself in the middle of the Shibuya Halloween party in Tokyo.
Imagine a sea of costumed people flooding the streets around Shibuya Crossing, lights flashing, signs glowing, and an atmosphere filled with energy, laughter, and creativity. It was easily the biggest and most unforgettable Halloween party I’ve ever experienced- and probably, my favorite Tokyo experience overall, so far.
A Brief History of Shibuya Halloween
For those unfamiliar, Shibuya Halloween started in the early 2000s as a spontaneous street gathering. There wasn’t an official organizer — just young people showing up in costume around Shibuya Crossing, one of Tokyo’s most famous landmarks.
As social media and tourism grew in the 2010s, so did the event. By the mid-decade, it had exploded into a massive phenomenon. Between 2016 and 2018, crowd estimates ranged from 60,000 to 70,000 people filling the streets of Shibuya.
But with that many people came challenges. In the late 2010s, city officials introduced a public drinking ban to help manage the chaos. This, likely in response to an incident where partygoers overturned a truck the year before. Then, after the tragic crowd crush in Seoul’s Itaewon district in 2022, authorities became even more cautious about large, unregulated gatherings.
Today, Shibuya Halloween is technically discouraged — the city enforces restrictions on public drinking and smoking, and on sale of alcohol during Halloween week, and police heavily patrol the area. I’ve even read that scooter and e-bike services will be suspended this year as well. That said, there is nothing really preventing people from going to the neighborhood, and so its no surprise that Instagram has plenty of images of people continuing to attend. However, the event (if you can still call it that) appears to have largely faded, leaving patrons to seek out smaller, organized events and club parties.
My Experience at Shibuya Halloween
I attended Shibuya Halloween in 2016, during the event’s peak years — though it honestly happened by accident. It was the last night of our Tokyo trip, and my friend and I were looking for something to do before our early flight the next morning. We decided to head to Shibuya, not realizing what night it was.
When we stepped off the train, we immediately knew something was happening. The station was pretty packed, and it got even more crowded once we were outside by the Hachiko statue. By the time we reached the famous scramble crossing, we were shoulder-to-shoulder with the people around us.
It was obvious that something was happening, just based on all the people who were crowding around the windows in Shibuya Station.
Despite the density, it was surprisingly orderly — no pushing or shoving, just everyone waiting patiently for the lights to change, while police corralled the crowds with light sticks and megaphones. The moment the signal turned, a wave of people surged across the intersection- the ambient sound slowly growing from a low rumble to loud chatter, laughter, and music.
Crossing into Shibuya at that moment felt electric, and any tension I may have felt quickly turned into pure joy. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling, taking photos, showing off costumes — everything from cheap store-bought outfits to elaborate cosplay-level creations. As someone who gets fired up about photography and exploration, it was a dream to attend.
A Photographer’s Perspective
My friend and I weren’t in costume, of course, but that didn’t matter. The fun was simply in being there — walking through the crowd, taking photos, and soaking in the energy.
What really stood out to me was how open and friendly everyone was about being photographed. I tend to be a bit hesitant about approaching people for a photo, but at Shibuya Halloween, that hesitation disappeared. I feel like most people understand that being seen and documented is part of the experience of being in costume, and so events like this make it easier for me to approach people and ask for a photo.
Honestly, the number of awesome costumes makes it hard for me not to ask. I’m a huge fan of pop culture, so naturally, cosplay is something that strikes a cord with me. Being able to capture an IRL character (especially when executed well) is worth the little bit of discomfort or social awkwardness that comes with the exchange.
There’s something incredibly fun about a bunch of Friezas and Pikachus hanging out together in Tokyo.
From a photography standpoint, it was incredible — a wealth of amazing subjects and lighting conditions that didn’t fight me. As far as subjects go, every corner offered a new scene: costumed characters posing under city lights, friends laughing in front of local businesses, spontaneous mashup circles forming in the middle of the crowd. I feel like I got something great no matter where I pointed my camera, and since there was a ton of light, I didn’t have to worry too much about settings- just point and shoot.
Reflections on the Event’s End
It’s strange to think that this same event is now essentially gone. Again, it appears people are still attending, but there’s no doubt that the local government is trying to kill it. It’s sad, because looking back, nothing about that night felt unsafe or unruly. The police presence kept things running smoothly, and the crowd — while massive — was positive and cooperative.
I completely understand the need for public safety and organization, but I can’t help but feel nostalgic for what Shibuya Halloween represented — a spontaneous, creative expression of Tokyo’s holiday culture. It was a little chaotic, yes, but in the best possible way.
Haunted Little Tokyo: A Local Alternative
These days, I’m at a different stage in life — family, responsibilities, and a little one at home mean late-night adventures like that are on hold for now. But I still find myself craving that same festive energy.
Here in Los Angeles, there’s an event called Haunted Little Tokyo, which I’ve always wanted to check out. It’s a much smaller Halloween celebration centered around LA’s Little Tokyo district, but from the photos I’ve seen, it gives off a similar vibe — costumes, street energy, and that mix of Japanese culture and community celebration. I won’t be able to check it out any time soon, and so I can’t say if it would scratch the same itch. But I at least did want to mention it as something local to consider if you’re interested.
Closing Thoughts
Looking back, that night in Shibuya remains one of my favorite travel memories — a time when Tokyo’s creativity and humanity were on full display. I hope that, one day, the event will return in its full glory — and that I’ll be fortunate enough to attend again.
Until then, I’ll keep revisiting my photos and remembering what it felt like to be part of that incredible night. Please take a look at the rest of the shots from that night below!
If you’ve experienced Shibuya Halloween yourself, drop a comment or share your photos — I’d love to see them. You can find me on Instagram and Threads [@digitiz3r_], and keep an eye out for my upcoming YouTube channel, where I’ll be sharing more photography stories like this one.
Happy Halloween — and here’s to the nights that remind us how creative and connected we can be.
