According to the Japan Anniversary Association, the market size for "Halloween" in Japan in 2018 was estimated to be around 1.24 trillion yen. "Christmas" boasts a massive market size of between 6 and 7 trillion yen. Following it in terms of market size is "Halloween", competing closely with "Valentine's Day". This year, due to changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the market is expected to expand even further! So, when did Halloween become such a big deal in Japan? In this article, we'll explore the origins of Halloween, how it became so deeply rooted in Japan, and introduce the Halloween events of this year.

Halloween traces back to the ancient Celts over 2,000 years ago. The Celts lived in various parts of Europe, including Ireland and Scotland. For the Celts, the new year began on November 1, with the year ending on October 31. This date was a time to celebrate the autumn harvest and believed to be a period when the boundary between the living world and the spirit world was blurred. Spirits of the dead were thought to visit their families. To protect themselves from harmful spirits, they would dress in spooky costumes and light bonfires. Over time, the ancient Celtic traditions were absorbed by Christian culture, but the October 31st festival endured, evolving into what we know today as Halloween. It's worth noting that Halloween originated from a pagan celebration and is not considered a Christian event.

In the U.S., Halloween is celebrated as a secular event. People decorate their homes with horror themes, throw home parties, and enjoy dressing up. The way Halloween is celebrated in Japan today has largely been influenced by America.

Initially, Halloween was celebrated in Europe and the U.S. By the 1970s, however, it started to gain recognition in Japan. The first significant Halloween event was the Kiddyland Halloween Parade in Harajuku in October 1983.

▪️ 1983 Kiddyland Halloween Parade Kiddyland had been selling Halloween merchandise since the 1970s. In 1983, to boost sales, a public Halloween parade was held in front of their Harajuku store. However, many participants were foreigners due to the low awareness of Halloween among the Japanese at the time.

▪️ 1997 Disneyland Halloween Event In 1997, Tokyo Disneyland began hosting Halloween events. Pumpkins were displayed everywhere, and visitors dressed up.

▪️ 1997 Kawasaki Halloween Parade That same year, Kawasaki held its Halloween parade. By 2019, this had become a famous event, attracting over 100,000 participants.

▪️ 2000s and the Entry of Candy Manufacturers By the 2000s, candy manufacturers also started participating in Halloween. Sweets with colorful orange and black packaging, featuring motifs like pumpkins and ghosts, became widely available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and Don Quijote stores.

▪️ "Harajuku Omotesando Hello Halloween Pumpkin Parade 2023" Date: October 29 (Sun), 11:00-16:30 Website

▪️ Tokyo Disneyland Resort Halloween Event (Chiba) Date: September 15 (Fri) - October 31 (Tue) Website

▪️ Universal Studios Japan Halloween Event (Osaka) Date: September 8 (Fri) - November 5 (Sun) Website

▪️ Huis Ten Bosch Halloween Festival (Nagasaki: Sasebo) Date: September 15 (Fri) - November 5 (Sun) Website

Note: Some events may require reservations in advance. Please check the official websites for details.

One of the significant differences between Halloween in Japan and other countries is its secular nature in Japan. There's less emphasis on religious or ancient customs. While "trick or treating" is popular among kids abroad, in Japan, adults often partake in the costume fun. Cute outfits or those inspired by anime characters are prevalent. Halloween in Japan is a blend of foreign traditions and Japanese pop culture, and its unique evolution is set to continue. Let's enjoy Halloween in 2023 with Japan's vibrant pop culture!