The Washington Post has a feature up on their website about Halloween in Japan. The article’s main focus is on Yokai, the Japanese tradition of "otherworldly" monsters, and includes plenty of examples.  

Read it here: The Washington Post 

It also includes a neat video. Check it out.

As the video explained, Japanese don’t go trick-or-treating. Where I lived, outside of Nagoya, there wasn’t much Halloween spirit at all. Not even in the stores. There may have been a Halloween party or two over the years that I heard about, but they were initiated through the foreigners at the office where I worked. 

Perhaps that explains why Halloween seems like it’s a bigger deal in Tokyo. More foreigners around to spread the word, and so people (or at least the stores) get more into the spirit. 

That brings me to the “Halloween Train” phenomenon. Every year, around Halloween, huge numbers of people (80% foreigners) get dressed up, some get hammered, and all get on a Yamanote line train. There are tones of videos up on youtube about it. 

However, I must say that it appears that the locals aren’t too pleased about it. JR is posting signs saying that “gatherings” or parties are not allowed on the train, and are beefing up security. 

Take a look at this

Alex