October

Halloween isn’t as big a deal in Japan as it is in the U.S., meaning you won’t see places filled with jack-o-lanterns, witches’ broomsticks, or cobweb decorations. However, Halloween has become a thing over the past couple of decades. Japan began to embrace Halloween when Tokyo Disneyland hosted its first Halloween party in 2000. Ever since, Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Osaka have usually held fright-fest events. Elsewhere, there are often smaller-scale events and street parties; plus, some people celebrate the occasion privately in their own homes. Locals have given the festival a uniquely Japanese twist. There is no trick-or-treating in Japan — the big thing here is dressing up in spooky outfits or as Manga or Anime characters. Many neighborhoods hold street parties on October 31. You’ll also find subway trains decked out in Halloween decorations, encouraging people to hold festive train parties. Although they’re not as ubiquitous as in the U.S., you may also spot Halloween decorations in streets and shops throughout October. Here are a few suggestions for how to spend Halloween in Kumamoto. Halloween Events in Kumamoto Kumamoto doesn’t usually host the large-scale parties you find in places like Tokyo and Osaka. However, the city does…