Bake Neko (Supernatural Cat) Festival

Taking place on the main street of Kagurazaka, this is a Halloween parade with a difference–you must be dressed as a cat. That’s the only requirement–participation is open to all.

The reasoning is that the area was (near) the home of the cat from the Natsume Soseki novel “I am a Cat” and apparently people like cats.

Although events run from 10am until 5pm, the main “Bakeneko parade” takes place from 2pm to 3pm, followed by the “Anya Odori” (presumably a dance performance) from 3pm to 4pm. If you want to take part in the parade, you need to register before 1:30pm.

So put on your best Cats™ make-up and faux fur for a prowl around Kagurazaka.

(Greg Lane)