The most famous Halloween parade in all of Japan is the Kawasaki Halloween Parade. The 24th edition of the festivities will take place online in 2020, making it a world-wide event. This year’s theme is “Cyberspace Costumes”.
Note: Photos are from past years’ in-person events.
How to participate in the costume contest
Participants from around the world are welcomed to make a video (30 seconds or less), either by themselves or in a group, dressed up in any costume. Then, post the video on social media (TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) with the hashtags: #oneworldhalloween and #kawahallo2020. On the official site, participants must also complete the entry form and upload the video.
To be entered in the costume contest, videos must be submitted from Thursday, October 1st to Saturday, October 25th until 23:59 JST.
Awards and prizes
Judges will bestow the event’s famed “Halloween Award” scoring on originality, quality and enjoyment.
The grand prize winner will receive is ¥500,000, among other smaller prizes. There will also be prizes for the runners-up.
Results will be broadcast live on October 31st on the official site.
Kawasaki Halloween 2020 is a truly international event and participants around the world are encouraged to join in on the fun!
Virtual Halloween Parade Surprise
In past years, KawaHallo’s main event is the Halloween Parade, which sees 2,000 participants and about 120,000 spectators along the route. Organizers are touting this year’s virtual parade as even better than the real thing, with a mysterious special surprise. But you’ll have to tune in on October 31st to find out more!
<!–Participants in fun and creative costumes will parade along the 1.5 km course in the vicinity of JR Kawasaki Station and the nearby La Citadella shopping center. Around 120,000 spectators are expected.
Participating in the parade + ticket info
Watching the parade is free, although you can get a ticket for prime spectator seating for ¥3,000.
If you want to take part in the parade yourself, there is a cost of ¥1,000 per person. To join, you must be at least high-school age or above, and wear a costume. You can buy tickets online. Organizers are accepting a maximum of 2,000 participants to the main parade—so get your tickets before they run out.
Following the parade, there will be an award ceremony (with a ¥500,000 grand prize for best costume!), and an afterparty DJ cruise that goes from 6 pm to 8 pm (¥6,000, drinks and snacks included). You must be 20 or older to join the cruise.
In case you have any questions, contact the venue at: halloween@citta-ent.co.jp (but note that you cannot purchase tickets directly from the venue).
Other events
The kids’ “runway” event takes place the day before (Oct 26) at 11 am, 12:15 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:45 pm and 4 pm. Entry is ¥500/group (child + max. 2 guardians).
Movie screenings (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Hellraiser, and others) will also take place on October 26th. Advance tickets are ¥1,500 and on-the-day tickets are ¥2,000
From 2021 onwards, the organizers decided to stop organizing the event. Ostensibly it’s because of the “bad press” halloween has been getting in Japan but it’s just as likely that uncertainty around COVID-19 has made it difficult to run.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
