
Last weekend in Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture, thousands of hardcore cosplayers and Halloween lovers descended on the streets of Kawasaki City to take part in the Kawasaki Halloween Parade 2013, the 17th of its kind and Japan’s largest public parade dedicated to the Western festival.
The 1.5 km course was flanked by food stalls and specially decorated shops catering to the tourists and locals vying to get the best shots of the coolest outfits, and despite the somewhat inclement weather last weekend, thousands turned up to witness and take part in the event, proving once and for all that Halloween has most definitely found a permanent home in Japan.
We weren’t able to make it over to Kanagawa Prefecture to check out the parade for ourselves, but thankfully Japan’s smartphone-loving Twitter army came to the rescue and supplied us with dozens of great pictures, so let’s sit back, relax, and enjoy the parade in photo form!
▼ Shoulder-to-shoulder ghouls, ghosts and sexy vampires.
Photo: KAZU
▼ Predator came out to scare some kids.
Photo: stk_aktk

Photo: Jasmine_Makoto
▼ The “No More!” anti-piracy guys had a baby with an Instagram camera
Photo: Hazelhasi
▼ Keepin’ it classic
Photo: Akijok
Photo: Saorikalavinka
▼ And there were of course plenty of masked heroes to meet!
Photo: 9923kawab
Photo: _Je3_
Photo: Syun_ta_x
▼ Is this the Free! team we see here!? Either way this is amazing.
Photo: Komayo_j_u_r
▼ This Mario Kart group’s outfits are simply inspired.
Photo: Komayo_j_u_r
▼ Hayao Miyazaki inhabits a handful of his own creations. Now that’s scary!
Photo: yoneemon
Photo: mao_block
▼ Cute Japanese Alice and pals.
Photo: a_seara45
▼ We didn’t expect to see you guys here!

Photo: Simpsons333
Photo: Mask_jpn
▼ Good to see the pups getting involved too!
Photo: Mask_jpn
▼ It looks like these girls only eat right legs…
Photo: Mask_jpn
▼ “Halloween is fun,” writes this Twitter user. Yes, yes it is.
Photo: tattoo724
Photo: Momocky1989
Photo: DarkKnightArmer
▼ Why go as a comic book character when you can go as the entire comic book?
Photo: Chipdele0904
▼ It’s a giant Umaibou corn snack!
Photo: Slotgonta
▼ The Attack on Titan crew even showed up!
Photo: vhsic_mkll
▼ And here’s a nice close-up shot

Photo: Maejimaeji
▼ A battle-hardened stormtrooper
Photo: h_tsukago
▼ Ol’ Spidey’s looking a bit bored without anyone to fight
Photo: Kusumin_rei
▼ Over-protective boyfriends?
Photo: Moon_913
▼ The gang from Castle in the Sky looking smiley!
Photo: hanagasakutoki
▼ Killer(s) bee
Photo: hanagasakutoki
▼ Zombie military police.

Photo: Macoto_kato
▼ At least someone remembered to keep Halloween scary!
Photo: Oidonbx
Just two more days until it’s officially halloween, boys and girls. We hope you’ve been making the most of the chance to get creepy!




























Halloween parade invaded by the Dark Side with marching band stromtroopers and Star Wars floats
Costumes from everyday life on parade once more in “Jimi Halloween 2021”
Hyakki Yagyo: Night Parade of 100 Demons scares tourists in Kyoto【Videos】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
What did Shibuya really look like after the crowds on New Year’s Day?
McDonald’s unveils latest Black Burger – the Spicy Korean Burger 【Video】
Melon topped with ice cream: two great Hokkaido tastes in one crazily delicious package
Japan’s new difficult-to-drink-from beer glass protects your liver, but it’s a brutal experience
7-Eleven’s edible cat paw proves Japanese convenience store sweets are on a whole other level
Pikachu-ear engagement rings and Pokémon wedding rings for him and her can now be yours【Photos】
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Japan Super Budget Dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at beef bowl chain Sukiya?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Leave a Reply