
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】
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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