Kawasaki Halloween is one of the largest Halloween celebrations in Japan, with numerous events towards the end of the month. Of course, the main draw is the parade, which was held just this past Sunday.
But this year’s parade featured something special, with cosplayers dressed as their favorite Star Wars characters. The Aomori Star Wars nebuta floats were even there, making their first appearance in the Kanto area! But the perhaps the coolest part was the stormtrooper marching band! Check out all the awesome photos below!
▼ Stormtroopers can play music better than they can aim…
[tweet https://twitter.com/marchingbu/status/658603693374226432 align=center]This year’s Kawasaki Halloween Parade featured a wide range of Star Wars characters and floats, but for us the most awesome part was the stormtrooper marching band, which played the Star Wars theme song as well as the Imperial march. They were also joined by 100 people in Star Wars costumes, including families set on enjoying all the Star Wars fever kicked up by the soon-to-be-released new film.
[tweet https://twitter.com/shinsuke0330/status/658193752511479809 align=center hide_media=’true’]
Though this is hardly the first time we’ve seen the Star Wars nebuta floats from Aomori, it is the first time they’ve appeared in the Kanto area. Fortunately, it looks like they survived the long trip to Kanagawa without sustaining any damage!
[tweet https://twitter.com/SAWSUI/status/658175347729428480 align=center hide_media=’true’] [tweet https://twitter.com/bcgjawa/status/658257390773497856 align=center hide_thread=’true’]
The parade apparently began with a ceremonial ribbon cutting—but unlike the kind you might see outside a newly opened supermarket or bank, this one involved light sabers with the sound effects played through the PA system. Fortunately, no one lost any hands!
▼ Kyodo News video of the parade with light saber ribbon cutting
According to ITMedia, this was the largest Kawasaki Halloween Parade yet with attendance topping 120,000 people. The Force is certainly strong with whomever organized everything!
Finally, here are a few shots of some of the cosplayers at the parade.
[tweet https://twitter.com/shinenori01/status/658209590983524352 align=center] [tweet https://twitter.com/grove_tokyo/status/658155155561385985 align=center hide_media=’true’]
If there was ever any concern that the upcoming film wouldn’t be well-received in Japan, we think those concerns can be laid to rest now. It’s clear that Star Wars fever knows no national boundaries!
Sources: ITMedia
Top image: Twitter/@shinsuke0330, Twitter/@SAWSUI
Aomori’s fabled Nebuta Festival 2015 to feature Star Wars floats
The Star Wars folding screens just unveiled at Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Temple are amazing
Annual New Year’s Eve singing competition Kohaku will be invaded by Star Wars
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
Ministop brings bulked up Okinawan-style rice balls to mainland Japan for one week only
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan adds new Customisation Bar to stores, with free ways to hack your food and drink orders
Amid foreign sex tourist rise, Japanese government considering outlawing paying for prostitution
Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】