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
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
Don’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
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
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa