
We spent a night out on the town in Tokyo’s Shibuya this Halloween weekend to grab some incredible photos of cosplaying revelers.
The Shibuya area, known for its nightlife that skews towards ludicrously drunk 20-somethings, has become increasinly inundated with cosplaying partiers each Halloween season. The festivities usually kick off two weekends or so before Halloween itself, culminating on whichever Saturday is closest to the official holiday with a veritable horde of costumed revelers looking to show off their often elaborate, hand-made outfits. And this being Japan, the native home of cosplay, for every one shoddy, store-bought “sexy (insert noun)” kit, there’s someone sporting a meticulously handcrafted ensemble that would look perfectly at home on a big-budget movie set.
Over the years, Halloween in Shibuya has grown into a can’t-miss attraction. So, we paired up with Tokyo-based photographer Cal Widdall to scout the streets this last Saturday for the most eye-popping costumes. Enjoy!
▼ There were many, many Jack Sparrows
▼ Jack Sparrow photobomb
▼ Is that you, Jared Leto?
▼ Obligatory Deadpool shot
▼ One Piece getups were obviously popular (as were this man’s abs)
▼ Cheap but effective costume idea: Tengu Businessman
▼ (Obligatory Dragonball costume shot)
Were you in town for this year’s Shibuya Halloween bash? Share your costume or best pics in the comments below!
Images courtesy of Cal Widdall




























Shibuya Halloween 2019: Verbal clashes, cosplay, and pumpkin meerkats【Pics & Videos】
The beautiful cosplayers of Tokyo’s Halloween night Shibuya street party【Photos】
Cosplaying taxis with monster drivers to offer free rides to cosplayers in Shibuya this Halloween
Shibuya Halloween cosplay cleanup crew wants your help this year!
The beautiful, awesome cosplayers of Tokyo’s OTHER Halloween hot spot: Ikebukuro
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Date handsome cockroaches in a new dating sim from one of Japan’s leading pest control companies
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
Bears appear at one of Kyoto Prefecture’s most popular tourist spots[Video]
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
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
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Tokyo’s Shibuya bans public drinking for Halloween, and here’s the affected area【Map】
Shibuya celebrates Halloween 2014 with crazy costumes and huge crowds
Tokyo Halloween 2015: Our reporters’ collection of photos from their night in Shibuya【Photos】
Shibuya Halloween event turns ugly with toppled truck, perverts, and upskirt photography
The best cosplayers from Day Two of the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2023
Tokyo’s Shibuya gets into Halloween spirit with warnings against public drinking and rowdiness
Tokyo’s number-one Halloween party spot asks people to stay away this year
Shibuya Halloween: 9 people arrested for theft, assault, and groping【Pics & Videos】
What’s it like in Shibuya on Halloween this year?
Understated costumes celebrated at “Jimi Halloween” event in Tokyo 【Photos】
Shibuya Halloween 2018 cosplay costume collection【Pics & Videos】
Huge crowds gather for Halloween in Japan despite calls to stay home【Photos】
Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood bans public Halloween drinking following mayhem
The must-have item to avoid being a jerk at Tokyo’s biggest Halloween street party
Tokyo Disneyland/Disney Sea announce cosplay rules, allowed characters for Halloween 2019